Sell your car: valuation and consignment
Consignment means entrusting the sale of your car to a garage without selling it to the garage. At SwissMcars, in Villeneuve (VD), you sign a marketing mandate: the car remains yours until it is sold. You set the net amount you want to receive, and it is written into the contract. We photograph and film the car, publish the listings and accompany every test drive.
- Net amount written into the contract
- Photos, video and listings handled by us
- Test drives always accompanied
- Paid out within 24 hours of receiving payment
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Consignment, net amount, mandate: what do these terms mean?
- Consignment
- You entrust the sale of your car to SwissMcars without selling it to us. It remains yours until it is sold.
- Net amount
- The sum you want to receive if the car is sold. You set it, and it is written into the contract.
- Mandate
- The contract that instructs SwissMcars to market your car. We act under articles 394 et seq. of the Swiss Code of Obligations.
- Online consignment
- You keep your car while we market it.
- Showroom consignment
- You leave your car with us: it is displayed in our showroom, parked on our premises and insured for as long as it is there.
What are the three ways to sell your car in Switzerland?
You can sell your car yourself, place it on consignment, or sell it directly to a garage. On consignment with SwissMcars, you remain the owner until the sale and you set the net amount, while we handle the listings, introductions to buyers and the test drives. The table compares the three options point by point.
| Comparison point | Consignment with SwissMcars | Selling it yourself | Selling to a garage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who sets the price | You set the net amount, written into the contract | You | The garage, through its offer |
| Listings and introductions to buyers | SwissMcars | You | No listing |
| Test drives with buyers | Identified buyers only, always accompanied by SwissMcars | You organise and accompany them | No buyers to meet |
| Owner during the sale | You, until the sale | You | The garage, from the buyback |
Would you rather sell directly to a garage? We also buy cars outright.
See our car buybackHow do you get your car valued before selling it?
To have SwissMcars value your car, describe it to us: make, model, year, mileage, condition and service history. The simplest way is the form below, a phone call or a WhatsApp message. We talk it through with you, and you are the one who sets the net amount you want to receive: it is written into the contract. Photos and video are then taken at our showroom in Villeneuve.
Describe your car
Fields marked with an asterisk are required. We will get back to you to talk it through.
Got photos? Send them to us on WhatsApp, it is the simplest way.
Online calculator or garage?
An online calculator gives an average for a model, a year and a mileage. It cannot see your car's condition, its service history or its options.
Online or showroom consignment: which option should you choose?
SwissMcars offers two consignment options. With online consignment, you keep your car while we market it. With showroom consignment, you leave it with us: it is displayed in Villeneuve, parked on our premises and insured for as long as it is there. Either way, photos, video and test drives take place at our showroom.
| Comparison point | Online consignment | Showroom consignment |
|---|---|---|
| Where the car stays | With you | On our premises in Villeneuve, insured for as long as it is there |
| Displayed in the showroom | No | Yes |
| Storage | Not applicable | Included for the first month |
With both options
- Photos, video and listings, also shared on social media
- Photos, video and test drives at our showroom in Villeneuve
- Test drives with identified buyers only, always accompanied by SwissMcars
- Ending the consignment: no notice after one month, 7 days' notice before
For showroom consignment, we can come and collect the car.
How does the sale work, step by step?
From your first message to the payout, here are the five steps of a consignment sale with SwissMcars.
You describe your car
Using the form, by phone or on WhatsApp. We talk it through with you.
The contract
We agree on the net amount and the option together. You sign the consignment contract and receive a copy.
Photos and video
The shoot takes place at our showroom in Villeneuve. The listings are then published on car marketplaces and social media.
Test drives
Only with identified buyers, always accompanied by SwissMcars.
The sale and the payout
You receive a statement of the sale and sign a receipt. You are paid within 24 hours of the payment being received.
How much do you receive when the car is sold?
