OK, this is definitely an option. However, it will be challenging to do with my baby in tow. Do you have a general idea of what the difference in price might be between doing it myself and having my mechanic do it?

Another mafia-like connection between MFK guys and garages all over the Switzerland

Why a challenge? Kid can sit in the car for 10 minutes without constant eye on eye supervision and you can see through the windows so i fail to see the issue.

This is such a perennial question I've merged this with some older threads and made it a sticky.

OP: I suggest you look through the earlier answers you'll now see in this thread for more discussions on this.

My 9-month-old will likely scream through this (she hates the car seat and moreso when I am not in the car with her) and it will probably take me longer than 10 minutes (I have never done this before) - frankly, if the difference is ca. 50 chf that is worth it to me to prevent my baby from having a total meltdown for 20-30 minutes.

Why did you even make a comment like this? Such a weird tone...I didn't ask whether I should try doing this with my baby in the car, I know my baby - you don't. I asked if someone could provide general estimates of costs so I can make the decision. You most certainly did fail to see the issue.

I asked because i couldnt see how it would be a challenge, so i asked the question. I dont think that's wierd.

Dont be so defensive if someone asks about the ankle biter. . ( hint: thats a bit of humour )

So costs try 5 euro diy to about 200/ 250chf for a garage to do it.

My husband and I discussed the car today and decided we don't want to put any time or money into it unless we know that we can definitely sell it.

So, we are going to wait until we are done traveling with it and list it for a low price. But we are not going to get an MFK - it is not worth it to us.

Personally, I trust my mechanic. I don't expect anyone else to but I believe the person who buys this car is going to get a great deal.

160chf to wash a car?

A tin of 'gunk', liberally applied with a paintbrush on the engine, axle and gearbox casings (above and underneath) followed by a jet wash.

I love Switzerland.....

Eh? You won't have a choice. Either you'll be told to get one or you won't.

If you're selling the car and want to get one beforehand then that's a different thing altogether, but otherwise it's not optional.

Its not an MOT where you can choose to have it or not. You MUST have it , ignore it and the requests and the cops will clamp the car , take the plates and give you a nice bit of paper.


Edit... or give the plates back and keep the car in a private area.

I understand. We're moving before it's due.

I generally remove the plates when I get a notice, and then re-register when I am ready. Some times years later.

Tom

Hi All

It's incredible how easy it is to get ripped off on car-related work in CH... All my Swiss neighbours expressed nothing but fear for the MFK and actually sending a mechanic along with their fairly new cars in case they needed to argue out something with the tester! I went along myself and had no issues. Was impressed as well with the testing equipment...

On topic of cleaning, I've found the Autop in Volketswil to have the hottest, soapiest jet spray and they also have a lifting ramp you can drive onto and raise your car to do the underside with the jet and the brush. Perfect for a total wash down, and it's open late on weekdays when the locals are tucked up in bed so you don't have to feel guilty spending time there keeping others waiting. Location is https://www.google.ch/maps/place/Aut...7f83b99d6d38aa

Cheers

Exactly, I just recently put my car through its first Mfk, just gave it the usual jet wash without doing the underneath and it still passed.

I went through MFK yesterday and did not bother cleaning the car. It is my summer drive, so fairly clean anyway.

It was actually a good thing I did not clean it, as they found a small oil leak under the car (bad gasket) and pointed this out to me. Guy said I should get it fixed right away, but no need to bring the car back to MFK.

Hey guys,

I remember reading here that one can ignore the 1st call for MFK and wait for the 2nd letter (the one where you need to go to the post and sign to get it); the purpose being winning a few months (car is like brand new and just got serviced but the date is not convenient and I'm thinking perhaps selling it).
Does that still work (without any fine/fee of course) ?

Thanks

Go online and change the date to one more suitable.

Same happened to us, the stiff at the MFV ranted because the engine wasn't clean--but the "Unterbodenwäsche" at the automat in Zumikon worked, and the second visit was fine.

That is because if the engine is dirty they can't tell whether there is an oil/fluid leak. If there is - it fails.

Secondly if it is dirty they have to put gloves on to prevent their hands getting dirty - they don't like doing that - so they'll fail you.

Thirdly, a dirty car suggests you don't look after it - which means you won't stay on top of maintenance, which means something might be wrong with the car, so they'll try extra hard to fail you.

Sensible stuff, Dodgyken.