In Switzerland you have three main ways to sell your car: to a private buyer, to a garage as a trade-in, or to a car buyer like SellCar. Each has its own balance of price, speed, effort and risk. This guide compares them so you can choose what suits you.
| Private sale | Garage trade-in | Car buyer (SellCar) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Often the highest, if you find the right buyer | Usually lower; may be mixed into the price of the new car | A fair dealer price, confirmed after a free inspection |
| Speed | Days to months | When you buy your next car | Offer within 24 hours; sale often within days |
| Effort | Photos, ad, calls, viewings, test drives, contract | Low | Low – a 2-minute form, then we handle the rest |
| Risk | Payment fraud, no-shows, claims after the sale | Low | Low – professional contract and secure payment |
| Language | Buyers often expect German, French or Italian | Depends on the garage | Everything in English (French and German too) |
| Which cars | Popular cars in good condition | Usually cars the garage can resell | Any make, any condition – including damaged, high-mileage and leased cars |
A private sale on an online marketplace can bring the highest price, especially for popular models in good condition. But it takes time and work: good photos and a clear ad, answering messages, arranging viewings and test drives, negotiating and preparing the contract.
Be careful with payment. Hand over the car and the documents only once the money is in your account or you have received cash in person. Be wary of buyers who want to pay more than the asking price, send a cheque or ask you to use an unknown payment or shipping service. In the contract, describe the car honestly and list known defects – a warranty exclusion does not protect a seller who knowingly hides a defect.
If you are buying a new or used car from a garage, it may take your old car in part-exchange. This is convenient: one appointment, one contract. The downside is that it is hard to see what you really get for your car, because the trade-in value and the discount on the new car are often mixed together. Ask for both figures separately, and compare the trade-in value with an independent offer.
A car buyer like SellCar buys your car outright, whether or not you buy another one. You fill in a short form, receive an offer within 24 hours, and we inspect the car for free at a place that suits you. If you accept, we prepare the contract and pay you in cash or by bank transfer. The price is a dealer price – usually below the best private price – but you save the time, effort and risk of selling privately. See how it works.
You can do both: request a free valuation from us first. It costs nothing, and you will know what your car is worth before you decide. Read more about what determines your car's value.
Often from a private buyer – if your car is popular, in good condition and you have time to find the right buyer. Once you count the time, effort and risk, a dealer or car buyer can be the better deal.
Hand over the car and documents only once the money is in your account or you have received cash in person. Be wary of buyers who offer more than the asking price, pay by cheque, or want to use unknown payment or shipping services.
It is convenient, but the trade-in value is often mixed into the discount on the new car. Ask for both figures separately and compare the trade-in value with an independent offer.
No. We buy your car outright. You do not have to buy anything from us.
Yes. Our valuation is free and without obligation. Many people use it to know what their car is worth before they decide.
What drives the value of a used car, why private and dealer prices differ, and how to get a realistic figure.
Read the guide →GuideThe registration document, ID, keys and service records – what each is for, what goes in the contract and what to do if something is missing.
Read the guide →GuideRepair or sell as it is, what you must tell the buyer, total loss and insurance – and how to sell a car that won't drive.
Read the guide →
