How to Buy a Used Car in Dubai, UAE

December 6, 2021 5:04 am

Buying a used car in Dubai isn’t a headache anymore. With endless choices available in the UAE market, it can be seen as a buyer’s market and great deals can be made easily; provided you know how to go about it.

With you having made the decision of buying a used car in Dubai, UAE for a smooth commute, most probably you might have your own preferences on the make and model. Therefore, we Palautogarage, with our 40 years of expertise will attempt here to inform you on how to buy whatever you are looking for, rather than what to buy:

 

1. Dealer or Private individuals

While buying a used car in Dubai, there are mainly two options to choose from:

1. A) Private individual owners 
2. B) Various used car dealerships, operating across the country. 

Most GCC specs new cars in the UAE come with a 5-year manufacturer warranty. Therefore, for instance, if you’re buying a 3-year-old car from a used car dealer, they might offer it to you along with the remaining warranty, whereas an individual seller will offer the same warranty, but at a much lower cost.

In both cases, the warranty would cover all the damages until it’s expiry and you just need to ensure that the previous owner hasn’t done anything that annuls the warranty as it is still valid and transferable.

 

2. Post spotting procedure

Once you’ve spotted the car you would like to purchase, make sure to go through the advertisement carefully. Never contact a seller who has put up a car for sale without uploading any pictures or without providing basic descriptions of the car.

If the seller seems like an individual/organization you’ll like to do business with, call them at a time of the day you think is not intrusive. And don’t make the mistake of going and inspecting the car after dusk as it can affect the visibility and judgement of the car.

 

3. Things to ask while buying a used car in Dubai

After spotting and inspecting the car, if you are sure to go ahead with the purchase you can consider asking the owner some basic questions regarding the car and it’s history such as:

• The reason for selling the car
• Years of ownership
• No of owners
• The service records
• Involvement in any accidents
• Defects
• Verify the papers and documents

 

4. Inspect the car

Once you’ve zeroed in on a particular car and gathered information on it and regarding its history, it is important to inspect the car thoroughly (exterior, interior and under the hood).

Start with the exterior of the car which includes the lights, tyres, mirrors and underbody. Check the body surface for any dents and scratches and the undercarriage to be rust-free. Also test the proper functioning of all lights (brake lights, headlights), windows and wipers.

In the interior, inspect the seats (front and back), the proper functioning of electronic systems (AC, radio, music system, reverse camera/sensor, etc).

 

5. Test drive

Once you’ve completed inspecting the exterior and interior of the car, with the permission of the seller, take it for a test drive. A short drive can tell you a lot about the car condition and the current functional status of its brakes and suspension and other features.

While driving, remember to lower the windows and be attentive to any noises that you may hear from the car while in motion, which can be signals for additional damages the car might hold.

If you are not confident of driving the car yourself, you can always ask your friend to accompany you and count on his feedback which could turn out to be more neutral.

 

6. Seek professional advice before buying a used car in Dubai

A thorough assessment or inspection of your prospective car can be helpful to determine not only it’s roadworthiness, but also its estimated value, and save you from future repairs and replacements.

With everyone wanting to make a better deal and the nature of inspections being technical and complicated, it’s always advisable to seek professional advice to inspect a used car before buying it.

 

7. Pal Auto Garage

Pal Auto Garage offers extensive pre-owned car inspection in UAE with 120+ checkpoints involving age, mileage, safety, emissions, and performance which will highlight all the necessary findings to you and help you make a better decision regarding your used car purchase.

To know more about pre-owned car inspection and other car related services, feel free to get in touch with us at palautogarage