Frequently asked questions
And everything you need to know about selling your car with Autobuster.
Sales process
Start online in just a few minutes. Our experts inspect your vehicle, agree the right asking price with you, and handle everything from listings and buyer inquiries to test drives, negotiations, contracts, and secure payment.
The selling time largely depends on your asking price. Vehicles priced in line with the market typically sell within about 75 days. If speed is your priority, a more competitive price can attract more enquiries and lead to a faster sale.
Higher asking price: Maximum profit potential, but usually a longer selling period.
Market-price strategy: The best balance between selling price and time to sale.
Quick-sale strategy: Lower asking price, more buyer interest, and a faster sale.
We’ll help you choose the strategy that best fits your goals.
Once the vehicle has been handed over to the buyer, we will transfer the proceeds directly to you.
No. If your car is with Autobuster, we handle the test drives completely. This is more convenient, increases the closing rate, and often even the price. Alternatively, we can accompany you to appointments.
Only if you’d like to be. We normally handle all communication with potential buyers. Direct contact is usually limited to a test drive if you choose to attend.
You can drop off your car at one of our partner locations or at a TCS site in German-speaking Switzerland. During a short intake appointment (around 15 minutes), we’ll assess the vehicle together and agree on the best sales strategy. We take care of everything else.
We’ll discuss possible price adjustments with you. If the car still doesn’t sell, the sales agreement simply ends at no cost to you. You’ll only be charged for any additional services you specifically requested.
Please bring the car, both keys, the vehicle registration document, the service history, and any additional wheels or tyres if available. This allows us to inspect the car thoroughly and provide an accurate valuation.
An independent expert, such as TCS, checks the vehicle’s condition and documents any defects. Together, we’ll decide which repairs, if any, make sense before the sale. If the required work is too extensive, you can withdraw from the process at no cost.
Yes. Whether your car is still registered or already deregistered, it remains insured while it is in our care. Our business insurance covers damage that may occur while the vehicle is stored or handled by Autobuster.
You have two options:
You can leave the car with us together with the license plate, and we’ll take care of everything. In this case, the vehicle remains registered and is only deregistered once it has been successfully sold.
Alternatively, you can deregister the vehicle before the sale. In this case, the license plate is returned to the cantonal road traffic office and the vehicle is officially deregistered.
You can hand over your car at our headquarters in Liestal or at one of our partner locations across Switzerland, including Affoltern am Albis and Winterthur.
Alternatively, you can hand over your car directly to one of our team members during your TCS appointment. Either way, we make the handover process as simple and convenient as possible.
If you’re still using your car when a buyer requests a test drive, we’ll coordinate everything for you.
Test drives can take place at one of our partner garages, a TCS location, or at our headquarters in Liestal.
An Autobuster representative will be there to manage the appointment and support both you and the prospective buyer throughout the test drive.
In some cases, we may not be able to sell your car within the agreed timeframe. If that happens, you can end the agreement and decide whether you’d like to take the car back or sell it yourself.
Alternatively, we can review the situation together and identify why the car hasn’t sold yet. In many cases, the reason is the asking price or the chosen selling period. We can usually adjust the strategy and improve the chances of a successful sale.
Best of all: you won’t pay anything unless your car is successfully sold.
Most cars sold through Autobuster find a buyer within 45 to 60 days, and many sell even faster.
After the sale, we need around 20 days to complete the final paperwork and handover process. Once everything has been finalized, we’ll transfer the proceeds to your account.
First, we’ll assess your car’s condition and provide a realistic valuation.
We’ll then discuss your preferred selling price and timeframe, and agree on the best strategy for your sale.
Next, we’ll arrange a handover appointment at one of our locations. If you prefer, we can also organize an inspection at a TCS centre.
The selling timeframe is largely up to you. In general, the more time we have to market the car, the higher the price we’re likely to achieve. If a quick sale is your priority, we can also adapt the strategy to sell the vehicle faster.
In most cases, we recommend allowing 60 to 90 days for the sale. This reflects the average time needed to achieve the best possible result.
Costs
We charge a 5% service fee based on the final sale price – and only if your car is successfully sold. We also offer optional services such as MFK preparation and warranty packages, which can help increase the selling price and improve the chances of a successful sale.
No. The only exception is if you choose to book additional services before the sale. If you terminate the agreement before the agreed term ends, a flat fee of CHF 500 will apply.
We carry out an initial cleaning to ensure your car is presented in the best possible condition.
We only advertise vehicles that have been professionally cleaned and prepared to a high standard. A well-presented car not only looks more attractive but can also increase buyer confidence and improve its selling potential.
This makes your car more attractive to buyers and can help achieve a higher selling price.
Our goal is to achieve the highest possible selling price for your car.
Once your car is sold, you receive the sale proceeds less our 5% success-based service fee.
