Buying a used car in the UAE, the honest checklist

Most used car problems in the UAE are avoidable. They come from rushing, from trusting a photo, and from skipping the boring checks. Work through this list and you will filter out the bad cars before you ever see them.

Start with the paperwork

Before you look at the car, look at its record. Ask for the service history, the accident history, and the registration card. A car with gaps in its history is not automatically bad, but the seller should be able to explain them without hesitating.

• Full service history with dates and mileage that make sense together
• Accident history, including any repainted panels, disclosed up front
• Registration card matching the chassis number on the car
• Any outstanding finance cleared before transfer

The ten minute walkaround

You do not need to be a mechanic. Walk around the car in daylight, crouch at each corner and sight down the panels. Mismatched paint shows up as a slight difference in texture or shade. Check panel gaps are even. Open and close every door.

Heat is the UAE variable

Sun and heat age a car faster here than almost anywhere. Look at the roof lining, the dashboard top, the rubber seals around the doors, and the tyres. Cracked seals and a hazy headlight lens tell you how the car has been stored.

A car that has lived in a basement car park will look years younger than the same car parked outside. Both can be good buys, but only one should be priced like new.

Always get an inspection

An independent pre purchase inspection costs a fraction of one repair. If a seller resists it, that is your answer. Every car we list is inspected before it goes on the site, and we hand you the report.