A car outside the front door, insurance included, no stress with the garage, all for a fixed price? What sounds perfect in theory often sparks scepticism. Even Marc was doubtful: Is this really legitimate? Are there hidden costs buried in the small print? And what actually happens at the handover?
Instead of relying on marketing promises, the father of a family carried out a reality check: he calculated all the costs and visited the headquarters in Bannwil in person to meet the team behind Carvolution.
Today he knows: the subscription model is not an empty promise, but logically calculated. In the interview, Marc explains why his visit on site erased his last doubts, how he experienced a 500-franc bill at the return, and why he now even recommends the subscription to his children.
Marc, why did you choose a car subscription instead of buying or leasing a car in the traditional way?
Marc: It was a very considered and pragmatic decision. I used to manage most journeys by motorbike or train. After changing jobs, that still worked in summer, but in winter the motorbike became too uncomfortable, and the train journey suddenly felt like a little world tour.
Our family already owns a large Peugeot Traveller, but my wife uses it daily for the children. So a second car was unavoidable.
Was a used car not an option?
Marc: No, a used car was not an option. On the second-hand market, prices were high after the pandemic, and new cars had long waiting times. So I looked for other options, calculated everything carefully, and quickly realised: a car subscription with Carvolution offers the best solution.
The claim that a car subscription is more expensive than leasing or buying persists. What do you think?
Marc: You mustn’t compare apples with oranges. Most people only look at the leasing rate or purchase price for a private car and forget costs like insurance, taxes, the next service, or tyre changes, which are already included with Carvolution.
Moreover, when you buy, you bear the full resale risk. But who knows what a car will be worth in a few years? Especially in the electric market, where technology changes rapidly, this is a huge uncertainty factor.
Have you calculated it yourself?
Marc: Yes, I have. With Carvolution’s car subscription, I come almost to the same amount as buying, but with the huge advantage of the all-inclusive package.
If something breaks on my private van, I fear the bill. With the subscription car, I don’t worry: normal services and maintenance cost not a penny extra. And if damage does occur, I only pay the excess I agreed on when signing the contract. The risk is therefore capped and completely predictable for me. This financial security relieves me enormously in everyday life.
At the return of your first car, you received a bill of over 500 francs. Why didn’t that bother you?
Marc: Quite simple. I know the difference between a hidden price adjustment and an honest bill.
When I exchange my car at a garage for a new one, the dealer in the back of their mind does exactly the same as Carvolution: they see my scratched rims and just tell me in the end I get 13,000 francs. That without scratches it might have been 13,500, a layperson wouldn’t notice. Everything disappears in the opacity of the sales discussion.
With Carvolution, however, the bill is in black and white. That may unsettle some, but for me it is the epitome of transparency and fairness.
So you had no concerns at all before returning your car?
Marc: No, why would I? I knew exactly how I had treated the car. The damaged rims were my fault, that was clear to me. That the experts found a damage underneath I had never seen myself simply belongs to the process.
So the extra costs were understandable?
Marc: Absolutely. You have to think further: Carvolution sells the cars after the subscription. Who would want to buy a used car if such defects were ignored or hidden?
I expect quality when I take over a car, so I must also be ready to cover the cost of restoring any damage I caused myself. That is simply logical and fair.
Transparency and fairness are important to you: what do you value most about the car subscription?
Marc: Absolutely. My life is complex enough. I want to know exactly at the end of the month what leaves my account. No sudden 900-franc tyre bills, no expensive repairs outside the warranty. This financial security with Carvolution is a luxury often underestimated in everyday life.
I also appreciate that I can integrate the car subscription perfectly into my financial planning. That is why I even recommend Carvolution to my children: my eldest son is 18. When he starts working, the subscription is ideal. You know exactly what leaves your account at the end of the month, with no nasty surprises that could eat up hard-earned savings.
Planning is one thing, but life rarely sticks to a fixed plan. How does the flexibility of the subscription help you?
Marc: Last year I drove a lot for work, so I simply increased the mileage package in the Carvolution app with a click. At the moment I drive less, so I adjust it again.
This freedom to adapt the car monthly to my life situation removes all pressure. I don’t need to go through a lengthy process; it takes two minutes. The subscription follows my life, not the other way around.
Was it different with your previous leasing?
Marc: Yes, leasing is different. You sign a rigid contract for years. If life changes and you suddenly need more miles, high fees often apply. You are often a slave to your own contract and can hardly react flexibly.
Carvolution is very digital. Why did you still pick up your car in Bannwil personally?
Marc: I’m perhaps a bit old-fashioned. For me, trust still has to do with people. I wanted to see who is behind the support and how the Carvolution team works on site.
When I saw the employees and felt how everything runs, my last trace of scepticism immediately vanished.
Is there anything that could be improved with the subscription?
Marc: If you could fully configure the car yourself, that would be the icing on the cake. But actually, I don’t miss anything; the cars are already very well equipped.
I also understand perfectly that to offer these low prices, Carvolution has to order the cars in large quantities with standardised specifications. That’s a fair deal, which I am happy to accept.
What’s next for you, will you stick with the car subscription?
Marc: In the next few years, many family changes will happen. The children will move out and start apprenticeships. That is exactly why Carvolution’s subscription is perfect.
I can flexibly decide whether to buy, switch, or give up the car at the end. For now, I simply enjoy not having to worry about anything.
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