Guides

How do I buy a used car privately in Switzerland?

swissmax editorial team November 9, 2026

When you buy a used car privately in Switzerland, check the papers first (vehicle registration document, last MFK roadworthiness test, service book), then the car itself on a test drive, and put everything in a written sales contract. Pay only at the handover, when you receive the car, the keys and the registration document. Then register the car in your name at your cantonal road traffic office with your own third-party liability insurance, because the number plates stay with the seller.

Key points

Check the registration document (Fahrzeugausweis): do the keeper, the master number (Stammnummer) and the chassis number match? If it shows code 178, "change of keeper prohibited", you cannot register the car in your name.
The last MFK test, the service book and invoices show whether the mileage and condition are plausible.
Private sellers usually sell "excluding all warranty". Anything you are promised therefore belongs in the contract.
No deposit to anyone whose car you have not seen. Payment and handover happen at the same time.
The plates stay with the seller. You need your own plates and proof of liability insurance.
The e-vignette is tied to the number plate, not to the car.

Before the viewing: check the ad and the seller

Genuine photos show the car from every side, the interior and the odometer. Catalogue pictures, a suspiciously low price and a seller supposedly abroad are, according to Swiss Crime Prevention, typical signs of vehicle advance-fee fraud: a so-called transport company asks for money before you have ever seen the car. Our guide to spotting scams lists more warning signs.

Before you meet, ask in writing about previous owners, accidents and the dates of the last MFK test and service. Evasive answers or pressure ("another buyer is waiting") are a reason to walk away.

The papers: what to see and compare

Original registration document: the keeper's name should match the seller's ID; if not, ask why they may sell the car. Compare the chassis number on the document with the number on the car.
Code 178 ("change of keeper prohibited"): often entered by leasing companies, it blocks any change of keeper without the consent of whoever requested it, as the Zurich road traffic office explains.
Last MFK test: ask when the car was last tested and for the test report. Whether a new test is needed before registration is up to the canton. In Zurich, for example, vehicles aged 15 or more are only registered after a test, unless the last one was less than two years ago.
Service book and invoices: do the mileages recorded match the odometer? Has due work (timing belt, brakes, tyres) been done?

Viewing and test drive

Look at the car in daylight, ideally with a cold engine. Bring your driving licence for the test drive; the car runs on the seller's plates and insurance.

Bodywork: mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps or rust often point to an accident or repairs.
Tyres: tread depth, age and even wear.
Cold start: does the engine start cleanly? Do warning lights stay on?
Driving: brakes, clutch or automatic gearbox, steering, unusual noises.
Interior: air conditioning, windows, lights and electronics.

A passed MFK test says little about wear. For a more expensive car, get an independent check, for example a used-car test at the TCS or at a garage.

The written sales contract

A car sale is valid even when agreed orally, but a written contract prevents disputes. The TCS will draw up a personalised sales contract free of charge. The contract should include:

names, addresses and dates of birth of buyer and seller
make, model, master number, chassis number and mileage
price, payment method, and the date and time of handover
known defects, accident damage and assurances such as "accident-free"
confirmation that the car is not leased, pledged or subject to any third-party rights
any extras included in the sale, such as a second key or winter wheels

On warranty: under Art. 197 of the Swiss Code of Obligations (CO), the seller is in principle liable for defects. In private sales, this liability is usually excluded with a clause such as "sold as seen and test-driven, excluding all warranty". That is allowed, but the exclusion does not apply to defects the seller fraudulently concealed (Art. 199 CO). If you discover a defect later, notify the seller immediately (Art. 201 CO). Claims generally become time-barred two years after delivery (Art. 210 CO).

Payment and handover

No deposit, no "reservation fee", no transport costs paid in advance.
Payment happens at the handover, in exchange for the car, all keys, the original registration document, the service book and the signed contract.
For large amounts, a common approach is a bank transfer that the seller sees credited in their own e-banking before handing over (a screenshot is not enough), or a meeting at a bank. A large sum in cash is a risk for both sides.
Note the date, time and mileage at handover in the contract, so it is clear who is liable for fines from when.

See also our guide to safe handover and payment.

Registering: plates, insurance, vignette

Swiss plates are assigned to the keeper, not the car: the seller keeps them for their next vehicle or deposits them. Your steps:

Take out liability insurance: it is compulsory by law (Art. 63 of the Road Traffic Act, SVG). Your insurer sends the proof of insurance electronically to the road traffic office. Partial or comprehensive cover is optional.
Register in your canton of residence: you need the previous original registration document (even if it has already been cancelled), an official ID in some cantons and, if the car has been tested, the test report.
Plates: if you already have plates, you can usually transfer them, and many cantons then issue a "provisional authorisation to drive" until the new registration document arrives (conditions vary by canton). Otherwise you receive new plates.
Fees and tax: each canton sets its own fees; in Zug, for example, CHF 30 for the registration document and CHF 30 for a pair of new plates (2026). Cantonal motor vehicle tax comes on top.
Vignette: the motorway e-vignette costs CHF 40 and, according to the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS), is tied to the number plate. If you transfer your existing plates, your e-vignette remains valid; with new plates you need a new one. A sticker vignette is valid only for the car it is stuck on.

How swissmax helps

Verified sellers: anyone who posts in Cars has confirmed their email and mobile number and had an official ID checked, including an 18+ check, before their first ad.
Checked ads: every new ad goes through an automatic fraud check. Ads it flags are reviewed by a person before they go online.
Chat warnings: if a phone number, a link, an IBAN or a classic scam line appears in swissmax messages, both of you see a warning.
Price check: with enough comparable ads (similar year and mileage), swissmax shows the usual price range of the last six months. As the platform is new, it does not appear everywhere yet.
Search alerts: save your search in Vehicles and hear about new matches instantly, daily or weekly.
Reporting: report suspicious ads, profiles and messages. See also the safety page and the contact form.

FAQ

Can I drive home on the seller's plates?

As a rule, no: the plates and liability insurance are in the seller's name, and they remove the plates after the sale. Plan the transfer another way: on your own plates with a provisional authorisation, if your canton offers one, only after registration, or by transport.

Is excluding warranty valid in a private sale?

Yes, it is common and permitted. It does not protect a seller who fraudulently concealed a defect, though (Art. 199 CO). So get important statements, such as "accident-free" or the mileage, confirmed in writing.

Does a used car need a new MFK test when the keeper changes?

That depends on the canton, the age of the car and the date of the last test. In Zurich, for example, cars aged 15 or more must be tested before registration unless the last test was less than two years ago. Check with your cantonal road traffic office before you buy.

How can I tell if a car is leased?

Look for code 178, "change of keeper prohibited", on the registration document; leasing companies often have it entered. As long as it applies, you cannot register the car in your name, so only buy once the entry has been removed. If there is no code, that is not proof: have the seller confirm in the contract that the car is not leased.

Last updated: November 2026. Fees, deadlines and testing rules vary by canton. Legal information without guarantee.