Vehicles — periodic inspection and maintenance (Switzerland)
A list of checks and obligations with their cadence, ready to add to your agenda.
For private owners and companies with vehicles registered in Switzerland. Covers the periodic roadworthiness test (MFK) under the VTS, emission-control servicing and its maintenance document, and the seasonal choice of tyres. Does NOT cover cantonal vehicle tax, the motorway vignette, tachographs and professional drivers' duties, or ADR/SDR dangerous goods duties.
Questions about this product?
Ask what is in the manuals, how often the maintenance is due and what it takes to do it.
What it already has at hand
- No manual on this page
- 4 planned checks, the most frequent every year by 1 November
Planned checks
Informative summary verified on 11/09/2026. It does not replace legal advice: the regulation cited prevails. If you spot an error, report it.
Some checks are only mandatory in certain countries: pick yours and the list follows.
In Italy this product has no planned checks: the ones listed apply to other countries.
In France this product has no planned checks: the ones listed apply to other countries.
In Germany this product has no planned checks: the ones listed apply to other countries.
- 01
Have the emission-control system serviced
Vehicles without a recognised OBD system must undergo periodic emission-control servicing at a garage, which updates the maintenance document to be presented at the roadworthiness test. Proof: the completed and stamped emission maintenance document. Does not apply to vehicles with a recognised OBD system: since 1 January 2013 light petrol or gas vehicles of at least Euro 3, light diesel vehicles of at least Euro 4 and heavy vehicles of at least Euro 4 registered after 30 September 2006 are exempt, which in practice covers almost every car registered from 2013 onwards. Cadence to be confirmed on the cited source.
every 24 months since the last jobLegal obligationVRV/OCR (SR 741.11) Art. 59aSwitzerland onlySource - 02
Present the car for its first periodic inspection
Light passenger cars and motorcycles undergo their first periodic roadworthiness test five years after first registration, at the latest after six years; the summons is sent by the cantonal road traffic office. Proof: the inspection report and the stamped registration document. Applies to light cars up to 3.5 t and to motorcycles; vans are called for the first time after four years.
every 60 months from installationLegal obligationVTS/OETV (SR 741.41) Art. 33Switzerland onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026 - 03
Fit winter tyres before the cold season
Switzerland has no general winter tyre obligation, but the driver is liable for the condition of the vehicle and may be fined or see insurance benefits reduced when driving on snow or ice with unsuitable tyres. Change the tyres at the start of November and check the tread depth (at least 4 mm recommended). Applies to all vehicles driven in Switzerland during the winter season; an explicit obligation exists only where signage requires it (snow chains) or in some neighbouring countries. Cadence to be confirmed on the cited source.
every year by 1 NovemberRecommendedSVG/LCStr (SR 741.01) Art. 29; VTS/OETV (SR 741.41) Art. 58Switzerland onlySource - 04
Present the vehicle again for the periodic inspection
After the first test the car is re-tested after three years and every two years thereafter, so the first deadline computed with the two-year cadence has to be corrected manually once. Proof: the inspection report of the road traffic office. Applies to light cars and motorcycles; vans are first tested after 4 years, then after 3, then every 2, lorries with a top speed above 45 km/h follow shorter intervals that come down to one year, and lorries up to 45 km/h follow 4 years, then 3, then every 2.
every 24 months since the last inspectionLegal obligationVTS/OETV (SR 741.41) Art. 33Switzerland onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026
In Austria this product has no planned checks: the ones listed apply to other countries.
In United Kingdom this product has no planned checks: the ones listed apply to other countries.
In Spain this product has no planned checks: the ones listed apply to other countries.
In Portugal this product has no planned checks: the ones listed apply to other countries.
In United States this product has no planned checks: the ones listed apply to other countries.
In Other country this product has no planned checks: the ones listed apply to other countries.
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