Buying a Used Car In UAE - A Complete Detailed Guide

Tejen Chaudhary

12 Sep 2024

Est. Reading Time 18 mins

The continuously expanding boundaries of UAE and the superb road network, have made car buying a necessity. However, buying a new car in UAE is still a hassle, not to mention the additional cost along with the compromise on choices that buyers face while doing so. But, thanks to the enormously big used car market in UAE, new buyers have many options and choices. May it be the preference for a big swanky SUV or a classy sedan, you can buy bigger cars at a smaller price. But, it is not as easy as it sounds because of the numerous issues like scams, bad quality of cars, less expertise in a variety of models, and more. Do not worry, as we have all sorted for you below. Read the most detailed comprehensive guide to buying a used car in Dubai in 2024 to help you choose the right car.

Also Read: How to sell your car in dubai: Full Guide

What Is The Advantage Of Buying a Used Car In UAE?

The most obvious question is why buy a used car in UAE? While buying a new car is a different experience altogether, proper research and market study can easily help you in choosing a value-for-money car in the used car market. Additionally, you can also purchase a segment above model when compared to the limited choices of buying a new car in UAE. Below are a few examples of why buying a used car is beneficial for you:

Better Options: One of the biggest advantages of buying a used car in UAE is that you can save money on the new car and easily opt for a bigger segment model. For example, if your budget allows you to buy a new crossover, the same budget will help you in buying a big 7-seater SUV with off-road capabilities. Better and more options are always in favor of consumers.
Low Price: Again, an obvious reason to opt for a second-hand car in UAE is the cost savings. You can easily save up to 40 percent on a car as old as 3 years. Hence, your favorite model can be bought by spending nearly half of the price of the new car.
Low Insurance Cost: The insurance value or the IDV attached to a second-hand car might not be as high as a new car, but, the premium is always considerably less when compared to a new car. The low cost of insuring a used car is helpful in saving money as well as providing all the necessary insurance services.
Low Depreciation Value: It is one of the major aspects that attracts a lot of buyers towards the used cars in UAE. A new car is deemed as a valuable asset on paper, however, when months pass, it loses out a bigger portion of its value due to the market depreciation standards. Additionally, factors as such dents, scratches, and accidents, tend to reduce the overall value of a new car rapidly. A used car has already witnessed the maximum hit of depreciation, and hence, a second-hand car will depreciate at half the rate of a new car.
Aftermarket Service Option: Buying a new car also comes with a standard factory warranty, which means you can not get your car serviced outside of the authorized workshops as it violates the warranty policy of the manufacturer. This also means that you’ll end up paying more than the aftermarket service rate for a new car servicing at the official service center. But, a used car doesn’t have such an association of maintenance checks. It can easily be serviced anywhere in the aftermarket and users can save a considerable amount.

Also Read: Inspection checklist before buying a used car in UAE

What Is The Process Of Buying a Used Car In The UAE?

The first step while buying a used car in the UAE is to have a better and more in-depth understanding of the process and the right things to do. Following the below steps can save you time and money while finding the perfect used car for yourself in the UAE.

