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How to buy a car

Autokauf

Buying a car in Switzerland is a fairly straightforward process. You can expect to pay higher car insurance, high taxes on 4×4 and large capacity engines, higher servicing costs than you’re used to but wait for it. Switzerland does have lower fuel prices than most of the rest of Europe, so it’s not all bad.

 

What are my options for buying a car?

New or second hand from a main dealer; second hand from a used car garage; second hand from a fellow motorist; import from another country.

You will have to wait until you get your residence permit before you can register a car here, but there are companies which can help you out with interim car rental (which does come at a cost, but it’s nice to know it is there if you need it).

 

How about a car subscription?

A car subscription is a valid alternative to buying your own vehicle or can be a good interim solution for the time until you have your residence permit and your dream car is available.“Emil Frey move offers” pure driving pleasure for at least 1500km per month. All you need is your driving licence and a credit card. Just get in, drive safely and arrive calm and relaxed… Insurance, interval service, tyre replacement, replacement car, registration, road tax, motorway toll card (“Vignette”) and road assistance 24/7 – all this is taken care of by the experts at “Emil Frey move”. Get in and drive off.

For more information on this offer, visit their website. It is only available in German, but on the live chat, you can also ask questions in English.

 

Buying your car from a car dealer

In general, cars sold via Swiss main dealers tend to have high specifications and this is normally reflected in the premium prices. However, you will also have the advantage of knowing you can resell your car in Switzerland without difficulty and of building a relationship with a local garage which may be helpful for any future repairs and maintenance. Regardless of whether you are buying new or used, it is the norm that you negotiate a better price. You can finance fairly easily and Switzerland has some of the lowest car finance rates, but be careful with what you sign and only sign once you are happy with the terms. If you can afford it, it is always better to buy the car for cash. It is also essential that you double check the sale agreement to ensure that it has all relevant details such as make, model, modifications and accessories, mileage, and the final price you will be paying. You can expect to receive a warranty with a new car covering 2 to 5 years or a warranty on kilometres travelled. Lots of main dealerships also offer free servicing up to a certain mileage, so check for deals on this if you are considering owning the car for a long time. If you buy from a dealership, they will take care of registering your vehicle, so this is one less worry for you. We would, however, recommend that you don’t allow the garage to sort out insurance on your behalf, as the price is likely to be higher and you cannot be entirely sure of the level of cover you get.

 

Buying your car privately

If you are comfortable buying a car privately, of course this is also possible. Like in many countries, there are websites for second-hand car listings online. Comparis has a car finder in English or you can also check the Autoscout24 or TCS (Swiss Touring Club) websites if you speak a little German, French or Italian. You can also look on the Swiss equivalent of eBay (Ricardo).

All of these have a large selection of cars throughout Switzerland. The Swiss are slightly behind the times in terms of verifying whether online adverts are correct, so just be alert for scams that occasionally crop up. On the other hand, just like on eBay, Ricardo sellers are given ratings to allow you to feel a bit more comfortable before parting with your cash. It is advisable (like when buying a car off eBay) to go and inspect the vehicle if possible before committing to a purchase or bidding on the site. Payments can be made via bank transfer or cash. Just make sure that when you pick up the car you get hold of the car registration document (Fahrzeugschein, carte grise), which will allow you to go to your local traffic office to register the car in your own name. To register the car, you will need a copy of your work permit, the car registration document, and you will have to have sorted out some insurance (beside the car insurance, they are other insurances to look at such as parking damage, etc.). Lastly, you will need to check that the car has an up to date pollution control and a technical inspection certificate. All of this information is on the registration document. You then need to go to the office with these documents and wait in line whilst they sort your new registration plates out. There is a fee for registration, tax and pollution when registering your car. You can see the rates on your local traffic centre’s website (bureau des automobiles or Strassenverkehrsamt).