Buying a Car in Switzerland 🇨🇭 – What to Check Before You Buy (Basic Checklist)

Whether you're buying your first car or upgrading, here are some key things to check in Switzerland specifically, a post for people with minimum car knowledge.

1. Service History (Serviceheft)

• Always ask for the full service book
• Regular maintenance = a good sign the car was taken care of
• Missing history = proceed with caution

2. MFK (Motorfahrzeugkontrolle)

• Check when the last inspection was done
• If it’s recent → less hassle for you
• If not, you might need to fix issues before passing

3. Accident History

• Ask directly if the car was ever in an accident
• Look for uneven paint, panel gaps, or repairs

4. Documents

• Fahrzeugausweis (registration document)
• Service records
• Any repair invoices

5. Running Costs

• Insurance (can vary a lot depending on age & car)
• Road tax (depends on canton + engine/emissions)
• Fuel consumption

6. Tires (Important in Switzerland)

• Winter tires are basically a must
• Check condition of both summer & winter sets
• New tires = extra cost if missing

7. For Electric Cars

• Battery health / warranty
• Charging options near your home
• Range in winter (can drop significantly)

Pro Bonus Tip:
Take the car for a proper test drive (highway + city if possible), not just 5 minutes around the block, or simply take it to our trusted partners for a full assessement & evalutation.

If you have questions about buying/selling/inspections in Switzerland, feel free to ask below
Happy to help where we can!