By Anna Katharina Finsler, Managing Director, Finsler Customs GmbH · Last updated:
Warranty on imported vehicles
The manufacturer's warranty applies Europe-wide — in Switzerland too — and can be claimed at any official brand dealer. The German seller's statutory liability for defects applies as well, but is harder to enforce across a border. For older vehicles an extended warranty of 12 to 36 months is worth having.
The three layers of cover
| Layer | Who provides it | Valid in Switzerland? |
|---|---|---|
| Factory warranty | The manufacturer (BMW, Audi, Volvo and so on) | Yes, Europe-wide at any brand dealer |
| Statutory liability for defects | The German seller, by law | Yes, but enforcing it across the border is laborious |
| Extended or used-car warranty | A warranty insurer | Yes, provided Swiss cover has been agreed |
The factory warranty is the protection that matters
Depending on the make, a new car carries 2 to 7 years of manufacturer's warranty — Kia 7 years, Hyundai 5, Toyota 3 plus an extension. That warranty is attached to the vehicle, not to the country: AMAG, BMW Schweiz and Mercedes-Benz Schweiz settle warranty claims on imported cars as a matter of routine. What they do insist on is a complete, ideally digital service record.
Liability for defects at the German dealer
German dealers are liable by law for two years for defects that were present at handover; on used cars this is frequently cut to one year. In practice a claim means either taking the car back to Germany or negotiating who pays — which is where running the purchase through a professional importer helps, because we keep the dealer contact.
An extended warranty for older cars
For vehicles outside the factory warranty, specialised warranty insurers offer used-car warranties running 12 to 36 months with cover in Switzerland, including the central assemblies: engine, gearbox and electronics. You sign the contract directly with the provider. You can also take out a Quality1 warranty with us; we will tell you the terms on request.
What to do before you buy
- Have the warranty status verified against the VIN with the Swiss importer before you commit.
- Have the service record and the most recent invoices handed over with the car.
- On margin-scheme vehicles from small traders, budget for an extended warranty from the outset.
- Ask for the warranty terms in writing and check whether they name a territory. On a young used car that is worth more than a price reduction.
Factory and battery warranty by make (cars bought in Germany)
The table shows the factory warranty on the whole vehicle and, for electric cars and plug-in hybrids, the warranty on the high-voltage battery. The figures are the manufacturers' German terms for model years 2024 to 2026; for the individual car, its warranty booklet is binding. The period runs from the first registration, not from the date of import.
| Make | Factory warranty | Battery warranty (EV, plug-in hybrid) |
|---|---|---|
| Audi | 2 years, unlimited km | 8 years / 160,000 km (e-tron) |
| BMW | 2 years, unlimited km | 8 years / 160,000 km (i models) |
| Citroën | 2 years, unlimited km | 8 years / 160,000 km (ë models, 70 %) |
| Cupra | 2 years, unlimited km | 8 years / 160,000 km (Born, Tavascan) |
| Dacia | 3 years / 100,000 km | 8 years / 120,000 km (Spring) |
| Fiat | 2 years, unlimited km | 8 years / 160,000 km (500e, 600e) |
| Ford | 2 years, unlimited km | 8 years / 160,000 km (Mustang Mach-E, Explorer EV) |
| Honda | 3 years / 100,000 km | 8 years / 160,000 km (e:Ny1, e:HEV) |
| Hyundai | 5 years, unlimited km | 8 years / 160,000 km (Ioniq, Kona EV) |
| Jaguar | 3 years / 100,000 km | 8 years / 160,000 km (I-Pace) |
| Kia | 7 years / 150,000 km | 7 years / 150,000 km (EV6, Niro EV) |
| Land Rover | 3 years / 100,000 km | 8 years / 160,000 km (PHEV/EV) |
| Lexus | 3 years / 100,000 km | 10 years / 1 million km (hybrid, with annual check) |
| Mazda | 3 years / 100,000 km | 8 years / 160,000 km (MX-30) |
| Mercedes-Benz | 2 years, unlimited km | 8 years / 160,000 km (EQ models) |
| Mini | 2 years, unlimited km | 8 years / 100,000 km (Mini Electric) |
| Mitsubishi | 5 years / 100,000 km | 8 years / 160,000 km (Outlander PHEV) |
| Nissan | 3 years / 100,000 km | 8 years / 160,000 km (Leaf, Ariya) |
| Opel | 2 years, unlimited km | 8 years / 160,000 km (Corsa-e, Mokka-e) |
| Peugeot | 2 years, unlimited km | 8 years / 160,000 km (e-208, e-2008) |
| Polestar | 3 years / 100,000 km | 8 years / 160,000 km (all models) |
| Porsche | 2 years, unlimited km | 8 years / 160,000 km (Taycan) |
| Renault | 2 years, unlimited km | 8 years / 160,000 km (Mégane E-Tech, Scenic E-Tech) |
| Seat | 2 years, unlimited km | 8 years / 160,000 km (Mii electric, discontinued) |
| Škoda | 2 years, unlimited km | 8 years / 160,000 km (Enyaq, Elroq) |
| Smart | 2 years, unlimited km | 8 years / 100,000 km (EQ, #1, #3) |
| Subaru | 5 years / 160,000 km | 8 years / 160,000 km (Solterra) |
| Suzuki | 3 years / 100,000 km | 8 years / 160,000 km (Across PHEV) |
| Tesla | 4 years / 80,000 km | 8 years / 160,000–240,000 km (depending on model, 70 %) |
| Toyota | 3 years / 100,000 km | 10 years / 1 million km (hybrid, with annual hybrid check) |
| Volvo | 2 years, unlimited km | 8 years / 160,000 km (EX30, EX40, EX90) |
| VW | 2 years, unlimited km | 8 years / 160,000 km (ID models) |
How to keep your warranty
- Keep the service record complete. Have servicing and inspections done by an authorised brand workshop, in Switzerland too. The service record documents the unbroken maintenance history.
