Overview: How to sell your used car
If you want to sell your used car in Switzerland, there are various options and considerations. Our tips and practical checklist will help you think of everything and sell your used car successfully.
Important questions before selling a used car
Before you think about the next steps, first consider whether you want to sell your used car by advertisement or to a dealer. Both have advantages and disadvantages. If you decide to sell your car to a dealer, you save yourself a few steps. You can drive by a nearby car dealer or sell your used car online. In this article, however, we will discuss the option of selling your used car via an advertisement.
Sell used car privately via advertisement
If you want to sell your car privately, advertise it in online marketplaces for used cars. The advantage of an online advertisement is that you can reach many more people on the Internet than offline – even those who are searching nationwide. On AutoScout24 there are about 16 million possible interested parties every month.
With a car advertisement, you have the advantage that you choose the buyer of your used car yourself. If you know the value of your car and negotiate skillfully, you will get a good price. However, in addition to some preparation, you also need patience when advertising – sometimes it takes some time for interested parties to get in touch. In addition, as a private seller, you coordinate all inquiries, test drives and appointments yourself. This takes time and can be time-consuming.
When you list a car on AutoScout24, you can book different packages that provide you with different services. This will bring your ad to the top of the search results, for example, where it will be clicked on three times more often.
How much is my used car worth?
Many sellers are unsure how much their used car is worth. When you advertise your car, you have to set a price yourself. To do this, you should know the value of your used car.
A vehicle valuation helps you to offer – and get – a fair price for your used car. In addition, it is advisable to search for similar used cars on AutoScout24. This will help you to better assess the real market situation. In addition, you will learn directly what other sellers highlight in their advertisements of used cars and how they present them.
When is a good time to sell used cars?
When you place the ad can determine how quickly you sell your car and how much you get for it. A good time, for example, is shortly after the next motor vehicle inspection, or MFK for short. Vehicles with a valid MFK usually bring more money. Depending on the type and age of the vehicle, different intervals apply for the inspection. You can also have the exam done outside of these intervals to improve your chances of selling. If the last MFK was a while ago, you can either bring forward the next inspection date or have your car checked by the TCS. This investment can be worthwhile if you want to take away potential buyers' doubts about the roadworthiness of your used car.
The time of year can also play a role in the timing of your used car sale. For summer cars such as convertibles, you get more money in spring than in winter. On the other hand, in the second half of the year, some drivers are looking for used cars that they can drive as a second car in winter.
How do I prepare the car for sale?
You now know what sales price you have in mind and when you want to sell the car. Now it's a matter of preparing the car perfectly and putting it in the limelight before it is sold.
- Clean your car thoroughly from the outside and inside.
- Photograph the car to improve the chances of the online listing. Take photos from all sides as well as of the interior and any major damage. This prevents unpleasant surprises during the viewing.
- Describe your used car in the ad as precisely as possible and mention special equipment, extras and any defects.
What is needed for the test drive?
When the first interested parties respond to your listing, make an appointment where the potential buyer takes his time to view, check and test drive the car.
If you have described any defects and advantages well in the listing, there will also be fewer questions during the viewing.
To avoid a dispute later in the event of an accident during the private test drive, you should clarify insurance issues in advance. The buyer's personal liability insurance usually covers the damage. It is also advisable to state in writing that the buyer will pay for possible accident damage during the journey. Furthermore, as the former owner of the used car, you should explain the functionality and any special features of the vehicle to prospective buyers before driving.
Ask to be shown the buyer's ID and driver's license. Sit in the passenger seat during the test drive to make sure the buyer doesn't drive away with the car. Keep the vehicle registration document with you and do not put it in the glove compartment to be on the safe side. The other important documents that you should have ready for the test drive can be found further down in the checklist.
If the prospective buyer wants to buy the car, he may negotiate the price with you.
Contract and vehicle handover: What do I have to consider?
