Having just arrived and moving costs eating up all available funds we're pretty low on cash...trouble is we need to buy a cheap second-hand car for around 7500-10000CHF.

Where is the best/cheapest place to get credit for this? Would think about leasing but we don't have the downpayment...

what permit do you have? Having just landed I think you'll find it almost impossible to get a loan. If you have an L permit then forget it.

Without a local credit rating, assuming that you are still in your trial period, I would think that your chances are fairly slim in places where you could get a decent rate of interest. Most second-hand dealers will have links to a lender but be prepared to be disappointed. It might be worthwhile making do with public transport for a couple of months and then having some money as a downpayment. This may improve your chances and lower your interest payments.

You are in a catch 22 situation.

You don't have enough money to buy the cheap car without credit.
If you did have enough money to buy the cheap car without credit, then you would be able to get the credit and therefore wouldn't need it.

Good Luck.

Your best bet is to go for a lease. Forget getting a loan until you have been on a B-permit for a year. No one will touch you until then.

A lease on the other hand you could have got the day you landed, as it's secured on an asset.

Don't look at the headline offers being given that say you need a deposit, go in and talk to a car dealer who has a car you want and talk to them. I promise from experience you don't need a deposit.

At your budget, it is possible to find deals for leasing without downpayment.

hi, we're looking for someone to take over our lease in september for a nearly new Toyota Verso, PM me if you might be interested.