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Science-based strategies for the perfect selling time
Editorial Team
The autoweg editorial team consists of Swiss automotive market experts creating in-depth guides and market analyses.
When should you sell your car?
The optimal time depends on your strategy:
π Value Maximizer
Sell after: 3-5 years or at 50,000-75,000 km
You avoid the steepest depreciation and still get good prices
βοΈ Usage Maximizer
Sell after: 7-10 years or at 100,000-150,000 km
You achieve the lowest cost per kilometer
π° Cost Minimizer
Sell after: 10+ years or 150,000+ km
You drive until just before major repairs are needed
Important Note
The 100,000 km threshold is the biggest psychological price drop. Sell BEFORE or AFTER this threshold, but never exactly at 100,000 km.
Swiss context: Most Swiss sell after 8 years β but that's not necessarily optimal for your wallet.
The right selling time can make a difference of several thousand francs. Yet most Swiss car owners sell at the wrong time.
This guide is based on TCS data, Comparis market analyses, and real sales data from over 4.5 million vehicles in Switzerland.
You will learn the three scientifically proven selling strategies, the psychological mileage cliffs, and how to calculate your personal sweet spot.
The 100,000 km mark is the biggest psychological price cliff. Sell BEFORE or well AFTER this threshold, but never exactly at 100,000 km.
The mathematical representation of a vehicle's value loss over time. In the first 3 years, a car loses about 50% of its new value, then the curve flattens considerably.
(29 words)
The biggest mistake is not strategically planning the selling time. Those who sell 'just because' often give away thousands of francs.
You bought your car 3 years ago for CHF 35,000. You think you were smart β regular maintenance, careful driving, no accidents. Now that you want to sell, you expect at least CHF 22,000, right?
The reality: Your car is worth CHF 18,000.
That means: You've paid CHF 472 per month just for depreciation. That's CHF 5,666 per year β simply gone. No fuel, no insurance, no repairs. Just pure depreciation.
Most Swiss car owners sell their vehicle at the wrong time. Either:
Too early: They take on the most brutal depreciation without properly using the car
Too late: They drive until it's worthless and get almost nothing for it
Worst of all: They sell randomly β simply when they "want a new car"
This guide is based on Swiss TCS data, Comparis market analyses, and real sales figures from over 4.5 million vehicles.
You'll learn the science-based selling strategies, psychological thresholds, and your personal sweet spot.
The goal: Not the highest sale price, but the lowest cost per kilometer driven.
Before we talk about the optimal time, you need to understand how and why your car loses value.
| Year | Value | Loss (Year) | Total Loss | % of Original |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase | CHF 35,000 | - | - | 100% |
| 1 | CHF 26,250 | - CHF 8,750 | CHF 8,750 | 75% |
| 2 | CHF 22,750 | - CHF 3,500 | CHF 12,250 | 65% |
| 3 | CHF 19,250 | - CHF 3,500 | CHF 15,750 | 55% |
| 4 | CHF 17,150 | - CHF 2,100 | CHF 17,850 | 49% |
| 5 | CHF 15,050 | - CHF 2,100 | CHF 19,950 | 43% |
| 6 | CHF 13,300 | - CHF 1,750 | CHF 21,700 | 38% |
| 7 | CHF 11,900 | - CHF 1,400 | CHF 23,100 | 34% |
| 8 | CHF 10,850 | - CHF 1,050 | CHF 24,150 | 31% |
| 9 | CHF 9,800 | - CHF 1,050 | CHF 25,200 | 28% |
| 10 | CHF 9,100 | - CHF 700 | CHF 25,900 | 26% |
Source: TCS Vehicle Cost Calculation 2025, Allianz Residual Value Guidelines
Loss: 50% of value in 3 years
This is the most brutal phase. Your brand new car loses 25% of its value in the first 12 months β even if you only drive 5,000 km.
Why?
Swiss particularity: According to TCS data 2025, an average new vehicle (CHF 44,400) already costs CHF 923 per month just in depreciation in the first year.
Loss: Additional 20-25% over 4 years
The curve flattens. You're now "only" losing CHF 2,000-3,000 per year instead of CHF 6,000-10,000.
Why this matters:
Loss: Only CHF 500-1,500 per year
From about 8-10 years, the curve flattens almost completely. A 10-year-old car barely loses any more value.
The Usage Paradox:
If you buy a car for CHF 8,000 and drive it for 3 years, you might only lose CHF 2,000 in depreciation. That's CHF 55 per month!
According to Federal Statistical Office (BFS):
This means: Most Swiss car owners keep their vehicles longer than the first depreciation shock, but shorter than total cost minimization.
Our data clearly shows: mileage affects the price more than age. The 100,000 km threshold is the single biggest factor.
There's no "one right answer" β but there are three science-based strategies that work depending on your priorities.
