Yes, you can sell a leased car in Switzerland – but not on your own. Until the lease is paid off, the car belongs to the leasing company, and code 178 on the registration document blocks any change of owner without its approval. This guide explains code 178, your options and how a sale works in practice.
Code 178 is an entry on the vehicle registration document that stands for "change of holder prohibited" (Halterwechsel verboten). It is added at the request of the leasing company, and the road traffic office will not register the car to a new holder until it is removed.
Removing it is free. Once the leasing company has been paid, it sends the release to the road traffic office – in Zurich, for example, this is done electronically.
| Option | How it works | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Buy out and sell | You pay the leasing company the settlement amount, the car becomes yours and you sell it. | Usually the best option when the car is worth more than the settlement amount. A buyer like SellCar can pay the leasing company directly. |
| Lease takeover | Another person takes over your leasing contract. | Only with the leasing company's agreement – there is no general right to a takeover. |
| Early termination | You end the contract early and return the car. | The leasing company recalculates the contract, which can cost several thousand francs. |
Whatever you choose, start by asking your leasing company for a written settlement figure (sometimes called a buyout or early repayment amount) and the date until which it is valid.
If you bought the car with a personal loan or credit, it is normally registered as yours and has no code 178. You can sell it like any other car and use the money to repay the loan – check your loan contract for any conditions first. If your lender did ask for code 178 to be entered, the same steps as for leasing apply.
Moving abroad with a leased car? Start early – see our guide to selling your car when leaving Switzerland.
Only once the lease has been settled and the leasing company has had code 178 removed. Until then, the buyer cannot register the car in their name. A buyer like SellCar can pay the leasing company directly as part of the sale.
Removing code 178 is free. The leasing company sends the release to the road traffic office once it has been paid.
Then the difference has to be paid before the leasing company releases the car. Ask for a written settlement figure and a valuation first, so you know the numbers before you decide.
Only if the leasing company agrees. There is no general right to a lease takeover, and the new person usually has to pass the company's credit check.
It mainly depends on how quickly the leasing company confirms the payment and sends the release. Ask for the settlement figure early, especially if you are leaving Switzerland.
What drives the value of a used car, why private and dealer prices differ, and how to get a realistic figure.
Read the guide →GuideWhy your plates stay with you, how to hand them in, and how Geneva, Vaud and Zurich compare – plus insurance and tax refunds.
Read the guide →GuideA timeline and checklist for expats: when to start, plates, leasing and getting paid before you move.
Read the guide →
