Purchasing a secondhand vehicle can be less stressful than you think. While a car is a big financial commitment, there are some great services designed to take the headache out of this high-stakes purchase. Find out more about them here.
How to Buy a Used Car in the UAE
Once you’ve picked out the make and models of car you’re interested in, the next step is to search for them on UAE car selling sites like Dubizzle, CarSwitch, Car24, Carzaty and Yallamotors. All these websites are possible sources of a great value, second-hand car that will give you years of reliable, enjoyable and stress-free motoring.
However, to make sure you get a great deal and not a dud vehicle wherever you purchase your vehicle, you need to follow the tips below on how to buy a car in the UAE at the best possible price.
1. Gather the information you need about the vehicle.
To use the services mentioned here (e.g., vehicle report, inspection, etc.), there are some key pieces of information you need to know about the car you’re thinking of buying. You need to gather:
- The exact make, model and year of manufacture
- The vehicle information number (VIN)
- The current mileage
These three things will tell you a great deal about the history of the vehicle and its potential problems. Any legitimate seller will happily pass this information on or allow you to see the relevant documentation before you make a purchase decision.
2. Apply for a Vehicle Report
Using a service like Autodata’s VehicleReport can give you peace of mind when it comes to buying a secondhand vehicle. By supplying this service with the data you have collected, you can learn much more about the vehicle.
VehicleReport accesses relevant databases and does a VIN number check to mine information about the manufacture and history of the car. It can tell you the following crucial information:
- Exact details about the engine, body type and transmission specifications so you can cross-check this with the information provided by the seller;
- Whether it has been reported as stolen;
- Its history of manufacturer recalls;
- Its history of accidents and insurance claims;
- Whether the vehicle was imported from outside the UAE, and what is known about its history before arriving in the country.
All these details are very important. They can tell you whether a car is a potential good buy or whether there is any evidence of shady activities involving the vehicle. If red flags emerge from this report, you should no longer consider purchasing the vehicle.
If the above checks result in a positive outcome, then you can use your vehicle report alongside other services to continue to learn much more about your potential next car.
3. Book a comprehensive inspection.
Getting a vehicle inspection before you agree to a purchase is strongly recommended. Using a service like Carantee gives you access to independent expert advice from qualified mechanics.
Carantee operate a comprehensive 128-point inspection that includes visually checking the following:
- Engine
- Bodywork
- Braking system
- Car safety features
- Wheels and tires
- Air conditioning systems
- Interiors and controls
Carantee assessors also road test the vehicle.
Following these checks, you are presented with a report outlining the repairs that are urgently required and minor problems that may need to be fixed within a year.
Carantee reports are entirely unbiased, giving you a factual and honest view of the car’s condition. Their work is supported by photographic and video evidence. It’s simple to organize a Carantee inspection through an Autopro or FastTrack service station. Each inspection takes only around 45 minutes to complete.
4. Check the price
Once you have all the relevant information from Carantee about the car’s condition, you can use this to calculate a fair price for the vehicle. VehicleReport takes data from Carantee and combines it with its own database information on the vehicle.
This report can then tell you the kind of price you should consider paying for the car, given its current condition. What’s more, you can use the independent opinions of VehicleReport and Carantee to help you negotiate the right price with the seller.
These reports may help you obtain an extended warranty if you’re buying from a used car dealer, or to negotiate a discount to cover the cost of necessary work. Alternatively, you could ask the seller to organize the fixing of any faults or problems highlighted in the Carantee report.
5. Check the vehicle’s affordability with VehicleReport.
You can get a good estimate of the cost of running your potential purchase with VehicleReport, too. The service already has all the necessary to information it needs to tell you the approximate:
- Monthly cost of ownership
- Cost of purchasing the vehicle with finance per month
- Price of both fully comprehensive and third party liability (TPL) insurance per month
- Cost of consumables, i.e., fuel
- Depreciation in value of the vehicle per month
- Make sure you are happy with the vehicle.
If you’re happy with the information provided by VehicleReport and Carantee, then there’s just one thing left for you to do. Before you agree to a purchase, be 100% sure this is the right vehicle for you and your family.
Take the car for a test drive and give the car a final onceover. Here are some things to think about:
- Does the car feel comfortable and enjoyable to drive?
- Have you driven the car on both faster and slower roads to get an idea of how it performs in different conditions?
- Are your passengers comfortable in both the front and rear seats?
- Is there enough space in the trunk for your luggage, shopping, and pets?
- Is the car easy to park?
- Do the entertainment and navigation systems, and other interior controls work to your liking?
Asking yourself all these questions can help you purchase a car that isn’t just practical and functional, but also one you’ll enjoy driving and look forward to using.
Using expert and independent reports like VehicleReport alongside your own research about a car is the best way to get a great new-to-you used car in the UAE. What do you think? What things do you look out for when you purchase a vehicle?
