You can sell a car in Switzerland whether its MFK is fresh, due soon or overdue. What the MFK status changes is the price and the type of buyer. This guide explains how the inspection works, what "fresh from MFK" really means and whether it is worth having the inspection done before you sell.
The MFK (Motorfahrzeugkontrolle in German, expertise or contrôle technique in French) is the official periodic inspection of your car by the cantonal road traffic office. It checks that the car is safe and roadworthy – brakes, steering, lights, tyres, rust, exhaust and more.
For most passenger cars the intervals are:
| Inspection | When |
|---|---|
| First MFK | 5 years after the first registration |
| Second MFK | 3 years later |
| After that | Every 2 years |
You do not have to book the inspection yourself: the road traffic office sends you a written invitation when it is due. If the car fails, you have to repair it and present it again, normally within 30 days.
| MFK status | What it means for buyers | Effect on price |
|---|---|---|
| Recently passed | The car was found roadworthy and the next inspection is a long way off. | Easiest to sell privately; best price |
| Due soon | The buyer will have to present the car shortly and pay for any repairs found. | Buyers expect a discount |
| Overdue or failed | Repairs are uncertain. Many private buyers lose interest. | Lower price; mostly dealers and car buyers |
The size of the discount depends on what the inspection is likely to find. A well-kept car with new tyres and brakes loses little; an older car with rust or worn parts can lose much more.
It depends on the condition of the car and on how you sell it:
Not sure? Get a free valuation first and tell us the MFK status. Then you can compare our offer with what the repairs would cost.
Used car ads often say "fresh from MFK" (frisch ab MFK). It means the car passed the official inspection recently. It does not mean the car has no defects: the MFK checks road safety on the day of the inspection, not the condition of the engine, gearbox or wear parts in the months that follow.
As a seller, describe the car honestly even with a fresh MFK, and list any known defects in the sales contract. Our documents guide explains what the contract should include.
Yes. There is no rule against selling a car with an overdue MFK. The price is usually lower, and many private buyers are not interested, but dealers and car buyers like SellCar buy these cars.
The car can change hands whatever the MFK status. The new holder registers the car in their name, and the road traffic office may ask them to present it for inspection – rules vary by canton, so the buyer should check with their road traffic office.
For most passenger cars: 5 years after the first registration, then 3 years later, then every 2 years. The road traffic office sends you an invitation when it is due.
For a private sale of a car in good condition, often yes. If the car needs expensive repairs to pass, or you sell to a dealer or car buyer, usually not – compare the repair cost with the difference in price first.
No. It means the car passed the official safety inspection recently. It says nothing about wear or defects that appear after the inspection, or about parts the MFK does not check in detail.
What drives the value of a used car, why private and dealer prices differ, and how to get a realistic figure.
Read the guide →GuideRepair or sell as it is, what you must tell the buyer, total loss and insurance – and how to sell a car that won't drive.
Read the guide →GuideThe registration document, ID, keys and service records – what each is for, what goes in the contract and what to do if something is missing.
Read the guide →