Shortlist Models: The primary step of buying a second-hand car is to select a model as per your needs and usage. It is necessary to identify the needs and the type of use that the car is going to cover for you. If you have limited use within the city, then opt for a small car that is easy to park, drive, and maintain and gives good fuel economy. Similarly, if you drive intercity, find a suitable car that is spacious, has good comfort, and has good highway performance. Therefore, identifying the need and use will shortlist the best options for you automatically.
Check VIN: The second step is to check the Vehicle Identification Number or VIN, which is a code that can be used to find the history of the vehicle since it was dispatched from the factory. The whole service history and accident history of any car can be found via a valid VIN. However, the catch here is that the car must have been serviced at an authorized service center. CARS24 fleet cars are all checked and verified for a valid VIN with a clean history, before being purchased. Check the VIN and history of the selected car that you want to buy.
Check Service History/Mileage: Another important factor is the service history of the car and its odometer reading or mileage. The car that you’ve selected should have a valid service history along with the correct odometer reading. This would confirm that the car has good mechanical health and it has been serviced as per the company norms. Also, a service record can help in identifying any sort of major repairs or accident history attached to the car.
Physical Inspection: Once you have selected a car, visit to physically inspect the car for any sort of damages or issues that you feel are not mentioned in the listing. During the physical inspection, make sure that you go through all the visible scratches and bodywork done on the car. Similarly, the interiors and the engine bay should be checked. While certified used car dealers do not allow you to bring your own mechanic, you can use the help of a mechanic to get the car checked while purchasing the car directly from an owner. Another important point to check is the underbody of the car. Some cars, especially sedans, are prone to belly scraping and rusting. Such issues can be easily found by checking the underbody. Try to take the car to a place that has a lift, so that you can easily check the underbody.
Test Drive: Once you’ve physically inspected the car and checked the documentation, make sure to take the car for a quick spin. It is also a crucial step as any sort of abnormal behavior of the vehicle can be noticed or experienced. Be cautious while driving the car and try to test it at various parameters like - driving fast to check the engine performance, making emergency stops to check the brakes and alignment, using over bad roads to check the suspension, etc. Make sure to check the engine oil level and coolant level post your test drive, as a reduced level would indicate bad maintenance or an issue. Make sure to hear any weird noises coming from the car, and get it checked before buying.
Documentation and Transaction: Once you have selected and test-driven the car, make sure to go through the documentation properly. Check for any pending traffic fines or pending loans against the vehicle. Also, check the ownership history, as a car with multiple owners indicates issues with the vehicle or poor maintenance. Moreover, get the insurance transferred into your name when buying the car. During the transaction, a sales agreement will be signed between the seller and the new owner in the RTA office. Make sure to carry your required documents. Check the documents required for transferring ownership in Dubai here.

Also Read: Car Registration Process in Dubai 2024: A Complete Guide For Used Car & New Car Registration

Tips For Buying a Used Car - How To Choose The Right Car?

Now it is not necessary that everyone who buys a used car is an expert or has some experience of buying cars. Therefore, we have made it simpler for you if you are purchasing a used car in UAE for the first time. How? Well, below are some quick tips from us that will surely save you time and money and help you choose the right car for yourself.

Specify Budget: The most important factor in buying a car is to specify the budget. In the used car market, there are numerous options available at every budget point. Therefore, to eliminate the confusion, you must specify your budget constraint. Once done, it then becomes easy to shortlist cars for yourself.
Specify Requirements: The second important tip from us is that you clarify your needs and the purpose of the car. For example, if your use is going to be majorly within the city and you have a small family, then a small crossover makes sense to buy. However, if you travel more on the highways, then you should look for a comfortable car with good fuel economy. This step will help you purchase the perfect car for your needs.
Check Exteriors: Closely check your selected model for the repainted panels and accidental history. Remove the rubber beading on the doors and panels like the bonnet and boot, see if these have been repainted, and then proceed according to the condition of the vehicle.
Check Underbody Damage: A very important step that easily gets missed out is the checking of the underbody. The underbody of any vehicle is prone to more damage than its exterior panels. Cars like sedans are very prone to underbody scrapping at high-speed bumps and over bad roads. Check your shortlisted vehicle for any underbody damage or major repairs.
Mechanical & Electrical Fault Check: Double check the mechanical parts as such the brakes, suspension, engine, gearbox mountings, and more. A professional mechanic will easily find out major repairs that have been carried out in the past. Similarly, the electrical setup like lights, wipers, interior lights, and other functions can be checked quickly.
Pay Attention: While taking a test drive, pay attention to the behavior of the vehicle. Test its stability on a straight line and around the corners. Also, make sure to test its braking under emergency conditions. Pay attention to any unusual noise from the vehicle or any different behaviour like losing stability under braking. Such minute details help a lot in choosing an accident-free car.
Evaluate Options: Make sure to shortlist a few other models as options, while buying a used car. If, by chance, your selected model has shortcomings that stop you from buying it, the subsidiary options will save you time and energy in repeating the process of shortlisting a car.
Check Documentation: Last but not least, the most important step is to closely check the documentation of the selected car. Make sure that the service history of the car along with the accident history (if any), is available. Moreover, other important documents like the registration, insurance, and any pending fines or pending loans should be checked thoroughly.

