Hello,
it's almost one year that I'm in Switzerland (actually I lived in the french part until sept..) and now the guy of the Kreisburo said that I've to mandatory register (change plate/licence/assurance [?]) my beloved italian car before 11 of Nov otherwise I'll receive mixed problems from police. Yeah, it seems easy. It's not in my case.
If you can give me 5min of you precious time I'll try to explain the situation.

My car is a 1998 Subaru Justy and the *real* owner is my father (so I should change in Italy the car ownership to change the plate etc - 400eur in italian taxes). The problem is really this one: a swiss friend of mine said that before the plate changing they will somehow inspect my car, so they will probably find the broken passenger seatbelt and the stucked (with a screwdriver) passenger window. I know, it seems not so secure but I usually drive alone, and when I bring other people I oblige them to seat in the rear places (aka taxi driver). It's somehow funny. Ok, I will replace the seatbelt (finally it's arrived from japan) but there're other small weird problems with the electric system.

Anyway I'm just worried if the electric window (other 250eur)/new assurance/taxes/driving licence change/whatever will cost as much as the market value of my car (2400eur).

How 'deep' and accurate is this car inspection?

I love that car, we passed togheter a lots of beautiful moments... In the worst case I'll sell it to a friend of mine (in Italy) at 50% of market price (with seatbelt repaired).

Thanks a lot!

hi, not good news for you. the car inspection is really quite thorough...

good luck whatever you do!!

I believe you should own the car for 6 months before you arrive in Switzerland or you have to pay inport costs (based on weight of the car I think). As for the Swiss control I had a car that failed because it had some play in the door hinges.

Noldi

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn it... These are not good news for me...

thanks for your help..

seat belt will be an issue - maybe you'll get away with the window.

Best bet - a Subaru dealer, to be sure. Or give back the car and get a new one?

Hi Luc,

You are hoping to do more than just have your car tested here. You want to import it. This will likely be even more rigorous than the usual MFK test. But reports on imports vary wildly and seem to often depend on the weather. You will also have to provide evidence of ownership as DC points out.

Time to return Justy to Papa and start afresh with a Swiss registered car, I'd say.

Really I didn't know that importation issue. It really sucks.
Probably it's better to follow your suggestion and bring the car back to my country...

It will definitely be cheaper for you to do that!

Also, when you buy a new (to you) car, make sure it has a fresh MFK. They are valid for two years, and you want one done in the last few months preferably. The procedure for MFK is very very strict (spotless inside the car, under the car and in the engine), and repairs can be extremely expensive. My father in law once had his pristine-condition car rejected on the MFK because it didn't have a third shoulder belt in the back seat. This was in a car that didn't come equipped with one when his was manufactured, but they insisted anyway.