The Cheapest Car You Can Buy in Switzerland in 2023
Switzerland is known for its luxury cars and, of course, its high prices. However, this doesn’t mean you cannot afford a car. In fact, there are a variety of vehicles that are very affordable in Switzerland. While you may not find the cheapest one in the world, you can certainly find a good deal on a quality car.
Some of the cheapest cars you can buy in Switzerland (besides Dacia) include the Fiat Panda ($12,900), the Renault Clio ($13,000), and the Peugeot 207 ($16,000). These cars are all very affordable, and they offer a great way to get around Switzerland without spending a lot of money.
If you’re looking for a more luxurious car, you can still find affordable options in Switzerland. The BMW 1 Series, the Audi A3, and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class are all reasonably priced options that offer a lot of features and amenities.
Although you don’t need a car to live comfortably in Switzerland, this article delves deeper into the cheapest cars you can buy if you decide to.
Read this guide on buying a car in Switzerland as a foreigner.
Car prices in Switzerland
With such a massive car market in Switzerland, buying a car has never been more accessible from dealerships, online car marketplaces, or individual sellers. The list below displays some common car models and prices in Switzerland.
- Audi A8 L 6.3 FSI W12 quattro – $46,812
- Skoda Octavia – $34,896
- Tesla3 – $54,832
- VW Tiguan – $44,886
- VW Golf – $34,909
- Audi Q3 – $49,870
- Mercedes Benz A Class – $44,886
- Volvo XC40 – $59,850
- Fiat 500 – $14,937
- BMW X1 – $49,870
With that said cheapest cars on the Swiss market are Fiat Panda which costs about $13,000, the Renault Clio for $13,000, and the Peugeot 207, which will cost you around $16,000.
Some car dealers have better car deals where they accept monthly installments if you have a good credit history. The deal might sound reasonable and flexible but be more expensive. You might want to consider purchasing your car in cash to get significant discounts and make the entire process cheaper.
Besides the car’s actual price, you’ll incur other monthly costs of owning it like vehicle tax, registration, insurance, motorway toll, fuel, speeding tickets, and inspection. The extra costs depend on where you live in Switzerland.
Here are the additional costs you must bear to own a car in Switzerland:
Registration
In Switzerland, there are 26 states popularly known as cantons, with each canton operating under different regulations. Therefore, keep in mind that registration costs vary from one canton to another, and the price range is from $49.92 to $299.47/year.
Vehicle tax
Depending on cantons and vehicle type, charges may vary from $99 – $798/year.
Motorway toll
A special license allows you to drive on all Switzerland roads at $39 a year.
Vehicle insurance
Depending on your insurance coverage, it can range from $299 – $399/year for a third-party cover, while a comprehensive plan goes from $998 – $1,996.
Vehicle inspection
Your first car review happens after four years, then after that, the review is every three years at a rough cost of $129.
Fuel
In Switzerland, diesel is cheaper than petrol. However, with the cheapest car, you will run on petrol. The average consumption of a car in Switzerland is 6 liters per 100 kilometers. For petrol, the price is $1,34 per liter.
The average cost of having a car in Switzerland comes to $756 per month or $9,078 per year. Running a small used car will cost you $6,564 a year.
Read our full guide on the cost of car ownership in Switzerland.
Cheapest new car in Switzerland
The vehicle market in Switzerland is flooded with options for where to buy a car. Therefore, it’s not strange to find highly competitive car prices if you take the time to surf through different sites and dealers before making a move.
Compare prices to land a good deal money-wise and the motoring experience. Below is a list of the cheapest new cars in Switzerland:
| Car | Price | Transmission | Fuel | Door/Seat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Space Star 1.2 Pure | $13,300 | Manual | Petrol | 4,5 |
| Fiat Panda | $12,900 | Manual | Petrol/Electric | 4,5 |
| Peugeot 207 | $16,000 | Manual | Petrol/Electric | 3,4 |
| Renault Clio | $13,000 | Manual | Petrol | 3,4 |
| Fiat 500 electric 87 kW Icon | $15,846 | Automatic | Electric | 3,4 |
| Ford Puma 1.0 EcoB Hybrid 125 ST-Line X | $20,965 | Manual | Petrol | 5,5 |
| Citroen C4 Picasso 1.6i 16V Attraction | $6,489 | Manual | Petrol | 5,5 |
| Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TFSI 211 quattro | $12,978 | Manual | Petrol | 5,5 |
| Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S Line S Tronic 207PS – if you want something more middle-class | $41,914 | Automatic | Petrol | 5,5 |
Where to buy a car in Switzerland? See the main websites here.
Cheapest used car in Switzerland
The decision to buy a used car is wise since you will save at least 50% on depreciation when purchasing a 3-5-year-old vehicle. Besides, the Swiss second-hand market floods with options that can overwhelm the average buyer, and a little help from those in this business, like Comparis, comes in handy.
