Question 1

Are winter tyres compulsory in Haute-Savoie?

Accepted Answer

From 1 November to 31 March, in the communes the prefecture lists under the loi Montagne, a car must have winter tyres with the mountain-and-snowflake symbol or carry chains or snow socks. That covers much of the department, so a set of winter tyres sold with a car is worth having here.

Question 2

Do I need four-wheel drive in Haute-Savoie?

Accepted Answer

Not for Annecy or the main valleys, where good winter tyres do most of the work. It earns its keep on daily trips to ski resorts or steep hamlets; on a used 4x4, listen to the transfer case and differentials and look for leaks.

Question 3

What does Haute-Savoie's road salt do to a car?

Accepted Answer

Winters on salted roads attack brake lines, exhaust, subframes and sills. Look underneath with a torch before buying, and treat fresh underbody paint on an older car with some suspicion.

Question 4

From Haute-Savoie, can I buy a car in Geneva or elsewhere in Switzerland?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but Switzerland is outside the EU, so the car must clear French customs, which issue a certificate 846A, before you can apply for a French carte grise. Import duty and VAT may be due depending on the car and your situation.

Question 5

Does Crit'Air matter in Haute-Savoie's Arve valley?

Accepted Answer

It can. The Arve valley around Chamonix and Cluses is prone to winter pollution episodes, when traffic may be restricted by Crit'Air class, and older diesels are the first affected.

Used cars in Haute-Savoie

Suzuki S-Cross 1.4 Boosterjet Style Allgrip

Ford Puma 1.0 Flexifuel 125ch S&S mHEV Titanium Business

ISUZU D-Max

Isuzu D-max 1.9 TD 164 SPACE N60 BB A/T

Subaru legacy 2.5 4x4 De Suisse

Xpeng G6 Autonomie Etendue

Xpeng G6 Grand Autonomie

BYD Seal 82.5 KWH 530ch EXCELLENCE

Alpine a110 r - 1.8 - 300 - n°882

Alfa romeo Tonale 1.5 Hybrid 130ch Edizione Speciale TCT