How To Determine The Right Price?

Another confusion among second-hand car buyers is finding the correct price of a car. Once you have selected a car and checked it thoroughly, the last pending confusion is, “Is this the correct price?”. Well, there are a few steps that we would suggest to you, to make sure that you do not regret buying a used car in UAE. Some of these crucial steps are mentioned below:

Brand Selection: While determining the pricing of a used car, make sure to select a car brand that you want to buy. Additionally, a specific car model also needs to be decided before getting the right price.
Ownership Numbers: Another important factor to consider is the ownership frequency of the selected car. The more the number of owners, the higher the possibility of misuse and poor maintenance history of the car. A used car with a single owner will always be priced higher than the same car with multiple owners.
Market Evaluation: You can easily determine the price of a specific car by comparing the pricing of CARS24 to other sellers. While we assure you of the best pricing for any car (can be interlinked) along with the best quality, good research of the aftermarket will help you understand the average price of a specific model.
Depreciation Considerations: The resale value of a car is also directly dependent on the brand chosen and its image in the market. Some specific brands like Toyota and Nissan enjoy higher resale value than rival brands like Volkswagen. Hence, make sure that you’ve gone through the price of listings online as well as offline.
Manufacturing Year: The manufacturing year of a selected car is also an important factor in determining its pricing. If you choose an old car model, the pricing of it will always be less than the facelifted model or the latest model. Hence, an old model will be cheaper than the newer models due to the absence of new features and probably the use of old technology.
Odometer Reading: Another important thing to note while considering the worth of a car, is to check the odometer reading. The higher the mileage, the lower the pricing. However, this is not always the case, as some brands such as Toyota Land Cruiser and Nissan Patrol, often enjoy higher resale value even after being used for thousands of kilometers.
Documentation: If your selected model has incomplete documentation, like the absence of valid insurance or no warranty period left, the purchase value automatically goes down. Additionally, the presence or absence of the service history and accident history of a car also affects its purchase value.
Overall Condition: Lastly, the overall condition of the selected vehicle also leads to the price variation. A clean car with no dents or repainted panels and good mechanical health will be priced higher than the cars with bad overall condition.

Also Read: Mulkiya Renewal Online and Check Validity In UAE: All You Need To Know

Beware Of These Things When Buying a Used Car In The UAE!

Now it is important to note that in the used car market, you can be played by unethical sellers. Such sellers practice various methods and tactics to sell defective cars with various conditions that can directly affect your used car buying experience in Dubai. While buying from CARS24 is a well-assured and bulletproof experience with intact cars, below are some usual scams that need to be avoided:

Odometer Tampering: Tampering the odometer of a used car is the most usual and oldest scam that is followed by unethical sellers. Make sure to go through the service history of the car you have selected, before buying it. If the seller is unable to provide the service and accident history, please avoid buying the car.
Incomplete Documentation: Avoid purchasing a used car in Dubai that has an incomplete history of documents. These important documents include the service history, ownership history, insurance, and pending fines against the car registration. It is also another tactic that unethical sellers use to scam customers. Make sure to check the documents of the car completely.
No Test Drive Method: Sometimes, a suspected scam will also have a ‘no test drive’ policy attached. If the car has some sort of issue, the seller would not agree to a detailed test drive. Such cases are more likely to happen with defective used cars less than 2-3 years old. These cars might appear new on paper but any type of a crucial lag will lead the seller to tricking the potential buyer with the ‘no test drive’ policy.
Poor Repairs: Another crucial factor to take into account is the repairs carried on the car. The scale of repair and the quality of the work done tell a lot about the vehicle’s history. If the car you have selected has paint chipping off and rusting at places, avoid buying it. Moreover, a quick checkup of the mechanicals by a technician can tell exactly how the car was used. Any signs of abuse mean refraining from purchase.
Engine Check Light Tampering: Modern cars have an array of light alarms present on the speedometer console. These alarms lit up whenever a specific issue occurs in the car. One such primary example is the engine check light, which turns on to tell that the engine needs to be checked immediately. However, when a car is tampered with, the engine check light lits up as well. To cover it, scamsters get it erased from the OBD sensors easily. So, get the car checked with an OBD sensor computer while buying. A simple scan will showcase any hidden warning signs that might indicate bad car health.