- Do not miss the first inspection. Many manufacturers require it after one year or 15,000–30,000 km. If it is missed, the warranty can lapse.
- Check the warranty terms. Read them in the owner's manual or on the manufacturer's website. Some warranties are tied to particular countries.
- Use original parts. Repairs with non-original parts can put the warranty claim at risk.
Where the repairs happen
A factory warranty is honoured by any authorised workshop in Switzerland, and servicing at an authorised workshop keeps it intact.
Sources: FEDRO – Conformity checks and vehicle recalls (German text)
Frequently asked questions
Does the German manufacturer's warranty apply in Switzerland as well?
Yes. The factory warranty is attached to the vehicle, not to the country of purchase — it is valid Europe-wide. AMAG, BMW Schweiz and Mercedes-Benz Schweiz settle warranty claims on imported vehicles as a matter of routine. The precondition is a complete, ideally digital service record; you can have the warranty status verified by VIN before you buy.
What happens to the warranty when the car changes hands?
The factory warranty is tied to the vehicle, not to the keeper. A change of owner normally does not affect the claim, including the change that comes with the import.
Can I take out an additional warranty in Switzerland?
Yes. Several providers in Switzerland sell extended warranties. You can take them out after the import; they cover, for example, the engine, gearbox and electronics. You can also take out a Quality1 warranty with us; we will tell you the terms on request.
What if the German dealer gives a warranty – does it apply here too?
A dealer warranty usually applies only at the dealer's own premises. Claiming it from Switzerland is possible but takes effort, because the car has to go back. Before you buy, check whether the dealer handles claims across the border.
How long does the manufacturer's warranty last on an imported car?
That depends on the manufacturer. Most makes give 2 years, Kia 7, Hyundai 5 and Toyota 3 (extendable to 10). The warranty runs from the date of first registration, not from the import.
Does tuning or chip tuning void the warranty?
It can. Unauthorised modifications such as chip tuning, lowering or a changed exhaust can void the factory warranty, above all for the parts affected. Check with the manufacturer before you modify anything.
Is the battery warranty on an electric car valid in Switzerland too?
Yes. The battery warranty on electric and hybrid vehicles normally applies across the EU and EFTA. Most manufacturers give 8 years or 160,000 km on the high-voltage battery, and that includes imported vehicles.
What is the difference between a warranty and statutory liability for defects?
The warranty is a voluntary promise by the manufacturer and covers defects within a set period. Statutory liability for defects (Gewährleistung) is the seller's legal duty for defects that already existed at handover. A commercial dealer in Germany is liable for two years; on a used car the contract may shorten this to one year.
Does the first service have to be done in Germany?
No. Any authorised brand workshop can carry out the first service, in Switzerland too. What matters is that it happens within the interval the manufacturer sets, by time or by mileage.
Which documents do I need for a warranty claim?
As a rule the service record, the purchase contract, the vehicle registration document and, where there is one, the warranty certificate. A complete maintenance history at authorised workshops makes a smooth settlement much more likely.
Does the new-car warranty also cover EU re-imports and parallel imports?
Yes. The factory warranty is tied to the vehicle, not to the country where it was sold. Swiss brand dealers therefore carry out warranty work on directly or parallel-imported vehicles as long as the warranty period is running. The conditions are a first registration in an EU or EFTA state and a complete service record.
Is an extended warranty worth it on an imported used car?
For vehicles outside the factory warranty, usually yes — particularly on margin-scheme cars from small traders, where pressing a claim is difficult. Used-car warranties from specialised insurers run 12 to 36 months, cover the central assemblies (engine, gearbox, electronics) and apply without restriction where Swiss cover has been agreed.
Will I be told about recalls on a directly imported car?
Responsibility lies with the manufacturer or its Swiss importer, direct imports included. When it asks FEDRO, the Federal Roads Office, for keeper addresses for a recall, it automatically receives those of direct imports too. If it searches only by Swiss type approval, direct imports are missed. After the import, ask an authorised dealer about open recalls, quoting the VIN.
Sources and legal basis
The statements on this page rest on the following official publications. The wording of the enactments in force is always decisive.
- FOCBS – Importing vehicles into Switzerland
- FOCBS – Customs declaration and taxes on a vehicle import
- Automobile Tax Act (AStG, SR 641.51) (German text)
- Federal Act on Value Added Tax (VAT Act, SR 641.20)
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