You set the net amount you want to receive if the car is sold: it is written into the contract, and that is the amount you get. SwissMcars is paid out of the sale price achieved. Once the car is sold, you are paid within 24 hours of the payment being received. If the car is on a lease, what is still owed to the leasing company is settled out of that net amount.
Is your car on a lease? Can you still sell it on consignment?
Yes, you can leave it with us. Until the lease is paid off, the car belongs to the leasing company. When the car is sold, SwissMcars always settles the lease directly with the leasing company, VAT included, out of the agreed net amount. If that amount is higher than what is still owed, you keep the difference. If it is lower, you pay us the shortfall, along with the costs of the operation. The car is therefore sold free of any financial commitment.
Not to be confused with a lease takeover, where someone else continues your contract in your place.
Transfer your lease contractEntrusted to us, sold by us
These cars did not belong to us. Their owners placed them with us on consignment, and we sold them on their behalf.
BMW M2 Steptronic 2023
AUDI RSQ3 2020
BMW M3 Competition 2022
Cupra Formentor 2023
BMW X5 45e Msport Edition St.Moritz 0/50 2020
Audi RS4 gris nardo 2018
Would you rather sell directly to a garage?
We also buy cars outright. With a buyback, SwissMcars buys your car on its own account, without waiting for a buyer to come along. On consignment, the car remains yours until it is sold, and you set the net amount written into the contract. For a buyback offer, visit our dedicated page, or choose “Sell to the garage” in the form.
What should you know before leaving your car with us?
How does consignment work at SwissMcars?
You sign a marketing mandate: the car remains yours until it is sold. You set the net amount you want to receive, and it is written into the contract. We photograph and film the car, publish the listings and accompany every test drive, with identified buyers only. SwissMcars acts under articles 394 et seq. of the Swiss Code of Obligations.
Does my car have to stay with you?
No, there are two options. With online consignment, you keep your car while we market it. With showroom consignment, it is displayed in Villeneuve, parked on our premises and insured for as long as it is there, and we can come and collect it.
What is the difference between consignment and a buyback?
With a buyback, the garage buys the car on its own account. On consignment, the car remains yours until it is sold, and you set the net amount written into the contract. SwissMcars offers both: for a buyback offer, go to our dedicated buyback page.
How do I get my car valued?
Through the form on this page, by phone on +41 78 339 11 52 or on WhatsApp. Tell us the make, model, year, mileage, condition and service history. We talk it through with you, and you set the net amount written into the contract.
Where and when can we meet?
At the SwissMcars showroom, Zone industrielle C68, 1844 Villeneuve. Visits are by appointment, Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 18:30 and Saturday from 10:00 to 16:00.
When am I paid after the sale?
Once the car is sold, you are paid within 24 hours of the payment being received. You receive a statement of the sale and sign a receipt.
My car is not selling: can I take it back?
Yes. Has your car not sold after one month? You can end the consignment and take it back without notice. Before one month, the notice period is 7 days.
My car is on a lease: can I place it on consignment?
Yes. Until the lease is paid off, the car belongs to the leasing company. When the car is sold, SwissMcars settles the lease directly with the leasing company, VAT included, out of the agreed net amount. If that amount is higher than what is still owed, you keep the difference. If it is lower, you pay us the shortfall, along with the costs of the operation.
Where are the photos and test drives done?
Whether the consignment is online or in the showroom, photos, video and test drives take place at our showroom in Villeneuve. Test drives are with identified buyers only, and always accompanied by SwissMcars.
Who sells the car to the buyer?
SwissMcars. To the buyer, we are the only seller, acting as agent for the sale. The car is not sold to us: you remain its owner (or its registered keeper, if it is leased) until it is sold.
Let's talk about your car
Write to us, call us or visit the showroom by appointment. We will talk it through with you.
- Zone industrielle C68, 1844 Villeneuve
- Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 18:30, Saturday from 10:00 to 16:00, by appointment