Electric vehicles now account for roughly a quarter of new car registrations in Switzerland. As a result, more and more first- and second-generation EVs are reaching the used car market – and many owners discover that selling an electric car follows different rules than selling a petrol or diesel model. This guide explains what really matters when selling an EV in Switzerland.
Why electric cars depreciate faster
In recent years EVs have lost value more quickly than comparable combustion cars. There are three main reasons:
- Rapid technological progress: a model with 250 km of real-world range now competes with new cars that manage 450 km at a similar price.
- New car price cuts: when list prices fall, used values drop immediately.
- Battery uncertainty: buyers fear expensive replacement costs and build a risk discount into their offers.
In practice, a three-year-old compact EV may have lost 45 to 55 percent of its original price. Postponing the sale means losing more – depreciation is steepest during the first five years.
The battery is half the price
With a combustion engine, buyers look at mileage and service history. With an EV, the State of Health (SoH) of the battery is the key figure. It shows what percentage of the original capacity is still available.
| Battery SoH | Assessment | Effect on price |
|---|---|---|
| above 92 % | very good | full market value |
| 85–92 % | normal for 3–6 years | slight discount |
| 75–85 % | increased degradation | clear discount |
| below 75 % | check warranty claim | heavy discount |
Many garages and independent testing services issue an SoH certificate for CHF 80 to 200. If the results are good, that investment often pays for itself several times over. The battery warranty matters too: most manufacturers guarantee 8 years or 160,000 kilometres for at least 70 percent remaining capacity. A transferable remaining warranty is a strong selling point, so have the documents ready.
MFK, deregistration and paperwork
Electric cars also have to pass the MFK vehicle inspection. The first test is usually due four years after initial registration, then every three years and later every two. The advantage: there is no emissions test. Instead, the cantonal road traffic office (Strassenverkehrsamt) checks brakes, suspension, lighting and electrical safety. Because EVs are heavier and use regenerative braking, tyres and wheel bearings are the most common points of criticism.
The selling process itself is the same as for any other vehicle: vehicle registration document, service booklet, all charging cables, the second key and, if available, the invoice for your wallbox installation. Deregistration at the cantonal road traffic office costs roughly CHF 20 to 40 depending on the canton, and unused road tax is refunded pro rata. Remember to inform your insurer as well.
Who buys used electric cars today?
The buyer pool for used EVs is narrower than for combustion cars. Traditional used car dealers often hesitate because they cannot assess the battery risk and expect longer standing times. For export, pure EVs are less attractive in some destination markets that lack charging infrastructure – but there are very active markets in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe.
Your realistic options:
- Private sale: potentially the highest price, but many battery-related questions, a longer sales period and liability risk.
- Trade-in at a garage: convenient, but trade-in values for EVs are often particularly low.
- Specialised buyer: immediate payment, no haggling over the SoH, completion within a few days.
Practical tips that raise the price
- Charge the car to 80–100 percent before the valuation so the range display is meaningful.
- Install any available software update.
- Tyres with less than 3 mm of tread cost you more at sale than new tyres would.
- Delete your user account and remove the car from your app before handover.
Sell your EV quickly and fairly
autosofortkauf.ch in Wangen-Brüttisellen buys electric and hybrid vehicles of all brands – regardless of battery condition, mileage or MFK status. You receive a free valuation, we collect the car anywhere in Switzerland at no cost and pay immediately in cash. Accident and defective vehicles, including EVs with battery problems, are equally welcome. Simply send us the make, model, year and mileage and you will receive a binding offer shortly.