Once you have agreed on a price with the buyer, the next step is the contract for the car sale and handover:
- Fill out a sales contract with the buyer. You can find a sample contract here.
- Agree on a secure payment method. Many car buyers and sellers combine a down payment in cash and a bank transfer. Payments in installments and via PayPal are risky, because PayPal explicitly excludes motorized vehicles from buyer and seller protection.
Make sure that it is noted in the contract that you do not assume a warranty for the used car, as it is a private sale. You can exclude liability with the sentence "Any warranty, as far as possible by law, is excluded, in particular conversion and reduction are excluded". Also remember to report the car sale to your insurance company.
The vehicle handover in detail
When it comes to handover in private used car sales, there are various options so that you and the buyer leave no room for ambiguity and the car is insured. To be on the safe side, do not cancel the vehicle registration document until the buyer has paid the money. After that, the buyer can register the car in their name, pay the balance and meet with you for the vehicle handover. This is the most common variant, but there are also other ways to regulate the handover of used cars.
The trusting variant – with signs of the seller:
If the car is still registered, there is a very simple option. After the sale, the buyer drives to the road traffic office on the plates you have redeemed. There he has the vehicle registration cancelled and drives home.
Attention: You can be on the road until midnight with the cancelled vehicle registration document. The buyer will then send the plates back to you and redeem the car for themselves. This variant requires a lot of trust on the part of the seller – after all, you are "lending" your license to the buyer.
The elegant variant – with provisional traffic authorisation:
In some cantons, there are forms for simplified car transfers. With the form, the buyer promises to submit the required papers to the road traffic office on the same day (postmark applies). With this form, he is allowed to attach the plates of his old car to the new car and drive home.
The paid version – with day signs:
At the counter of the road traffic office, the buyer can get day plates – they are available for 24 to 96 hours. This requires a copy of the vehicle registration document, the buyer ID, and about 80 francs. Don't forget to return the signs in time. This is followed by the definitive redemption with the original vehicle registration document.
The two-way variant – drive once extra:
This means that the buyer will make the trip to you twice. The buyer comes to you, buys the car, but leaves it and only takes the (cancelled) vehicle registration document with him. He uses it to get the new registration and pick up the car with the plates.
Checklist for selling used cars privately via advertisement
Have you thought of everything? Use this checklist to prepare for the sale:
Clean your car thoroughly
✔ Car washing and polishing
✔ Knock out carpets and mats
✔ Collect personal items
✔ Clear out the glove compartment and shelves
✔ Vacuuming the interior
✔ Cleaning stains on upholstery and seats
Gebrauchtwagen professionell fotografieren
✔ Passende Kulisse wählen
✔ Bei Tageslicht fotografieren
✔ Verschiedene Perspektiven einnehmen, z.B. von oben, aber auch aus Hocke etc.
✔ Auto von allen Seiten ablichten
✔ Details im Innenraum aufnehmen
✔ Macken oder Kratzer fotografieren
Inserat erstellen
✔ Have your vehicle registration document ready
✔ Enter vehicle data
✔ Describe used cars in detail
✔ List optional equipment and extras
✔ Mention shortcomings
Test drive and the most important documents
✔ Make an appointment with interested parties
✔ Consider sales arguments
✔ Determine the scope for negotiation
✔ Have your ID and driver's license shown
✔ Record liability in writing during test drive
✔ Have important documents ready, for example:
○ Vehicle registration document
○ Service booklet
○ Minutes of the last MFK
○ Emission document
○ Operating Manuals
○ Receipts for repairs and maintenance work
✔ Negotiate Price
✔ Arrange secure payment
✔ Clarify vehicle handover
✔ Fill out a sample contract
✔ Contractually exclude warranty
✔ Issue vehicle registration document after payment
✔ Report the sale of the insurance
Result
When you sell your used car, you have a lot to think about. With the right preparation and our tips, you can get everything off the ground well.
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