What are the regulations for buying a second car?

[AsherMarie]

Chinese law does not limit the maximum number of cars a person can own, so there are no regulations or provisions restricting the purchase of a second car. However, in certain cities where car purchase quotas are required, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, it is stipulated that each individual can only register one motor vehicle under their name in the city. According to Article 9 of the "Interim Provisions on the Regulation of the Number of Passenger Cars in Beijing," individuals applying for a car purchase quota must meet the following conditions: 1. Be a registered resident of the city. 2. Be an active-duty military officer or armed police officer stationed in Beijing. 3. Be a Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan resident, overseas Chinese, or foreign national holding a valid ID and having resided in Beijing for at least one year. 4. Be a non-local resident holding a valid "Beijing Work Residence Permit." 5. Be a non-local resident holding a valid city residence permit and having continuously paid social insurance and personal income tax in the city for the past five years (inclusive).

[LilaDella]

When buying a second car, you need to consider the city's license plate quota policy first. For example, I live in Beijing, where you have to participate in a lottery to get a license plate. I applied twice before finally winning the draw, and the process was quite a hassle. There's also the issue of parking spaces—my residential complex only provides one fixed parking spot, so an additional car means paying several hundred yuan more each month to rent another space. Insurance must be purchased separately, and the premium could be about 30% higher. While alternating between two cars for daily use is more convenient—like using one for commuting and the other for errands—maintenance costs double. I recommend checking the local traffic app or consulting the vehicle management office in advance to avoid unnecessary hassle.

[LeHaven]

When buying a second car, besides the initial cost, long-term expenses must be carefully considered. Doubled insurance premiums are a given, adding several hundred dollars monthly for two vehicles. Don't overlook maintenance—two sets of tires and regular oil changes for both cars are necessary. Banks scrutinize credit history more strictly for loans, and some models offer fewer discounts. However, the advantage lies in distributing usage pressure—one car for daily commutes and another for family use can extend each vehicle's lifespan. When budgeting, I prefer listing monthly expenses upfront, detailing fuel and parking costs to prevent overspending from affecting other aspects of life.

[SanRemington]

The key is policy differences. In cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen with license plate restrictions, buying a car requires waiting for a lottery or auction. In Shanghai, a license plate auction can cost nearly 100,000 yuan. Under the new odd-even license plate traffic restriction rules, having multiple cars doesn't guarantee daily use. The new environmental policies exempt some purchase taxes for new energy used cars, but charging pile installation may also face restrictions. I've compared official websites across regions and found second-tier cities are more lenient. In short, download local traffic apps in advance to check restriction calendars and ensure compliance with regulations.