BMW, Mercedes, VW, Audi and Porsche are all made in Germany (Stuttgart, in the south, is the country’s luxury car manufacturing hub). There are workshops across Berlin. One of the biggest is Tip Autoteile, which has three outlets in the inner city ring. ATU is another large operation, with 29 workshops across town, plus an online shop for accessories (delivery is free when you spend more than €50, and goods are returnable within the first two weeks). Motorcycle owners should head to Hein Gericke in Prenzlauer Berg and Wilmersdorf, which stocks everything from helmets and leathers to bike accessories.

Second-hand cars are often comparatively cheap. Some new car dealers also sell second-hand vehicles, and online car markets, such as www.kfz.de, can be useful.

Thanks to a boom in GDR memorabilia, the Trabant (Trabi to locals) has gone from being a Communist relic to a sought-after accessory, and you’ll see all manner of models (including convertibles) repainted and polished in Berlin. To experience a trip back in time, see details on Trabi Safari tours.