Checking the history
A clean history means you can plausibly trace how the vehicle has been used. Missing documents are not automatically a deal-breaker, but they increase your risk and should be reflected in the price.
- Vehicle registration document: do the chassis number, type and keeper details match the car and the seller? Look out for entries such as a ban on change of keeper, which occurs with leased vehicles, for example.
- Service and repair records: look not only at the service book but also at the invoices behind it.
- Mileage: compare it with service entries, MFK reports and wear in the interior.
- Previous owners and use: private car, company car, rental car or import?
- Accidents and bodywork: ask directly and record the answer in the purchase contract.
Clarify leasing and financing
If a vehicle is still leased or pledged as collateral, the seller cannot freely dispose of it. If in doubt, get confirmation that no third-party rights exist before you pay.
Assessing the actual condition
The technical condition often shows where you do not look straight away. Inspect the car in daylight, dry and not freshly washed, because water and darkness hide paint damage and leaks.
| Area | What to look for | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Interior | Wear on steering wheel, gear lever, pedals and driver's seat | If wear does not match the mileage, be cautious |
| Bodywork | Even panel gaps, uniform paint shade, rust on edges and wheel arches | Irregularities point to repairs or accident damage |
| Tyres and brakes | Tread depth, uneven wear, noises, condition of brake discs | Uneven wear can indicate suspension problems |
| Engine bay and underbody | Traces of oil and coolant, corrosion, condition of hoses | Small defects there quickly become expensive |
| Electronics | Warning lights, air conditioning, driver assistance, windows and locks | Electronic faults are often costly to fix |
With electric and hybrid vehicles, the battery must also be checked. Ask for a recent battery certificate or state-of-health report and for the remaining manufacturer's warranty.
What the MFK tells you and what it does not
The MFK, the periodic vehicle inspection by the cantonal road traffic office, checks whether a vehicle meets road safety and environmental rules. Passenger cars are usually called in for the first time four years after first registration, then after three years and every two years thereafter.
A passed MFK is an important building block, but not a free pass. It says little about wear that does not yet affect safety, for example on the clutch, gearbox or engine. Look at the date: an MFK from months ago describes an earlier condition. Listings advertising a fresh MFK are only meaningful if you see the inspection report.
The MFK shows that a car met the rules on inspection day, not that it is in good condition.
Viewing and test drive step by step
- Request and check the documents in advance.
- Inspect the car inside and out in daylight.
- Start the engine from cold and watch for noises, smoke and warning lights.
- Take a test drive of at least 20 to 30 minutes on different roads: town, country road and, if possible, motorway.
- Check brakes, steering, gears, noises and straight-line stability, including with a warm engine.
- If unsure, have an independent pre-purchase inspection carried out by a garage or motoring club.
- Clarify open points in writing before you commit.
An independent inspection costs money, but is usually cheap compared with a bad purchase. Reputable sellers do not refuse it.
Purchase contract and warranty
Always conclude the purchase in writing. The contract should state the vehicle, chassis number, mileage, price, known defects, accident history, handover date and the warranty arrangements.
In private sales, the warranty is often excluded. Such an exclusion does not apply, however, to defects the seller fraudulently concealed. Garages often offer their own used-car warranty; read carefully which components it covers and for how long. If you discover a defect after purchase, you must notify it promptly, preferably in writing. In case of dispute, legal advice is worthwhile.
Do not forget registration
Before registering the car at the road traffic office you need proof of insurance. In Switzerland, number plates belong to the keeper, not the vehicle. Clarify how handover and transfer will work.