Sell after: 3-5 years | 50,000-75,000 km
Purchase: CHF 35,000 (2020, 0 km)
Sale: CHF 16,000 (2025, 70,000 km)
Depreciation: CHF 19,000
Usage period: 5 years, 70,000 km
Maintenance: CHF 3,500
Insurance: CHF 7,500 (CHF 1,500/year)
Taxes: CHF 1,500
Total costs: CHF 31,500
Cost per km: CHF 0.45/km
Cost per month: CHF 525
Sell after: 7-10 years | 100,000-150,000 km
Purchase: CHF 35,000 (2017, 0 km)
Sale: CHF 8,500 (2025, 130,000 km)
Depreciation: CHF 26,500
Usage period: 8 years, 130,000 km
Maintenance: CHF 7,500 (incl. timing belt, brakes)
Insurance: CHF 12,000
Taxes: CHF 2,400
Total costs: CHF 48,400
Cost per km: CHF 0.37/km β 18% cheaper!
Cost per month: CHF 504
The Paradox: You pay almost the same per month, but your cost per kilometer is 18% lower because you drive more kilometers.
Sell after: 10+ years | 150,000+ km | Or when repair > 50% vehicle value
Purchase: CHF 32,000 (2013, 0 km)
Sale: CHF 2,500 (2025, 220,000 km)
Depreciation: CHF 29,500
Usage period: 12 years, 220,000 km
Maintenance: CHF 12,000
Insurance: CHF 18,000
Taxes: CHF 3,600
Repairs: CHF 4,500
Total costs: CHF 67,600
Cost per km: CHF 0.31/km β 31% cheaper than Strategy 1!
Cost per month: CHF 469
| Criterion | Value Maximizer | Usage Maximizer | Cost Minimizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sell after | 3-5 years | 7-10 years | 10+ years |
| Kilometers | 50-75k km | 100-150k km | 150k+ km |
| Cost/km | CHF 0.40-0.50 | CHF 0.30-0.40 | CHF 0.25-0.35 |
| Residual value | 35-45% | 15-25% | 5-10% |
| Image | Newer car | Medium | Irrelevant |
| Risk | Low | Medium | High |
| Maintenance | CHF 3-5k | CHF 6-8k | CHF 10-15k |
Mileage is not linearly connected to value. There are psychological thresholds where the price suddenly and dramatically drops.
The shocking reality
A car with 95,000 km sells for an average of CHF 15,500.
The same car with 105,000 km sells for CHF 12,200.
That's a CHF 3,300 difference β for 10,000 kilometers!
The truth: Mechanically it makes almost no difference. A well-maintained car with 105,000 km is just as reliable as one with 95,000 km.
| Mileage | Perception | Price Effect | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30,000 km | "Almost new" | +10-15% premium | Sell here for max price |
| 50,000 km | First threshold | -5% drop | Sell at 48k or 55k |
| 100,000 km | MAIN THRESHOLD | -15-25% drop | Never sell exactly here |
| 150,000 km | Very high | -30% vs <100k | Small buyer group |
Source: Carwow UK data analysis, autoweg.ch Swiss market data 2024
Calculate your personal optimal selling time based on your vehicle data.
This calculation is based on average values. Actual value may vary by brand, model and condition.
These mistakes cost you thousands of francs
The 100,000 km mark is the biggest psychological threshold.
Sell at 90,000-95,000 km or wait until 110,000+ km.
Up to CHF 3,000 less
In winter, demand and prices are lower for most vehicles.
Sell in spring (March-May) for the best prices.
Up to CHF 1,500 less
A vehicle with an expiring MOT loses significant value.
Sell before the MOT or invest in passing it.
Up to CHF 2,000 less
Many sell because they 'want a new car', not because it makes financial sense.
Calculate cost per kilometre and decide rationally.
Up to CHF 2,500 less
When a new model launches, the predecessor immediately loses value.
Research planned model changes and sell beforehand.
Up to CHF 2,000 less
Potential total loss: up to CHF 11,000
A real example from the autoweg.ch platform
Stefan from Lucerne owned a BMW 3 Series (2019, 87,000 km). A friend advised him to wait another year.
Had Stefan waited, his BMW would have crossed the 100,000 km mark and a new model would have hit the market.
Instead, Stefan sold strategically at 87,000 km via autoweg.chβin spring, before the model change.
Stefan B.
Lucerne | BMW 320d, 2019, 87,000 km
Stefan received CHF 28,500. Had he waited a year, it would have been approximately CHF 24,400.
βThe data convinced me. Without the guide, I would definitely have waited too long.β
At autoweg.ch, we see the difference every day. Sellers who choose timing strategically achieve on average 12% higher prices.
At autoweg.ch, we see every day how timing affects the price. The data is clearβyet most people sell at the wrong time.
Our goal: help every seller find the optimal time through data-driven insights.
Patrick Steiner
Founder, autoweg.ch
The right selling time can make a difference of several thousand francs. Use data, not gut feeling.
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