Discover how to make a profit through leasing arbitrage in Switzerland. Step-by-step guide with a real example and concrete figures.
You're driving a leased car and your contract is about to end? A lucrative profit opportunity might be right under your nose: leasing arbitrage. With this strategy, you buy back your leased vehicle at the contractually agreed residual value and then sell it at the higher market value. The difference is your profit.
Sounds too good to be true? It's not. Many car owners in Switzerland are already using this opportunity – often without knowing they're doing "arbitrage". In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn everything you need to know.
Leasing arbitrage refers to the strategy where you buy back your vehicle at the end of a leasing contract at the contractually fixed residual value and then resell it at the higher market value. The difference between the buyback price and the sale proceeds is your profit.
Important for Switzerland: Unlike some other countries, in Switzerland the lessee does not automatically have a buyback right at the residual value. Often the garage (car dealer) has a right of first refusal.
Solution: Check your leasing contract carefully or contact the leasing company 2-3 months before the end of the contract to clarify your options.
Let us show you a real example from practice (details anonymised):
2-3 months before contract end
What you need to find out:
Wo finden: In the leasing contract (section "End of contract" or "Options") or by contacting the leasing company directly
Practical tip: Call your leasing company 3 months before the end of the contract and ask explicitly: "Do I have the option to buy the vehicle at the residual value, or does the garage have a right of first refusal?"
AMAG, AMAG-Occasions: Free valuation | TCS: Used car valuation (approx. CHF 200)
Advantage: Written expertise
Potential profit = Market value - Residual value - Ancillary costs
Notification to leasing company (in writing, 1-2 months before end)
Payment of residual value (transfer or financing)
Vehicle takeover (arrange pickup date, collect vehicle registration)
Re-registration (road traffic office, approx. CHF 50, insurance: comprehensive → liability)
If you can't pay the residual value in cash, there are two options: personal loan (interest rate approx. 4-6% p.a.) or car loan (interest rate approx. 3-5% p.a.). With a residual value of CHF 15,000 and resale after 4 weeks, interest costs amount to only approx. CHF 50-60.
Vorteile:
Nachteil: Dealers want profit margin (approx. 10-15% below private market price)
Ablauf:
Vorteile: Potentially highest price, direct negotiation
Nachteile: Time investment, risk (scammers, payment default), often takes 4-8 weeks
Vorteil: Fast and uncomplicated
Nachteil: Lowest price (20-30% below market value), no arbitrage profit
No. In Switzerland, the buyback right is not automatic. Often the garage has a right of first refusal. Check your contract or enquire with the leasing company.
Then you cannot buy the vehicle at the residual value. The garage buys it and resells it – the profit goes to the garage. Solution: Talk to the garage early, they often waive.
No. You can finance the buyback (personal loan, car loan). For a short holding period (until resale), interest costs are minimal.
Optimal process: Preparation 2-4 weeks, buyback 1 week, sale via autoweg 1-2 weeks. Total: 4-6 weeks.
You keep it. No problem! You're driving a vehicle you know, bought at a fair price. Or: Lower the price and relist.
Yes, absolutely legal. You buy a vehicle at a contractually fixed price and resell it. Completely legitimate.
Yes and no. Electric cars currently often have higher depreciation than combustion vehicles. Exception: Tesla Model 3/Y with high demand. Calculate precisely!
Yes, with every leasing contract. But beware: Commercial trading can become taxable. For 1-2 vehicles per year, no problem.
Check your options now!
Leasing arbitrage is one of the few "free money" opportunities in the car market. If the calculation works out, you make a nice profit with minimal risk. If not, you simply return the vehicle.
Submit your vehicle for free and without obligation on autoweg.ch and receive concrete dealer offers within 24-48 hours. You'll know exactly what selling price to expect.
Get your leasing contract and check: Residual value, buyback right, notice period
Call and ask directly: Do I have a buyback right? Does the garage have a right of first refusal? What are my options at the end of the contract?
