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Selling a car in Switzerland: the paperwork
Documents, contract, registration and number plates: what to prepare and in which order.
27 October 2026
3 min read
You’ve found a buyer. Now it’s time to turn your agreement into a smooth handover. Decide in advance who does what, when payment will be made, when the vehicle registration will be cancelled and how the buyer will take the car away.
Gather the documents before viewings
Prepare the vehicle registration document, service records, relevant invoices and the latest available inspection report. Include any warranty information and check what comes with the car: both keys if you have them, extra wheels, cables and the accessories listed in your advert.
A clear set of documents saves you from hunting for an invoice during a viewing and helps the buyer understand what they’re getting. If you don’t know part of the car’s history, say so and distinguish what you’ve checked yourself from what you were told when you bought it.
Put your agreement in writing
A written contract keeps a record of what you agreed. Include both parties, the vehicle’s exact identification, its displayed mileage, price, payment and handover terms. Describe known faults and included accessories precisely enough to avoid different interpretations.
If the buyer reserves the car before collecting it, put the amount received, what it covers and what happens if the sale falls through in writing. Avoid forms with clauses you don’t understand and make sure each party keeps a copy of the signed agreement.
Coordinate payment and registration
Neuchâtel’s SCAN recommends receiving payment, then cancelling the vehicle registration and giving the cancelled document to the buyer. Fribourg’s OCN recommends the same order. Check with your cantonal vehicle authority about completing the process in person or remotely.
A registration document marked with code 178 needs particular attention. This entry can prevent a change of registered keeper, especially for leased vehicles. Resolve it with the organisation concerned before promising a handover date.
Plan how the car will leave
Number plates are not simply handed over with the vehicle. Agree with the buyer how they will register or transport it. According to SCAN and OCN, if you don’t register another vehicle within 14 days, your plates must be returned to the relevant authority.
At handover, read through the contract, check that payment has arrived and go over everything being provided. Note the date, time and number of keys. A few minutes checking together are better than an unclear conversation the following day.
Is a new vehicle inspection compulsory?
SCAN explains that a new inspection is not always required to sell a car: the previous inspection remains valid until its due date. You still need to describe the car’s actual condition. A recent inspection and a service history are different things, so be clear about which documents you have.