I can't sit tight, so the next gadget for me is a car as it seems.

I'm eyeing with a swiss vehicle that was matriculated in 2009, so it will have the MFK due this year. The seller does not want to do the MFK as "he is already under the book value" by 12%.

How can I overcome this situation other than walking away?
- can I ask the seller to do the MFK anyway and I will pay the costs if nothing is wrong with the car (and abort the contract if there is indeed something wrong)?
- can I bring the car to these pre-MFK checks that TCS has on offer for 180SFr? Are they worth the trip to TCS? Are they a clear indication (Yes/No) for the upcoming MFK?

Any constructive advice is welcome.

You'll get lots telling you to tell him to stuff it

I'd vary your point 1 - assuming you think you are getting a good deal - why not INCREASE the offer by the cost of the MFK test, tell him to do it, but he pays for anything that is wrong?

For me unless it is a car I want to restore a fresh MFK goes a long way.

If he isnt willing to sell you a proven roadworthy car then something is wrong. Tell him too bad if you want to sell it then it needs to be done at his cost and if he really wants to sell then he will. A seller not willing to do this is hiding something.

Probably the can't be bothered Swiss attitude . 12% under book is way to expensive for a private sale.

Already under the book value by 12% - common selling line to try and convince you its a good deal. Its worth what the market says it is worth not an artifical book value that is only set based on depreciation and potential useful life. Offer him 20% below because you may need to have repairs done if the MFK uncovers anything.

Be prepared to walk away as 12% discount to book is nothing

What is the good deal in comparison to book value? The car is still one of the cheapest on comparis

Ignore the book value.

Compare it based on features, condition and distance travelled. If it compares good to on these features then you are in a better position

Only the car owner and a member of TCS can get the test, and then only if it is before the canton orders the test.

Walk away if he doesen't test it!

Lots of cars for sale (in fact I might even have one ) but definitely be wary if the owner isn't ready to take it for the test. Yes it is a massive pain to do - oh wait, not really!

Ya, no good reason for him not to do it unless he knows there is something wrong.

Depends on the canton, here you can take it to TCS when the canton orders the test (but only cars, not bikes).

Tom

That's what I'd do. If he's not willing to do so then it's almost certainly because he knows something it will fail on. Walk away, René.

Same here.
No MFK, no sale no matter how cheap.

Offer to reimburse him for MFK, that's it.

the latter comes out pretty well, by the way - compared to other cars on comparis. and the car I spotted is not that frequent in CH to have 2 dozen others to choose, eventually.

do you guys have an idea what % of the book value will the garages/dealers offer for a swap-in or a buying price (should I decide to sell the car in a couple of years)?

This is a piece of string question!

Depends on a 1000 factors, make, model mileage, accessories, what you are trading it in for. Essentially imagine what you reasonably think your car should be worth and halve it...

that's my fear as well

30% is about right for a private sale.

The MFK is a doodle with a new car, even my 1994 BMW with approx. 330,000km passed recently, it's not been for a dealer service since I bought it with 165,000!

Thanks guys. I'll keep you updated

I saw another car today, a Mazda6 from 2006 for 10k in a place called ABCD GmBH in Zürich Nord. "One owner, ab MFK, ab service", that's what they said. Last service was made in Buchs ZH, the one before in Bern, the car had a StMoritz sticker on it... What's more, the leather on the steering wheel was already peeling off ... last service according to service book was Nov 2011(!) with 80k km, now the car had 89k km... well, maybe not.

I thought rewinding speedos is only an east-block thing, but then apparently not. It's a shame as the car was pretty OK otherwise.

I'm excited about the Honda tomorrow.

Well the Honda was not much better either. Parking damage on one side, rust on the bonnet, small scratches around the body and a broken right mirror light. Seller was not hiding anything, he is just a dontcare. I'll wait for the repair quotes to come in before I fire my offer.