Buying your first car: what should you choose?
Looking for your first car? Here’s how to prepare for your motoring adventure and find a real head-turner.
27.09.2024
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1. Buying my first car – which one is right for me?
When buying your first car, you’ll probably wonder which model is right for you.
Popular vehicle types
All vehicle types in one place
Still unsure about which type of car to get? Discover a whole range of cars on the Comparis car marketplace now – with thousands of new and used cars.
2. Models: what are the best first cars?
Looking for a modern and stylish car? Comparis has some suggestions for your new set of wheels.
Bargain or rip-off?
Want to know how good a second-hand car deal is? Let’s calculate the value of the car.
3. Can I actually afford a car?
Have you found your dream car? Before you go ahead, remember: driving is rather expensive.
Purchase costs
The first major cost is the purchase price. The cheapest way to pay is usually by cash or bank transfer. Alternatively, you can consider car financing by means of a lease or a loan.
Recurring costs
In addition to the purchase price, you should expect recurring car costs. These costs differ greatly depending on the model and condition of the car.
Here are the main costs:
Purchase price or financing costs (lease/loan)
Cost of car insurance
Transport levies
Motorway vignette sticker
Car maintenance: service, exhaust maintenance and repairs
Parking space
Cleaning costs
Accessories such as roof rack or snow chains
Other cost factors include:
Fees for motor club membership
Alternatives to your own car
Is the cost of owning a car higher than expected? Then car sharing may be worth considering.Â
More and more consumers are choosing a car subscription. There you pay a monthly rental amount over a defined period.Â
4. My first car – what do I need to be aware of?
You should be able to enjoy your first car for a long time. Especially used cars should be tested thoroughly. During a test drive, you can check the engine and transmission for yourself.
Determine the condition of the vehicle
When it comes to used cars, don’t agree to a purchase without an inspection and test drive. Have you come across a vehicle that has caught your interest? Make an appointment and bring someone along with you.
Want to buy a used car? Here we show you how to determine the condition of a second-hand car.
Vehicle test by professionals
Defects are not always immediately apparent. If in doubt, an expert can help you. TCS, for example, offers vehicle tests for used cars (link not available in English).
Do I get a warranty when buying a car?
The law distinguishes between warranties and guarantees: the warranty is the prescribed liability of the dealer towards the buyer. A guarantee is a voluntary service provided by the dealer.
Warranty
A warranty of two years applies (Art. 210 of the Swiss Code of Obligations). This means that the car dealer has to pay for hidden defects in your car during this time.
However, the statutory warranty may be contractually excluded.
Guarantee
Many dealers contractually exclude the warranty – and instead grant a guarantee. That’s because guarantees are more flexible. For example, the dealers can freely choose the duration, exclude parts subject to wear and tear, or attach conditions to guarantee services.
Pay close attention to the small print.
5. Taking out car insurance – how it works
Before you can register your new car and start driving, you need liability insurance. This is mandatory in Switzerland.
Here’s how it works: you take out liability insurance. The insurance company will then send proof of insurance to the responsible road traffic office. Only then will you receive your vehicle registration document.
Saving tip:
Choose insurance with a crash recorder. Depending on the provider, you can save on premiums with a crash recorder (telematics device) and this makes it easier to clarify the issue of fault in the event of an accident.
Do I need partial or full casco insurance?
If you want to additionally insure yourself against financial risks in the event of damage, you can take out partial casco insurance or full casco insurance.
Partial casco insurance: you are insured against hail damage, theft, marten damage and glass breakage, among other things.
Full casco insurance: you are insured against collision damage, even if you cause it yourself. Full casco makes sense for new and second-hand vehicles up to the fourth year of use.
Plus, you can choose further components such as parking damage insurance for an additional fee.
Are you looking for suitable car insurance?
Whether you need liability, partial casco or full casco insurance: with Comparis, you can quickly and easily compare different options.
6. Buying your first car: checklist
Are you ready to hit the road?
These are the necessary steps when buying a car:
Find a car – such as at car dealerships or on the Comparis car marketplace
View and test drive with someone to help you
Complete the purchase – preferably with a guarantee or warranty
Take out insurance with proof of insurance
Register your vehicle with the road traffic office (don’t forget your vehicle registration document)
Attach the number plates and off you go!
A good first car – our recommendation
The perfect first car is small and manoeuvrable, forgives driving mistakes such as rough gear shifts, and is inexpensive to buy and maintain. The Comparis car marketplace has a large selection for every taste.
This article was first published on 16.08.2023
