Tips for Buying a Car in Switzerland

August 4, 2026 - Daniel Dreier

What should you consider when buying a car in Switzerland? These tips from moneyland.ch will help you get the best deal and avoid ripoffs.

Whether you are a passionate motorist or just need something to get around in, buying a car is normally a big expense. In this guide, moneyland.ch offers tips and useful information for anyone thinking about buying a car in Switzerland.

1. Used cars are often a better deal

The value of a car drastically falls during its first two years on the road, even if it incurs very little mileage or other wear and tear. A car that has been on the road for three years will often cost just half of its new price tag.

2. Prioritize quality

The cost of maintenance and repairs at Swiss garages is high compared to many other countries. In some cases, the cost of a major repair can exceed the cost of the car itself – especially in the case of older, used cars. For this reason, it is beneficial to focus on makes and models that have a reputation for being reliable and requiring few repairs.

3. Compare prices

The prices of used cars with the exact same make, model, and mileage can easily vary by 20 percent or even more. Comparing offers is one of the easiest ways to lower the cost of buying a car. Online platforms like Autoscout24 and Autolina, among others, make it easy to find and compare offers for used cars that match your exact specifications.

4. Have the car examined before you buy

Honest dealers and private sellers will generally comply with a request to have the car examined by a mechanic before you buy it. The examination can be done at a garage of your choice, or at a TCS technical center.

5. Look for cars with guarantees

Most Swiss dealers give you service plans and repair guarantees when you buy a new car. Some dealers offer guarantees for used cars as well. In both cases, guarantees remain valid for a certain amount of time or mileage from the date of purchase. Getting a car with a guarantee greatly reduces the risk of having to pay for unexpected repairs. But it is important to carefully check the terms and conditions of the guarantee so that you understand exactly which problems are covered.

Having a guarantee makes it possible to get the car examined even if you are unable to do this before you buy. Having the car checked as soon as possible after you buy enables you to claim on the guarantee before it expires.

6. Buy from reputable dealers

The Swiss civil code gives you the right to demand compensation or even to return a car to the seller if you discover problems with the motor or drivetrain that were not advertised by the seller before you made the purchase. This is true for both commercial dealers and private sellers, and applies even if the seller was not aware of the problem. It also applies even if you have signed a purchase agreement stating that you are buying the car without a guarantee, unless the purchase agreement makes clear mention of the problems.

But in practice, claiming these rights is far from straightforward, and generally requires the services of a law firm. For cheaper cars, in particular, the cost of opening a lawsuit can quickly surpass the cost of the car itself. Because of that, it is advisable to only purchase cars from established car dealers with a reputation to protect. Buying cars from private individuals – with the possible exception of people you know and trust – is generally risky.

Getting legal insurance that covers contract law before buying a car can be beneficial, especially if you plan to buy an expensive vehicle. You can compare the cost of this insurance using the interactive legal insurance comparison on moneyland.ch.

7. Insist on a purchase agreement

Having a contract that clearly defines the terms and conditions of the sale is very important. Swiss car dealers typically provide the purchase agreement themselves. It is very important that you study this agreement carefully before you sign. Look out for possible mentions of existing problems, and also pay careful attention to exclusions and liability waivers.

If you are buying a used car from a private individual or from a dealer that does not have a predefined purchase agreement, then you should consider creating your own using a template like the ones offered by TCS, among others. For the contract to be valid, it must be signed by both you and the seller.

8. Saving is cheaper than borrowing

Saving up towards buying a car is always cheaper than buying a car using a personal loan. Besides avoiding interest charges, saving up also lets you earn interest on your savings until you buy. Depending on the price of the car, saving instead of borrowing can save you thousands of francs.

If you have to use a personal loan, make sure to use the most affordable loan you can get. The interactive personal loan comparison on moneyland.ch makes it easy to compare offers based on the minimum and maximum interest rates charged by Swiss lenders.

Leasing a car almost always works out more expensive than both buying a car in cash and using a personal loan. You can learn more in the guide to the costs of car leasing.

9. Consider importing

Importing a car from a neighboring country can be worth considering, especially if you live near the border and want to buy a new or relatively new car. The reason for this is that prices for certain vehicles can, in some cases, be much lower in neighboring countries.

When you import a private car into Switzerland, you pay both the Swiss value-added tax and a four-percent customs duty for vehicles. Together, these taxes come to just over 12 percent of the car’s value. In exchange, you can reclaim the foreign value-added tax (VAT) when you import the car to Switzerland.

