There are different opinions about that. Thanks to today’s durable engine oils, damages are not to be expected so quickly. It may be enough to bring your collector’s car out onto the road twice a year. But then it should be driven over a longer distance, so that cooling water and lubricating oil have time to warm up.

Maintaining and driving a collector’s car are without doubt one of the more expensive hobbies. Repair workshops charge the same hourly rates for collector’s cars as for new cars, so that these can be high and higher depending on the type and location of the workshop. But a collector’s car cared with expertise and passion retains its value in the long run, i.e. its depreciation is almost zero.

Regarding to the liability for a collector’s car, usually the same insurance conditions are applied as for a normal daily used car. It is also advisable to take out hull insurance for a collector’s car. Many large and a few specialised insurance companies offer policies specifically tailored to collector’s cars. Due to their special purpose, the premiums are significantly lower than for normal cars of the same value. In order to determine the premium, the insurance value must be carefully determined. This is done by an expert appointed by the insurance company, who issues an expert report to the insurance company.

As a new owner of a collector’s car, it is best to have a detailed expert report carried out by a member of the Swiss Association of Indipendent Vehicle Experts (SAIVE). This service costs between 300 Fr. and 1000 Fr. depending on the scope and is recognised by every insurance company.

Which special registration regulations have to be observed?

The inspection interval for a recognised collector’s vehicle (veteran status by code 180) can be extended up to 6 years if the following requirements are fulfilled:

1. The first putting into circulation has taken place at least 30 years ago.
2. The vehicle must not be used regularly. The annual mileage may not exceed 3‘000 kilometers.
3. The vehicle must correspond to the original design. Any conversions must be from the era of the vehicle.
4. The vehicle must be visually and technically in perfect condition as well as cared and maintained above average.
5. The vehicle may only be used for private purposes. Commercial journeys are not permitted.

Regarding to the control plates, there is also a decisive simplification: an exchange plate can be redeemed for more than two collector’s cars. The normal rates are levied for fees and charges.