You can get a good second-hand car deal offering motoring pleasure or a lousy deal where the latter becomes an unending money pit. Here is a comprehensive list of what you should know before diving into the enormous used car market:
| Inspect the car keenly | After finding the vehicle of choice, do a thorough inspection and ask for a test drive because driving it’s the best way to notice any underlying issues. |
| Don’t be lured by mileage only | A car with higher mileage on the motorway might be in a better condition than another with less life in the city. Check how often the vehicle has been serviced to judge the state other than the distance covered. |
| Buy from a reputable seller | Buying from a well-known dealer adds credit to what you are buying. Someone selling vehicles in good condition will have no issue letting you have a test drive or check the service booklet. |
| Get a purchase agreement | Insist on a written sale agreement that displays the car warranty as it will come in handy if problems arise in the future. |
| Be an intelligent negotiator | Once you set out to buy a car, don’t jump in for the first deal they offer you because there’s always room for negotiation. If you negotiate smartly, you’ll find that sellers are flexible, and you end up with a better deal hence more savings. |
List of the cheapest used cars in Switzerland with the best-value for money:
| Car | Price | Drive | Transmission | Fuel | Initial Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Ibiza FR | $20,900 | Four-wheel drive | Automatic | Petrol | 05, 2020 |
| Renault Koleos 2.0dCi Exception 4×4 Automat | $22,800 | Four-wheel drive | Automatic | Petrol | 12/2018 |
| VW Polo 75 trend line | $4,981 | Front-wheel | Automatic | Teal | 07/2000 |
| Fiat 500 1.4 16V Lounge | $6,788 | Front-wheel | Manual | Petrol | 01/2008 |
| Skoda Octavia Combi 1.8 T-FSI Ambition 4×4 | $13,977 | Front-wheel | Manual | Petrol | 06/2021 |
Best websites to find used cars in Switzerland
So, by now you have an idea of which cars are the most affordable and what you should look at when picking a vehicle. Yet, where do Swiss people shop for second-hand cars?
1. Comparis.ch
Comparis is a one-stop online car bazaar selling many cars, new and used. You can access any vehicle you want from different marketplaces in a few clicks. After your car search, decide if you wish to receive alerts only on specific favorites.
2. Ooyyo.com
Find your car of choice and compare prices for old and new vehicles globally on OOYYO. They analyze millions of vehicles from different sources and only show relevant results to a searcher. OOYYO is currently present in 20 car markets and is accessible in 29 languages.
With more than 10 Million unique car options for sale and over 25 Million listings across different sources globally, most of these cars are on OOYYO. The site has a price checker that provides current cost estimates in the market and relays relevant information in similar vehicles.
By filtering a worldwide search for similar cars from different websites, OOYYO provides value for your money, shielding you from overpaying for a vehicle, yet finding the best deal in the market.
3. Carforyou.ch
Carforyou offers verified car offers and detailed information about any vehicle with additional services like a warrant and car insurance at no extra cost. You purchase a car online, and they deliver it to your home with a seven-day or 500km test drive to return the vehicle.
4. Autolina.ch
Autoline is an online car market in Switzerland with over 65,000 cars on offer daily. Find your dream car on Autoline, whether new or used, and you can also sell your vehicle on the site.
They allow you to advertise and sell your car occasionally for free. Cars on Autoline are quality and serviceable regardless of whether it’s new or old.
5. Autokunz.ch
Once you enter car characteristics on the dialogue box on Autokunz, click Filter, and only the vehicles that match your description will display. Lucky customers get significant discounts of up to 50% and pay the price relative to a used car.
If you’re buying a used car, there are no risks involved because all the vehicles are accident-free. Before enlisting all old cars on the site, they undergo a thorough check to clear them of underlying issues hence saving the customer the trouble of paying for an unworthy vehicle.
See full guide on websites here.
Cheapest car rental in Switzerland
Find out how much it will cost you to lease a car in Switzerland before committing to a lease agreement. You may opt to hire instead of taking a car loan because the rates are lower, which explains why most Swiss drivers take this option.
However, car leasing has other costs that you may not know about, like high car insurance plans, service costs, low discounts, and mileage fees if you exceed your limit. Car expenses also go up since you’ll use the partner car services and meet all maintenance/repair costs, including insurance.
Read more about the pros and cons of leasing vs buying a car in Switzerland.
If owning a car isn’t your primary goal, you can lease the latest car model and enjoy pricing flexibility. They calculate your monthly spending on a leased car in Switzerland depending on a car’s age, mileage, model, or special services like insurance. Below is where you can get a cheap car rental in Switzerland.
- Swissrentcar.ch – Car rentals exclusively in Switzerland, get delivered to your home, from $60 per day.
- Carrentals.de – German car rental company, from $25 a day.
- Europcar.com – Affordable car rentals within Europe.
- Momondo.com – Rides from $35 on popular car brands.
- Carsearchdirect.com – Car rentals from $5.75 a day.
- Expedia.com – Get car rentals from $9 a day in Zurich.
- Rentalcars.com – You can connect with established car brands for hire from $20 a day.
- Kayak.com – Get a ride from $33, and the popular cars are; SUV, economy, and full size.
Car sharing in Switzerland
- Mobility – The largest Swiss car-sharing company is Mobility. You can rent various car types at over 1,500 locations in Switzerland.
- Ubeeqo – Register with Ubeeqo so you can book and rent cars via the app around the clock. Rentals are available in the cities of Basel, Bern, Zurich, Lucerne, Lausanne and Geneva.
