I saw a great car I liked, with a repayment well within my means, but the bank told me not to bother until I have accummulated 3 salary slips.

Just FYI. YMMV.

On a similar note, for a likely new resident in the next few months... please would somebody comment on the general requirements for running a car in Switzerland. It seems there is an annual 'revision' (similar to a UK MOT) and then I guess annual road tax and insurance? Is insurance reasonable in Switzerland and what is the best way to organise it?

Is there anything else that one should be aware of? E.g. is it manadatory to switch to winter tyres for half the year and if buying a second hand car is it expected that the second set are included in the sale? Should I check when renting a flat that there is space for said tyres or does one find a friendly mechanic who will keep store the spare set in the off-season?

All thoughts appreciated :-)

HAHAHAHA

Guys... you're not moving to another planet...it's just Switzerland !! Buying a car here is the same like in Belgium, Germany, France, Netherlands, and so on.

For new cars it's easy. Just go the the dealer of the brand you like and tell them that you like to speak to an anglophone salesman. Usually the receptionist will hook you up with the sales guy designated to exapt and diplomate sales. Choose the model, engine, color and kinky floormats and continue to price negotation. Finally pay them cash or ask for a friendly financing. The dealer will take care of the vignet and registration plates. Dont worry about that.

For second hand cars I don't know but try ROC. That';s a pretty big shop and are subsidary of AMAG enterprise. For the ones who don't know, AMAG is the Swiss importer for Audi, Volkswagen, etc. I am sure there are people speaking english.

Insurance is all depending on value + expected kilometers per year. Of course there are some nice options like parking damage insurance which cost you a bit more.

Road tax is depending on which canton you live in. Some cantons it goes by power of the car, others by weight or a combination. For Geneva check at the Office Cantonal des Automobiles et de la Navigation. I made it easy for you, see the link: http: //www.ge.ch/san/baremes-d-impots/welcome.asp?titre=baremes_d__impots

Winter tyres is not mandatory; however you are a fool if you don't switch ;) If you have an accident in winter time and you don't have winter tyres than you are always F#ked. No matter if it's your fault or not, insurance won't pay, simple as that. By the way, you don't want to go into the mountains without winter tyres, but that's another story. Garage can keep your tyres and yes they will charge. I really don't know how much cause I keep mine in my parking box.

If i remember correctly, they charge around 40CHF to store them. Very convenient if you dont have a box

It's really really easy to buy a car here, don't worry at all!  You can find quite a few being advertised privately on glocals and on wrs which will be considerably better value than buying from a garage if you take your time.   To purchase it you just go along with the seller and paperwork to the automobile office in carouge and they give you new plates - here the plates belong to the driver, not the car - and your insurance company, which you line up in advance, will provide the automobile office with a letter of comfort effectively confirming that you have insurance available from the day you are licensed. As a foreigner the other thing you should strongly strongly strongly bear in mind is to have your foreign drivers license changed to a Swiss one withing the first year otherwise you will have to do the whole driving test thingy again.  You do the paperwork at the same office.  There is an MOT equivalent on second hand cars (an 'expertise') so check for that - it is more relevant for cars over ten years old if i remember correctly but again it is something that will be necessary to prove when you take the car in your name so the seller will be aware of it.  For the  tax, if you live in Geneva it is based on the purchase price AT NEW of the car and its power.  Any purchase price over about chf 42,000 and the tax rate goes up exponentially.  And in case you are wondering it doesnt matter if that purchase price was set ten years ago and the current value is chf5000 - if the original purchase price was 60,000 francs then expect a hefty tax bill per year.  Then you pay 40 francs for a badge on the car to allow you to drive on the motorways.

As for winter tyres as Arnovd says don't give it a thought, just change them as part of the baggage that goes with living here.  You will notice a huge benefit in driving with them and having used them for a while it seems nuts that the UK doesnt enforce them too given how people get stranded every year!

www.car4you.ch will give you an indication of prices.

for HP or leasing you need 3 salary slips or proof of contract with no probabtion period, and will need to pay 10-30% initial. Or if using a bank like CS or BCV/BCG etc you may deposit some collateral until you have 3 pay dates through your account.

Hp/leasing firms are Bank Now and Cashgate, details you will see also on the website above.

For cars over 4yrs age, yes you need a annual or bi annual test on emissions and also general, a garage often can sort it out for you at minimal costs.

The sales man if you buy froma garage will also help with number plates and registration etc... insurance you can see at www.comparis.ch for quotes.

depending on where you live I kniow a very helpful and well priced specialist dealer in gland. (I got a Audi TT Quatro and Porsche Cayenne S from him and he sorted out the financing also).

hope this helps

Are ypu trying to help or just bragging? ;)

what? that wasnt helpful? :-)

(still thirsty)

Does anybody know the procedures of buying a car with French plates? I once spotted a good deal but was hesitant since I didnt want the hassle dealing with both French and Swiss administratives