Car sharing
CHF 10,000: Why your car is so expensive
29.08.2021
Find out what the costs are and what expenses you might not have thought about. And find out if the Swiss know how much their car costs.
You are most likely to underestimate how much your car will cost a year: around CHF 10,000. Among other things, this calculates of Touring Club (TCS) or even the Comparis comparison service before.
The CHF 10,000 includes both fixed and variable costs.
Fixed costs (fixed costs): Depreciation, return on capital, traffic tax, third-party insurance, partial cover, ancillary expenses, garage costs, vehicle maintenance.
Variable costs (depending on mileage): Impairment, fuel expenses, tyres, servicing and repairs.
(Source: TCS)
Let’s take a more detailed look at the individual costs.
How much do the insurance policies cost?
In Switzerland, you can't avoid third-party liability insurance for motor vehicles. Logically, the corresponding premium varies depending on the insurer, vehicle, full or partial cover and the no-claims bonus level. But on average, you pay CHF 1,000 for cover – year in, year out. Incidentally, the amount is higher in the case of leasing, as fully comprehensive insurance and special surcharges apply.
How much does a parking space cost?
Cars need a place where they stand motionless for an average of 23 hours out of 24 hours. Yes, you read that correctly – a car in Switzerland is only driven for an hour a day on average. The TCS calculates average parking costs of CHF 1,600 per year and per car in Switzerland. That’s the equivalent of CHF 133 per month.
How high are the maintenance costs for servicing and repairs?
An assumption of CHF 850 is made for the annual maintenance costs. This includes motor vehicle inspection, exhaust emission maintenance and servicing. When it comes to service, the bigger the car, the more expensive it is. This does not include repairs following accidents or costs due to breakdowns.
How do I calculate the depreciation?
The human brain has an important capacity: forgetting. This is probably why many people seem to be squeezing the purchase price of their car. Experts anticipate a total depreciation after ten years, with a disproportionate depreciation over the first two years. Or to put it simply: Every year, you can deduct an average of 10% of the purchase price – which is equivalent to CHF 3,500 for a TCS sample car. But it is not only the age of a vehicle that leaves its mark, but also the kilometres covered: 2% of the new price is added for every 10,000 kilometres driven.
What about the gas? And the tyre?
1,600 francs are spent on petrol and around 500 francs a year on tyres. Tyres are an important safety factor and must be replaced after around 30,000 kilometres, depending on driving style.
How high do I have to pay taxes and interest?
Taxes, interest and other expenses come in at CHF 850.
Comparison of fixed and variable costs
Conclusion: Very few people are likely to be aware of how expensive a private car really is. The pie chart shows an overview of the fixed and variable costs.
With more than CHF 10,000, you have to consider whether you don’t want to change the saddle – especially if you have two cars. This is the case for 30% of Swiss citizens.