Additional costs only arise if work such as servicing or preparation for the Swiss roadworthiness inspection (MFK) is required. You’re free to have this work carried out by us or by a garage of your choice.
Discover how easy selling your car can be with Autobuster – we’d love to hear from you.
Benefits & Comparison
Selling your car with Autobuster couldn’t be easier. We take care of listings, buyer enquiries, test drives, negotiations, contracts and payment, while often helping you achieve a higher selling price than a traditional trade-in. Best of all, you only pay if your car is successfully sold.
Unlike a traditional trade-in, Autobuster doesn’t buy your car and resell it at a profit. Instead, we market and sell the vehicle on your behalf. Because there is no dealer resale margin, you keep more of the final selling price.
Eurotax and auto-i provide vehicle valuations based primarily on dealer market data. Autobuster goes a step further by estimating the realistic private-sale value of your car using live market listings, buyer demand and actual selling prices—and then helps you sell it at that price.
TCS provides independent vehicle inspections and technical expertise. Autobuster combines these independent checks with professional vehicle marketing, buyer communication, negotiations and sales management. By working with trusted partners such as TCS, we ensure expert support throughout the entire sales process.
AutoScout24 is primarily a marketplace where sellers manage the sales process themselves. Autobuster handles everything for you—from valuation and advertising to buyer enquiries, negotiations and handover. We also use AutoScout24 as one of several sales channels to maximise your chances of finding the right buyer.
We combine data-driven valuations with real-world market experience. Thanks to thousands of buyer enquiries and customer interactions, we understand the market, can accurately assess your car’s value, and help you sell it safely, transparently, and with minimal effort.
Autobuster covers the cost of the TCS inspection because we want every privately sold vehicle to undergo an independent and thorough inspection.
A professional TCS inspection also increases buyer confidence. Vehicles that have been independently inspected are generally more attractive to buyers and often achieve a better selling price.
To achieve the best possible result, your car should be thoroughly cleaned and professionally prepared before it is advertised.
It’s also important to have all relevant documents available, including an up-to-date service history and a valid MFK inspection certificate.
Another important factor is a warranty. If desired, we can arrange an extended warranty for your vehicle. This increases buyer confidence and can further improve your car’s market appeal and value.
Valuation & Vehicle Inspection
Our valuation combines proprietary technology with market data from the past 12 months and our industry expertise. This allows us to provide an accurate online valuation in more than 95% of cases. Before the vehicle is offered for sale, it also undergoes an independent inspection.
Our valuation is usually very accurate. However, prices can be harder to predict for very new models or in fast-moving markets, such as certain EV segments. If necessary, we’ll review the valuation together and make adjustments based on current market conditions.
Key factors include the vehicle’s age, make and model, mileage, equipment level and overall condition. A complete service history, accident-free record and desirable options can increase the value. Market demand, supply and current trends also play an important role.
A well-maintained vehicle with a recent service and valid MFK inspection is generally more attractive to buyers and can achieve a higher selling price. Damage or defects may reduce the value or discourage potential buyers. Transparent communication about the vehicle’s condition helps build trust and supports a successful sale.
As long as the vehicle is roadworthy, it can still be sold. We document any defects and discuss whether a price adjustment makes more sense than carrying out repairs. In many cases, this is the most cost-effective solution.
We assess modifications and accessories on a case-by-case basis. The key factors are legality and roadworthiness. If properly documented, upgrades such as alloy wheels or performance exhaust systems can increase buyer interest and, in some cases, the vehicle’s value.
We only sell roadworthy vehicles. Every car is inspected, any defects are documented with photos, and all relevant information is communicated transparently. Well-maintained vehicles generally attract more buyer interest and tend to sell faster.
We can coordinate everything for you, including servicing, repairs, detailing, bodywork, paintwork and windscreen repairs or replacement. Any work is carried out only when necessary and with your approval.
That’s rarely an issue. We’ll inspect your car carefully and discuss the best approach for the sale without recommending unnecessary repairs.
Only vehicle-related information is available. No personal data is returned, and we cannot identify or contact the registered owner through the lookup.
The prices shown on our website are based on current market data and are regularly reviewed to reflect real market conditions as accurately as possible.
What cannot be fully assessed online is the vehicle’s actual condition. That’s why the next step is an independent technical inspection, either at one of our locations or at a TCS centre.
The vehicle is inspected in detail, allowing us to provide an accurate valuation. Based on the results, we’ll agree on the most suitable pricing strategy for the sale.
First, we evaluate your car and agree on a three-stage pricing strategy.
We begin with an ambitious target price designed to maximise your return. We then define a realistic market price, which is typically the range in which the vehicle is expected to sell within 60 to 90 days. Finally, we agree on a minimum acceptable price that you would not want to go below.
This approach allows us to start with the highest realistic selling price while maintaining the flexibility to adapt to market demand and secure a successful sale.