Checklist for buying a used car
How do you tell the good used cars from the bad? Comparis gives you tips for successfully buying a second-hand car.
18.03.2026
iStock/andresr
1. How to find the right used car for you
There is a huge market for used cars – and things can quickly become confusing. Having a clear idea of the car you want simplifies your search for a car.
Therefore, first make a list of the most important criteria for you. These include: maker, model, age, price or engine type. Ask yourself the following questions:
How much may the car cost?
What is the maximum age the car should be?
What is the maximum mileage the car should have?
Should it be from a specific maker?
What do you need the vehicle for do you need the vehicle for?
How big should the car be?
How long do you want to keep it?
Which type of engine would you like?
Which optional extras are important to you?
You should also ask yourself what running costs you can afford. This is because car insurance and petrol can be expensive – and so a supposedly affordable car can quickly become expensive. Insurance, servicing and vehicle taxes can also eat into your budget.
Used car search: compare prices
You can compare different offers on the Comparis car marketplace. The Comparis rating shows how well an offer compares to similar listings.
2. What you should know when buying a used car
Once you’ve found a car you like, be sure to go for a test drive. Take your time. You won’t necessarily spot any faults after just a kilometre or two. Ideally, you should also test drive the car on different types of road, such as on the motorway and in city traffic.
Tip: Be sure to check the service log book before making a purchase. Among other things, it provides an overview of past maintenance work.
Fault checklist for used cars
With the Comparis checklist, you won’t miss any faults with the car.
Do you only have limited knowledge of cars? Get support from a specialist. They can assess the technical condition of the car more accurately.
You should pay attention to these points you should pay attention to these points when buying a used car:
How high the used car’s mileage should be depends on the situation. A vehicle with a lot of motorway kilometres is often in better condition than cars with fewer kilometres in urban traffic.
Overall, the maximum possible mileage of a car varies. This depends, for example, on:
maker
model
care
maintenance
Diesel and electric cars can, as a rule, cover more kilometres than a petrol car by the end of their service life.
By the way: On average, a driver in Switzerland covers around 10’000 to 12’000 kilometres a year. Company cars cover significantly more kilometres per year – in some cases over 50’000 km. If the odometer reading doesn’t align with the age of the car, you should ask why.
Beware of older cars with low mileage: the vehicle may not have been used for a long time and could have damage from standing idle. These include:
a flat battery
flat-spotted tyres
rust on the brake discs
porous rubber seals
a musty-smelling air conditioning system
Mileage tampering may also occur. Therefore, check whether the mileage on the speedometer matches the mileage recorded in the service log book.
You can recognise a reputable car seller by the following points:
They will let you take the car for a test drive – and, ideally, they offer it to you without you having to ask.
The service log book is complete without any gaps.
The car was only recently inspected.
The seller does not put you under time pressure.
The seller provides transparent information, for example about the vehicle’s accident history.
Be sure to ask about previous accidents and repairs. The following applies: All sellers must disclose accident damage, including private individuals. However, this does not apply to minor damage, such as scratches and small dents.
If you are in any doubt, you should get an expert to take a look at the used car and show it to a qualified person. Such services are available, for example, from TCS.
A purchase agreement is not required by law. Nevertheless, you should insist on a written contract. It should record details such as defects and the warranty. This makes any potential future disputes easier. Here you can find more about purchase agreements and a sample agreement.
When buying a car, don’t be satisfied with the first offer. Dealers and private sellers often have a certain amount of leeway.This means that negotiating properly can often pay off.
To prepare, it is worth comparing prices of similar vehicles. The Comparis car valuation can help you with this.
Good to know: you can negotiate not only the price. It is often also possible to negotiate additional services. These include, for example, winter tyres or the rectification of a defect.
Important: Cars are often offered «after a recent inspection». However, this only means that the car meets the statutory minimum standards. It is not proof of good quality.
3. Can you lease a used car? Tips on finance and insurance
Do you need a car urgently, but can’t pay the full purchase price in one go? Then leasing it could be the answer.
Leasing is not a good idea for many used cars. This is because leasing providers often require full casco insurance – however, for most used cars, full casco insurance is not worth taking out. A personal loan is a good alternative.
Choose the right insurance
A liability insurance is compulsory for every car. A full casco insurance is often only worthwhile up to a vehicle age of six years.
Regardless of the type of insurance cover and the age of the vehicle: with a comparison of different car insurance policies you can save a lot of money.
4. Frequently asked questions about buying used cars
If you buy a used car, you are not buying a brand-new car; rather, it has already had at least one previous owner.
Used cars are often cheaper and available more quickly than new cars. On the other hand, in certain circumstances, the maintenance costs may be higher and they may have more defects more defects.
Which used car is best for you depends on your personal needs. In Switzerland, for example, you’ll find brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and VW are popular.
According to the report by the Technical Inspection Association (TÜV) in Germany in 2026, the cars with the lowest defect rate are:
The following makers performed convincingly in terms of long-term quality the following makes performed convincingly:
The best makers in terms of long-term quality are those for which for ten- to eleven-year-old cars the defect rate for safety-relevant defects is the lowest .
You should not base your car purchase decision solely on mileage. Because how well a car runs after a high mileage depends on a variety of factors.
For example, a few kilometres on short journeys can put more strain on a car than many kilometres on the motorway. Driving style and the general way the car is used also affect its condition. When buying, pay particular attention to the condition of the car.
How much money you need for a good used car depends on various factors. For example, an SUV is more expensive than a small car. Your negotiating skills can also make a difference.
This article was first published on 23.04.2017
