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Buying a used industrial machine in Switzerland: the complete guide
Published on October 12, 2026
A well-chosen used machine often costs a fraction of the price of a new one, with a lead time of a few weeks instead of several months. Here is how to buy with confidence, from the search to commissioning.
Buying used saves time and money, and extends the life of a machine rather than building a new one. But a machine tool is not a standard product: its condition depends on how it was used, maintained and what it has been through. Good preparation makes all the difference.
1. Define your needs precisely
Start from the parts you need to produce, not from the machine. Note the dimensions and materials of the parts, the tolerances, the batch sizes and the constraints of your workshop.
- Capacities: axis travels, bar capacity, workpiece weight, spindle power.
- Required accuracy and surface finish.
- Preferred CNC control (compatibility with your programs and your operators' training).
- Available floor space, floor load capacity, electrical supply and compressed air.
- Total budget: purchase, transport, installation, any reconditioning and training.
2. Check the seller
On our platform, companies are checked against the Swiss business register (UID) and carry the “verified company” badge. Also check that the company's address matches the machine's location, and speak to the seller by phone, on a number you have found yourself.
3. See the machine, and see it running
Nothing replaces a visit. Ask to see the machine powered up, ideally machining a part similar to yours, and bring along the person who will operate it.
- Noise, vibration and spindle heating.
- Axis backlash and the condition of the guideways, ballscrews and way covers.
- Leaks (oil, hydraulics, coolant) and the condition of the lubrication system.
- Hour meters: power-on hours and, above all, spindle hours.
- Documentation: manuals, wiring diagrams, backup of the control parameters, maintenance history.
- Accessories actually included in the sale (tooling, bar feeder, chip conveyor, chucks).
4. Price, VAT and terms
Compare with equivalent machines (same model, similar year and equipment) and take the actual condition into account. If the seller is a VAT-registered company, check whether the price is “excl. VAT” or “incl. VAT”. A sale between private individuals is not subject to VAT.
Between companies, used machines are often sold “as is”: the Swiss Code of Obligations allows the warranty to be excluded by contract, unless the seller fraudulently concealed a defect. So have the condition, known defects, included accessories, collection date and responsibility for dismantling and loading confirmed in writing.
5. Safety and compliance
A machine used in your workshop must be safe: working guards, doors and interlocks, emergency stop, operating instructions. For a recent machine, ask for the declaration of conformity (CE marking). If in doubt, consult your safety officer; Suva publishes information on machine safety.
6. Buying abroad?
Since 2024, Switzerland no longer levies customs duties on industrial products, but import VAT is still due, as are customs clearance and transport costs. A machine available in Switzerland avoids these formalities and is easy to visit.
7. Transport and commissioning
Plan the transport as early as the negotiation: weight, dimensions, lifting equipment at pick-up and delivery. After installation, have the levelling and geometry checked, and have the machine connected by an electrician. Our article on transporting heavy machines describes these steps in detail.