Annual car costs in Switzerland - This is what you can expect!

The question of how much a car costs per year may seem easy to answer with the total purchase price. But what about the running costs of a car? In addition to the purchase price, these costs can be a drain on your finances and are often underestimated. To help you plan ahead, we'll tell you what you can expect to spend on your car each year.

Example calculation - Total annual costs for a car in Switzerland

According to the Touring Club Switzerland (TCS), a model car in Switzerland costs around CHF 10,728 / year or 72 centimes / km, based on a new purchase price of CHF 41,000 and a mileage of 15,000 km (as of 2024).

Of course, the calculation is based on several factors, which we will explain in more detail below. In general, there are two types of costs:

• Fixed costs: amortisation and leasing costs, depreciation, parking, insurance, tax, car maintenance, etc.
• Variable costs: fuel, maintenance, repairs, tyres, depreciation of the car and possible fines.

Point 1: The fixed costs of a car in Switzerland

Most people underestimate the annual cost of maintaining their own car. One reason for this could be that the fixed costs of a car are incurred partly on an annual basis and partly on a monthly basis. To avoid surprises, we therefore recommend that you calculate the costs of your own car on a monthly or annual basis. This will give you a better overview of the total costs.

Fixed costs include the following factors, listed upon their share of total costs according to the TCS:

• Amortisation/leasing costs (27 %): If you choose to lease or finance your car, you will have to pay a monthly instalment that includes or excludes interest, depending on the type of mobility.
• Parking costs (16 %): The cost of parking at home, at work and on the road in Swiss parking zones can quickly add up.
• Insurance (9 %): Compulsory third-party liability insurance and optionally, a partial or fully comprehensive insurance, is required for every driver in Switzerland. We strongly recommend a fully comprehensive insurance, especially for new cars. Beginners will also need to budget a higher amount due to the high insurance premium.
• Taxes and miscellaneous (9 %): In Switzerland, motor vehicle tax is payable annually and is based on the power, weight and cubic capacity of the car. For an SUV, this can sometimes be over CHF 500.-. There are also costs for motorway vignettes, car maintenance and other individual costs.

Point 2: Variable car costs per year

In addition to the fixed costs, there are variable maintenance costs that depend on you and your driving habits. You can use the following overview to make an initial estimate of your costs:

• Fuel/energy costs (14 %): Whether petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric - the more kilometres you cover, the higher the costs. Every driver also knows that petrol costs fluctuate greatly and can quickly rise in bad months.
• Depreciation (11 %): The depreciation of a car is tremendous, especially for new and annual cars and only stabilises after about 5 years. There are no out-of-pocket costs for cars leased or subscribed to, as the monthly fixed costs already include the depreciation.
• Repair costs (10 %): Regular servicing and inspections are not only important, but also add up quickly, especially for new cars. For older cars, wear and tear can also quickly affect the annual cost of ownership, as components may need to be replaced at a high cost.
  
• Tyre replacement and storage (4 %): You need new summer and winter tyres every two to three years. Changing and storing tyres can quickly become expensive. Costs can vary depending on your driving style, the quality of your tyres and the surface you drive on.

In addition to the costs mentioned above, you may have to pay for coaches, car accessories and possibly breakdown assistance. Of course, we hope that you will not have to pay for the latter.

In comparison: How much does a car subscription cost per month?

While the cost of a used, financed or leased car is more complicated to calculate, a car subscription makes it easier. Thanks to the All-in-One package, all car-related costs are already included in a fixed monthly price. This includes insurance, cantonal redemption, taxes, service and maintenance as well as tyre changes and storage. Apart from fuel/charging costs and parking fees, there are hardly any fixed or variable costs left to you.

You can easily calculate the cost difference between a car subscription and leasing using our individual cost comparison. Simply send us your leasing offer or use our leasing assumptions and compare the total price of the car subscription including fixed and variable costs. If the total price of your leasing offer is lower, we will reduce the subscription price for you thanks to our Best Price Guarantee.

Conclusion - Total costs for a car per year

Overall, it is not easy to calculate the total cost of a car per year. If you want to find out your annual car costs, we recommend that you write down the fixed and variable costs of your car. Calculate these on a monthly or yearly basis and you'll have a good overview.

If you are convinced that a car subscription is a simple and cost-effective alternative to leasing or buying a used car, you will find a wide range of models at Carvolution. If you can't find what you're looking for, or if you have any other questions, you can always contact our team for a non-binding consultation.