Drive Longer: A Car Can Go Further Than You Think
Cars in Switzerland are getting older and older; for the first time, the average age has surpassed the 10-year mark. Here’s why that doesn’t have to be a bad thing.
In Switzerland today, a car is kept for a full 10.5 years before its owner trades it in for a new one. Twenty-five years ago, the vehicle fleet was significantly younger, with an average age of 7.4 years. Swiss people are therefore driving their cars longer than they used to. As a result, importers can only dream of pre-pandemic sales figures of over 300,000 passenger cars per year. Last year, there were 233,737 new registrations, and car sales in 2026 are also showing clear signs of slowing down. In Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein, only 135,542 new cars had been registered by July; the only positive signs are coming from electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids.
Age is not a negative thing
But an aging vehicle fleet doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing. The longer you drive your car, the more evenly the energy and materials used in its production are spread out over time. So, using your car wisely instead of quickly upgrading to a newer model is better for the environment—and for your wallet, too. After all, a new car always costs a pretty penny, and the initial depreciation alone—as soon as the new car rolls out of the showroom—hits hard. Often, about a quarter of its value is lost in the very first year! Every additional kilometer thus lowers the total cost.
What’s more, modern cars are now true long-distance runners. In the past, 100,000 km was considered the wear-and-tear limit, but today that’s when vehicles are usually just getting started: 250,000 km is the new 100,000 km. ’Since I’ve been driving a used car instead of leasing a new one, I’ve been saving over 6,000 francs a year,’ Elena reveals with a satisfied smile, proudly pointing to the odometer reading. ’290,000 kilometers—and my paid-off Mitsubishi Outlander is still running reliably. I’ve never gotten around so cheaply.« With the money she saved, the young mother was able to redecorate her child’s room.
Traveling More Sustainably, Too
Anyone who continues to drive their car even after 150,000 km, rather than buying a new gasoline-powered car, for example, also significantly reduces their environmental impact. Less CO₂, less water consumption, and less waste—overall, this results in up to 14 percent less environmental impact across the car’s entire life cycle. Driving the car longer also helps conserve valuable raw materials. If you drive another 100,000 km instead of switching to a new car, continuing to drive your current vehicle can reduce the consumption of aluminum, copper, and steel in car production by up to 35 percent—even if the old car is eventually recycled.
Driving your car longer is good for the environment and, at the same time, an opportunity for Swiss auto repair shops and body shops, whose valuable work in maintenance, repairs, and consulting can best be put to use this way. That’s because a professional repair at a carXpert partner extends a vehicle’s lifespan and, compared to premature replacement, actually conserves resources. Well-maintained cars last longer—even longer than you might think—and save you money. So, the next time you have a problem or are in an accident, it’s best to contact or visit one of the independent, high-quality auto repair shops or body shops in the nationwide carXpert network and get expert, first-hand advice on a repair that reflects the vehicle’s current market value.
The carXpert network
The name says it all: Behind the name carXpert Behind this lies a nationwide network of over 290 independent, high-quality auto repair shops and over 60 independent auto body shops—all of them experts when it comes to your car. At these multi-brand shops, every car feels right at home with the qualified specialists because it is serviced and repaired according to the manufacturer’s specifications using original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts—guaranteed to maintain your warranty! This premium network offers the highest level of expertise and service quality, as well as benefits such as roadside assistance and used-car warranties. carXpert partners are also the ideal people to turn to for topics like pre-vacation checks and starter batteries! Many of them offer pre-vacation checks at affordable fixed prices. This usually includes a check of the starter battery. If a replacement is needed, carXpert partner A wide range of batteries, from economy models to high-tech premium batteries.
*The content was created by the Autosprint editorial team in collaboration with carXpert. Cars of all makes are welcome in the carXpert garages and body shops.