There are Swiss car dealers that specialize in buying and importing vehicles from neighboring countries. Using these dealers is generally simpler than importing a car yourself, but you pay a fee for the convenience.

10. Avoid exotic models

Unless you are an automobile hobbyist, motor enthusiast, or classic car collector, limiting your choice of cars to popular, standard makes and models is advisable.

Driving a vehicle that is widely used in Switzerland means your choice of garages is bigger, and spare parts are more readily available. Resultingly, you will have more price competition, and will generally pay less. More exotic cars often require costly, specialized servicing and repairs, and parts may have to be imported.

11. Calculate the total cost of owning a car

The price you pay for a car is just part of the total cost of owning and using it. The most important costs to account for are:

The price you pay for the car itself: If you already know how long you plan to keep your car and how much mileage you will put on it, you can subtract the price you will likely get when you resell it. Tools like the ones offered by Autoscout24 and TCS Eurotax can serve as a reference point for finding the car’s future value.
Car insurance: You can find the cost using the car insurance comparison. For newer cars, it is advisable to get comprehensive or semi-comprehensive car insurance in addition to mandatory third-party liability car insurance, which adds to the insurance costs. You can find useful tips for cutting the cost of car insurance here. In addition to the cost of insurance premiums, it is also advisable to account for the deductible you would have to cover yourself if an incident were to occur.
Road taxes: Some cantons have online calculators that let you find out how much road tax you would have to pay for a given vehicle. You should also add the cost of annual highway toll stickers or digital certificates.
Parking: If you need to rent a parking space, then this cost needs to be accounted for. Additionally, if you frequently require paid parking away from home, you should also estimate your annual spending for parking meters.
Servicing: The easiest way to find out how much you are likely to pay for each car service is to contact nearby garages and ask for a quote for the specific car in question. It is worth noting that car dealers may include a complimentary service package that is valid for a certain amount of mileage or a certain time frame. Service packages are commonly offered with brand new cars.
Repairs: There is no sure way to know in advance whether a car will have a major breakdown, so it is important to budget for this possibility. New cars often come with a guarantee that covers certain breakdowns, and some dealers offer these for used cars as well.
Fuel: Refueling or charging based on current pump or charging prices in your area, and on your expected mileage.
Financing: If you will use a personal loan to buy the car, add the annual cost of interest charges to your total costs as well. You can use the interactive personal loan comparison on moneyland.ch to find out how much you are likely to pay in total interest charges based on the size of the loan and the term over which you will repay it.
Cleaning: Although this is not a significant cost, paying for regular car washes can add a cost of up to several hundred francs per year.
Road traffic fines: Even very careful drivers are not immune to speeding fines and parking tickets. Fines can easily add a cost of several hundred francs per year.
Roadside assistance: Getting roadside assistance insurance from your insurance provider or through a motor club membership is generally advisable. The insurance premiums or membership fees should be accounted for in the total cost of owning a car.
Motorist legal insurance: While not a must, having motorist legal insurance can be beneficial in some cases. If you need this insurance, then you must account for the insurance premiums along with other costs of owning a car. You can find the cost using the legal insurance comparison on moneyland.ch.

It is helpful to find the total annual cost, accounting for all the different cost points. You can divide this by 12 to find the monthly cost, and multiply it by the number of years for which you will keep the car to find the total cost.

If the total costs of owning a certain car do not comfortably fit into your budget, then you should consider getting a cheaper car, or using an alternative means of transportation.

12. Consider alternatives

Before spending any money on a car at all, it is helpful to assess your needs and consider alternatives.

Public transportation: Using public transportation can sometimes work out cheaper than owning a car. This is especially true if you usually travel short distances, if you generally travel alone or only travel with children, or if you have expensive tastes in cars. The main disadvantage is that even in large Swiss cities, public transportation may not be available at night.
Rental cars: If you live near rental car agencies, or are willing to hire cars from private individuals over sharing economy platforms, then renting could be a cheaper alternative, in some cases. That is especially true if you only really need a car several times a month.
Car sharing: As with rental cars, car sharing services like Mobility are worth considering if you would only use a car occasionally.
Car plans and long-term rentals: The long-term cost of using a car plan is almost always higher than that of owning a car. But the advantage of car plans is that you know nearly all of the costs in advance, which makes it easier to budget.