Deregistration, Paperwork and Handover: Selling Your Motorhome Correctly
When people sell a used motorhome, almost every conversation is about the price. What actually goes wrong, though, is usually the process: missing documents, deregistration done at the wrong moment, or a handover where money and keys don't change hands at the same time. Here is what to prepare and in which order to do things.
The documents that matter
A complete paper trail is not bureaucracy. It shows a buyer that the vehicle was maintained and that its history can be verified – and that directly influences what someone is willing to pay.
| Document | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Fahrzeugausweis (vehicle registration document) | Shows weights, dimensions, body type and first registration; without it neither deregistration nor transfer is possible |
| Last MFK report | The MFK is the official Swiss periodic vehicle inspection; the report proves date and outcome |
| Gas inspection certificate (Gasprüfung) | Relevant for operating the gas system; an expired certificate is not a deal breaker, but it affects the price |
| Service book and garage invoices | Make the mileage, timing belt, brakes and body repairs plausible |
| Receipts for retrofits | Solar panels, inverter, second battery, awning, bike rack, tow bar |
| Manuals | Heater, fridge, mover, drop-down bed – missing manuals simply look careless |
Whatever is missing gets priced in
Two ignition keys, the habitation door key, the gas locker key, the mover remote, plus accessories such as the cable reel, levelling ramps and waste hose: every missing item is a small deduction. A lost Fahrzeugausweis can be replaced by the cantonal road traffic office (Strassenverkehrsamt), but allow time for it before you agree on a handover date.
Deregistration: how it works and when to do it
Deregistration takes place at the Strassenverkehrsamt of the canton where the vehicle is registered. As a rule you hand in the licence plates and the Fahrzeugausweis; if you want to keep your plate number, you can deposit the plates for a fee. The office informs your insurer that the vehicle has been taken out of circulation, and road tax is normally settled pro rata. Fees, opening hours and online options differ by canton, so check the website of the office responsible for you.
Timing is the critical part. As long as the motorhome is registered in your name, your liability insurance – and your responsibility – are still running. Deregister too early and the vehicle can no longer be driven on its own plates. The sensible sequence is therefore: contract and handover first, deregistration afterwards. Buyers working with dealer plates or a transporter can also collect a vehicle that is already deregistered, and some buying services handle the deregistration for you.
Contract, liability and payment
Put the sale in writing, even if the buyer seems entirely trustworthy. The contract should list the chassis number, mileage, date and time of handover, the price and the method of payment. Private sales usually include an exclusion of warranty – but that clause will not protect you if you conceal known defects. State damp patches, accident or hail damage or a broken boiler openly and record them in the contract. That is the most effective protection against later claims.
On payment, the rule is simple: the vehicle leaves when the money has arrived. For larger amounts, a bank transfer with confirmed credit before departure is more common than cash. Avoid deposits, collection by third parties or promises to pay after transport.
Special cases: export and long standstill
If the motorhome goes abroad, deregistration in Switzerland is still your responsibility; customs and registration in the destination country are the buyer's job. Keep a copy of the contract and proof that the vehicle was taken out of circulation.
If the vehicle stood unused for a long time – two winters without a trip, for example – check batteries, tyre age and seals before the appointment. A motorhome with 120'000 km that was driven regularly is often more attractive to buyers than a 7.4 m vehicle with half the mileage that never moved.
Free valuation
If you would like to know what your vehicle is worth in today's market, use the form on this website for a free, non-binding valuation. We buy motorhomes, camper vans and caravans from private owners throughout Switzerland, come to the vehicle and take care of the deregistration.
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