Buying scooters in Switzerland: what do I need to be aware of?
Whether Vespa, Honda or Yamaha: would you like to make your dream of owning a scooter come true? Get ready to buy your scooter with our tips.
02.05.2023
iStock / olaser
1. How much does a scooter cost?
The cost of a scooter depends primarily on the make, model and age of the vehicle:
You can buy new scooters from around 2,000 francs. Depending on the model and equipment, however, scooters can also cost over 10,000 francs.
Second-hand scooters are cheaper and depending on availability may only cost a few hundred francs.
Is a scooter cheaper than a car?
The running costs of a scooter are between around 1,000 and 2,700 francs per year. Compare now A car costs around 10,000 francs per year. So a scooter is much cheaper than a car.
2. What are the most popular scooters in Switzerland?
Motosuisse regularly publishes figures on the new registrations of motorcycles and scooters. The table below shows the five most popular scooters in Switzerland.
| Most popular scooter makes in 2022 | |
|---|---|
| 1st position | Vespa |
| 2nd position | Honda |
| 3rd position | Yamaha |
| 4th position | SYM |
| 5th position | Vengo |
The most popular scooter models of 2022 are:
Vespa Primavera 125 3V
Vespa GTS 300 Super
Honda PCX 125
Vespa GTS 125
Yamaha X-Max 300
3. Buying a scooter: which one is right for me?
Think about what you need your scooter for. Ask yourself the following questions:
How much am I willing to pay for the scooter?
Will I often have a passenger on the back seat?
Do I plan to go on longer journeys or do I need the scooter for rides in the city?
How much experience do I have as a motorcyclist?
Will I ride the scooter all year round or only in the summer?
Does the scooter match my height?
How much storage do I need?
You will need these scooter insurance policies
Motorcycle liability insurance is also mandatory for scooters. You can usually take out casco insurance and add-ons on a voluntary basis. You can find out more about this topic in the article on scooter insurance.
Liability insurance benefits hardly differ between providers. There are, however, major differences in premiums. It’s worthwhile to compare.
4. Buying scooters in Switzerland: what should I watch out for?
Which is better: buying a new or used scooter?
Prices for new vehicles are higher than for second-hand vehicles. However, many manufacturers offer a multi-year warranty on new vehicles.
Used scooters usually cost less and are available directly. If you are not familiar with scooters, you should go to a dealer. Otherwise, you can also buy from private individuals. They often have lower prices.
When’s the best time to buy a scooter?
For used scooters, bear in mind: the demand for scooters is greatest in the spring. This naturally causes prices to increase. Used scooters are cheaper in autumn and winter. Start looking for your second-hand scooter in the winter.
In the case of new scooters: there are often more options in the spring, as this is when manufacturers introduce new models.
Buying a scooter without a test ride: should I consider it?
Never buy a scooter without testing it first. You can only see if the scooter really suits you by trying it out. Take your time on the test ride. Think about the following questions:
Do I have the scooter under control?
What are the brakes like?
Can I reach all the controls?
Is the scooter comfortable and is the seat height correct?
This article was first published on 29.03.2019
