Happy woman with smile at the wheel of a car
Happy woman with smile at the wheel of a car

More and more Swiss people are asking themselves whether they should buy, lease or subscribe to a car. Car subscriptions in particular are becoming increasingly popular, and experts predict that by 2030 they could be used by around 40% of car drivers.

But what is a car subscription, how does it work and what are the advantages and disadvantages compared to other forms of mobility? Find out more in this blog post, and see if a subscription is worth it for you.

In summary, what does a car subscription in Switzerland include?

With a car subscription, the customer pays a fixed monthly price that includes the car itself as well as a number of additional costs. These include fully comprehensive insurance, cantonal redemption, taxes, service and maintenance as well as tyre changes and storage. This means that you hardly have any additional costs other than refuelling and parking.

Compared to traditional leasing, where the leasing instalment only covers the use of the car and its depreciation, with a subscription you benefit from a transparent fixed price, including ancillary costs.

How does the car subscription and ordering work?

Most car subscription providers offer their vehicles online. Models range from small and compact cars to station wagons, SUVs, cabriolets, vans and sedans.

Once you have decided on a model, the next step is to choose the subscription term. This varies from provider to provider and can range from a few months to several years.

You can then choose how many kilometres you want to drive. While the kilometre allowance is set once at the start of a classic leasing contract, for car subscriptions, you can also adjust it, depending on the provider. With Carvolution, for example, the kilometre packages range from 350 km to 3,250 km per month and can be increased or decreased on a monthly basis.

Once you have decided on the model, term and kilometre package, you will need to enter other details. With Carvolution, you also choose your insurance cover, whether you want to collect the car or have it delivered to your home and, depending on the model, whether you want to make a down payment. The canton in which you live must also be specified in the configuration.

Advantages of the car subscription - the key points at a glance

Simple - various additional costs are included

The most obvious benefit of a car subscription is its simplicity. In principle, car subscription providers include a large number of additional costs, even if some of the services differ from one provider to the next.

With Carvolution, for example, you don't have to worry about insurance, cantonal redemption, taxes, tyre changes and storage or service & maintenance thanks to the All-in-One package. Even the contract conclusion can be done digitally in just a few steps. No more paperwork, government appointments or waiting for registration and deregistration.

Flexible - how the car subscription adapts to you

The car subscription is also characterised by a high degree of flexibility. Life changes all the time and a car should be able to adapt. Do you need a convertible in summer and an SUV in winter? No problem, with Carvolution you can simply choose between a minimum term of 3 and 48 months. After that, you can keep your car, exchange it for another one or simply return it.

Thanks to the Carvolution app, you always have an overview of your subscription and your invoices. You can also change your kilometre package every month directly in the app.

Affordable - guaranteed not to overpay

As leasing or buying involves various additional costs such as insurance, taxes or service and maintenance spread over the year, these are often forgotten in the total cost calculation. With a car subscription, all costs are included in a transparent monthly price.

As the exact services vary from one car subscription provider to another, it is advisable to check which costs are included with which provider. This will allow you to make a meaningful and complete comparison.

With Carvolution, customers also benefit from streamlined administration and large order quantities, which means that vehicles can be purchased at favourable prices and insurance costs can be kept low for customers. In addition, Carvolution's Best Price Guarantee shows how cheap the car subscription is compared to leasing. If the costs turn out to be higher, the subscription price will be reduced for you. This way you are always on the safe side.

Disadvantages of a car subscription - what to consider

A car subscription has many advantages, but it is not suitable for everyone. Here are some of the things you should be aware of:

  • Pre-configured models: Car subscription providers can offer their vehicles at low prices because they already have numerous configured models. However, configuration down to the smallest detail is therefore not possible.
  • Vehicle selection: Even though car subscription providers have a large selection of models, it is simply not possible to offer every vehicle on the market.
  • Vehicle modifications: If you intend to tune your vehicle, paint it a different colour or make other major changes, a car subscription or leasing is not suitable. However, minor modifications that can be removed without a trace when you return the vehicle are fine.
  • Term: If you buy a used car and drive it for 8 years, it will certainly be cheaper than a subscription. However, if you want to drive a new car for up to 4 years and don't want to worry about servicing, maintenance and repairs, a car subscription is more worthwhile, especially from a financial point of view.

When is a car subscription worthwhile?

If you're not sure whether a car subscription is right for you, use the checklist below to see if your mobility needs are matched:

  • Full flexibility: You only need your car for a few months, want to test drive it and don't know how long and how much you'll be driving? Thanks to the monthly adjustable kilometre package and the option to extend your contract after the minimum term, Carvolution's car subscription is just right for you.
  • Time saving: You don't have time to register your car, wait for a month's delivery or take care of upcoming services.
  • Liquidity and cost control: Don't want to spend a lot of money buying a car and run the risk of it depreciating? Thanks to a transparent and constant fixed monthly price, the car subscription suits you.
  • Variety and comfort: No other form of mobility allows you to enjoy the comfort of a new car so cheaply without committing yourself for a long time.

Conclusion - Is a car subscription worthwhile for you?

Ultimately, it's a very personal decision whether a car subscription is right for you. If you want to drive a car that is as good as new and travel as flexibly and economically as possible, a car subscription in Switzerland is probably the right solution for you. However, if you want to upgrade your car yourself and plan to drive it for more than 6–8 years, you should opt for a used car.

If the car subscription sounds interesting to you, you are welcome to browse through Carvolution's wide range of models or request a non-binding consultation. This way, you are sure to find the right form of mobility for your needs.

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