If you are living in Switzerland, temporary, long term or permanent basis, indeed driving a car would have been your one of the primary aspirations, if you like exploring new places and the country side sceneries, and may be you are renting a car every now and then, which you think is getting expensive for you. May be a thought crossed by your mind, that why not to own a cheap car at least for now, if you are not yet sure on how long you will be living in Switzerland. Thats the point where you are may
The longer you live in Switzerland, the more you are able to find out on how to own a car for you, but since I had lot of questions, and had to struggle to find this information, thus I believe these details will surely be a help to you, if you are new to Switzerland and have recently shifted here, and also if you are looking to own a car for yourself - possible a used one.
What do you need to buy a used car:
- a resident permit: at least an L permit
- A valid Driving License
Where you can find the car you want to buy:
- Some used car Selling agency around you
- Facebook Marketplace
- AutoScout24
Buy a used car is sometimes not as easy, as it may look, but I am only trying to simplify on the steps involved. There is no rule on which of the above venues will be the best for you to buy your car. It all depends on where you land up, and how much good you are to find out on the condition of the car. But what I can suggest is, do spend some good time online, to see on what kind of cars are available as per your budget. Sometimes a very good car at a very cheap price can indeed land you up in a painful situation.
The first used car I bought was for 1400 CHF, an Audi A3 - but of course it was 20 years old when I bought it.
Most important things you can check for the car before buying it:
- Hire a technician - you can find it in Facebook marketplace, or online, who will do a diagnose of the car - at least this can help you find out if there are some really expensive faults in the car - The diagnoses you can get done for around CHF 200-250. Of course it may look an expensive check if you are really trying to buy a very cheap car - around 1500 to 2000 CHF, but it will really be worth.
- The Tyres: You need summer and winter tires, and also the tyres should comply with the legal tread depth. Of course if you are looking for a cheap car, the tyres definitely would be at its last stage, but at least don't get yourself into a trouble by going for tyres with the tread depth below the legal limit.
- The MFK. Every car has to go through it after around 3 years for an old one, and for the new car after around 5 years for the first MFK. If the MFK for the car you are buying, is already above 2 years old, consider getting the car diagnosed for MFK pass as well. Now this is tricky.
- May be if you get the MFK check from the garage, it may turn out that they will tell you list of possible fixes, which can cost much more than the price of the car for you, so this will definitely not encourage you for buying a used car. Of course the current owner of the car should agree to all the these checks, if he would allow you to get these done.
- The second option I can suggest is, go for the car - after at least getting a positive diagnose report (not having major or potentially expensive faults) and when the MFK request comes, appear for the check, and if there are any faults, the MFK advisor will let you know, and then you will only have to get the issues fixed which are advised by the MFK advisor. Sometimes, this works. So as I mentioned, its a tricky part - so I leave it up to you with these couple of hints to decide how you would want to proceed, but at least it gives you an idea on points to take care for your car purchase.
Rest of the things you can may be keep it little light to consider, because the more you try to go deeper into making the safest deal, the more you will perhaps land up Not Buying a used car ever.
This is definitely a little more complex than how I have said it, but that is the point I'm trying to make-that even though it is a little complex to own a car here in Switzerland during your short term stay, but if you do your maths, as in, if you are a family of 2 to 3 members, or some good friends who don't mind to split the cost between yourselves, and then if you have goals to be around different places in Switzerland, you will surely agree that this will be your cheapest option among all.
Few more associated costs you will incur are:
- The Tax: This will range between 250 to 300 CHF per year - for a car around 2000 CHF (1st Jan to 31st Dec)
- Mandatory Insurance - Third Party at least, or Comprehensive. Third Party can range from 500 to 900 CHF. You can visit comparis.ch and check the premiums.
- Accident Insurance - Mostly you don't need to buy it, if you are employed, your employer must have already issued you one already.
- Highway Sticker - called Vignette - Costs 40 CHF per year
- And Thats All
So if in total, if you buy a car of 2000 CHF - you will pay 3200 CHF in total - considering 1000-1200 annual cost, and don't worry. You will for sure be able to sell this car off for a good price after around 2 years for a sum of approx. 1200 CHF - provided you don't squeeze the car out.
I wish you a Happy Car Hunting..!
