Stress-Free MFK: How to Prepare Your Car for the Swiss Technical Inspection

The MFK (Motorfahrzeugkontrolle) is the mandatory periodic technical inspection for every vehicle in Switzerland. Frequency depends on the canton and the vehicle's age, but the principle is the same everywhere: specific safety points, checked against a fixed list.

First thing checked: lighting — all lights working, and crucially, their alignment. A headlight aimed too high blinds other drivers and is one of the most common reasons for failure. Get the alignment checked before your appointment, not at it.

Second point: tyres and brakes. Tread depth below the legal 1.6 mm minimum disqualifies the vehicle immediately. Pads and discs are checked for thickness and uneven wear; a brake that pulls to one side is a common reason for a re-test.

Third, often overlooked point: the exhaust/emissions system and the check engine light. The MFK measures emissions, and modern stations also check OBD system readiness. If the check engine light is on or an active fault is stored, failure is almost certain.

Fourth point: suspension and steering (play tested on a special rig), and shock absorbers. Fifth: the windscreen — a crack in the driver's field of view leads to failure, even if the rest of the car is flawless.

Finally, the inspector looks underneath the vehicle: fluid leaks, corrosion, and the condition of the exhaust. A reasonably clean underbody makes the inspection easier and faster.

Want to walk into your MFK appointment with confidence? Book a pre-MFK check with us — we test the same points as the inspector and fix what's needed beforehand.