Hi
My 2007-70.000km fiat punto didn't pass the control technique in Geneva yesterday because it was not clean apparently. I didn't wash it professionally or inside the engine, so after they told me that, I went straight to have it cleaned for 100chf but I couldn't get back to the service des autos on time. Now I'm wondering, I need to do about 150 km before Monday when I can come back to the control... Will it get dirty again???
I know the question is maybe a little stupid but I don't know the degree of dirt that a car can get there or how clean it's supposed to be. And I'd like to avoid another 100 stupid chf wasted...

Unless you have a serious leak it will be fine

If you end up driving through slush or mud then the underside will get dirty again. If that is the case just take it to a drive through with an underside program.


Basically the point of the underside and engine bay being clean is that it allows them to see any damage or wear marks indicating that something isn't in order, and also if the car has a significant leak.

I was also looking for a service in Basel area to wash the motor and chassis before the MFK - was about to go to TCS for CHF140, only to discover that they do not work in the weekend. My first MFK after importing the vehicle is on Monday, so I was not left with too many options: either to go to http://www.dorfgarage-aesch.ch/ and wash myself or to go to Weil am Rhein and find something. So whoever needs to wash the motor, these guys (http://www.automobile-issler.de/waschen-pflege) do it for ~EUR50 - I'll go there Monday morning and will leave my feedback here afterwards.

Stop and go in weil does a wash if you really feel the need. Tbh i have never bothered apart from waggling the nozzle underneath.

I took the mfk and they found that the rear light was foggy with steam and needed replacement since probably broken + broken bulb on the rear licence plate light.
I can change those myself since it's easy replacement.
My question: can I change it myself or do I need a stamp from a garage to prove that I've had it done for the 2nd visit ?

No need for a stamp. Even if you do your own brake job. As long as the work is performed suitably you're ok.

You need a second visit for such mundane things
Have given a go-but-please-fix-asap with much worse things.

To be fair I had 3 fails that required a counter visit:
- Steam in the bottom right back light (small fog light, not even the main one)
- Broken bulb over the rear licence plate
- Discolored rear blinker...too white for their taste

It's good that they do a very thorough check, now I wonder how those old cars make it to the streets.....

Our car is up for an MFK in early Feb - just got the appointment card.

Couple of questions -

1) What is actually done/tested as part of it? I don't really fancy getting a garage to take the car for me, as any time we go near one a bill for many hundreds appears, for the simplest of tasks. My german is okish - what will I be expected to do?

2) As above, the car is in good shape, and recently serviced. Other than turning up clean (as mentioned by previous posts), anything else to specifically check that's a simple fail? (other than simple stuff such as bulbs?)

Cheers.

EC

No need to pay a garage to do it. I'm not sure what role a 'normal' German-speaker is expected to play in the testing process, but I feigned ignorance and after giving me a grunt and a roll of the eyes, the tester took the keys from me and did everything else himself. I imagine if I spoke German, he'd have asked me to work the controls while he tested various things (indicators, etc) rather than having to jump in/out of the vehicle each time to verify their functioning. (The French Controle Technique has another approach to this: mirrors!)

I would double-check that all of the lights work, that the 'Check Engine' light is off, that there are no visible leaks, wipers are in good shape, washer fluid is topped up, and that all of the bodywork/trim is secure. Beyond that, you should be fine.

Read this:
Testing a Car (MFK)

A few pointers:
Do an emergency brake from c.40kms to hear/feel any possible issues.

Check your lights and fittings - seems to be common trip up area, in my case the lights for the number plate need to have the glass cleaned from the inside ... no return trip, simply get it done ... so back to trusty Haynes Manual.

The rest is simple MOT stuff from what I saw.

This was a self-clean, not professional using both engine cleaner spray and a plant spray with car shampoo ,,,, wiping with kitchen cloth.

Not difficult and quick to do, not brave enough to do as diesel van drivers did when at the car wash ... spray everywhere in the engine and underneath with the jet hose full on,,,,,

Sufficient for MFK, passed no problem, car 16yrs old and first engine clean in 2 yrs.

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i canrecommend this gargar they do the whole mfk job

http://zurlindegarage.ch/kontakt/

I have read quite extensively that a car invited to the MFK should be in very clean condition (including the engine bay). Can anyone recommend a place in Zurich where I could have this clean undertaken?

First check if they are still doing MFKs, some cantons (like ours in Neuchatel) have postponed them

I aways just used a jetwash, any car cleaning company could do it if you want to pay.

Read this thread .

Edit: now merged this with the earlier thread, @OP read through from the top. More useful info here

Zurich MFKs postponed also