Why Buy a Used Car From CARS24?

Since there is so much associated with the purchase of a used car in Dubai, the chances of getting a poorly maintained car are higher. So, why not let the experts take care of that for you, right? CARS24 is the exact place where you can easily find a used car of your choice. We’ve got a dedicated team of experts, hand-picked used cars, and a plethora of services that can ease the process of buying a second-hand car in Dubai for you. Below are some of the primary reasons, why you should buy a used car from us:

150 Checkpoints: One of the primary reasons for choosing CARS24 for your next used car purchase, is our extensive vehicle checkup routine. While buying a used car, our team of experts makes sure to check a car at 150 different checkpoints, ensuring the best quality and reliability for our used car customers. These checkpoints include the in-depth inspection of the exterior, interior, engine, and mechanical setup of a car. Hence, our quality standards are unmatched by other used car dealers in Dubai.
Easy Documentation: As we mentioned above, the documentation while buying a used car in Dubai, is one of the crucial aspects of your purchase. These documents include the submission of your IDs, car registration certificate transfers, insurance transfers, and more. Hence, to reduce the long paperwork and headache involved, the CARS24 Car Transfer Service experts will help you easily transfer the documents of the car you have purchased, into your name. Moreover, our car registration transfer process is completely transparent and ensures that customers receive the most unbiased car buying experience.
Detailed Walkthrough of Car: When you go for a used car purchase, it is important to have complete information about the model that you have selected. Even after deep research, there are a few important points that go unnoticed. Therefore, CARS24 has eliminated this issue for its customers as our dedicated representatives make sure that customers always get complete information regarding the car they are buying. From making customers understand the features and technical aspects, we make sure that a detailed walkthrough of the car is provided to customers.
Doorstep Test Drive: While for some, buying a used car in Dubai might not be a premium experience, this is not the case for CARS24 car buyers. We make sure that each and every buyer experiences a premium touch of car buying, and hence, we provide a doorstep test drive of your chosen car model. Our team of experts will bring your favourite car to your home so that you can drive it and experience in-depth your next car purchase.

If you want to test drive a car, make sure to contact us at +97142780411 number or you can also visit www.cars24.ae.
Complimentary Car Warranty: With each car sold from CARS24 Dubai MRL Hub, We provide a complementary warranty. This warranty may range from a standard 3 months to 6 months or 10,000 kilometers (whichever is earlier), depending upon the model sold. A standard 3-month warranty means that you don’t need to be worried about the car you’ve purchased in any manner. While we know that our old cars do not encounter any issues, a warranty is a cherry on the cake for customers.
Complimentary Car Service: When buying a used car in Dubai, customers often tend to forget about the last service of the car they are purchasing. While a model might look as fresh as a showroom, its mechanical health must not be top-notch. CARS24 ensures that every car we receive in our inventory, undergoes a detailed servicing, including the engine oil change, all filters replaced, and other necessary top-ups like AC refrigerant. This ensures a smooth running vehicle handover to customers and a positive buying experience.

We also provide car servicing options to every car owner in Dubai. You need not purchase a car from us to avail of our expert car servicing. All you need to do is book an appointment through our CARS24 Car Service.
7-Day Free Return Policy: What if the used car that you have purchased does not exactly suit your requirements, or it has issues, or you just did not like it? Well, here’s when our 7-day free return policy plays a crucial role. CARS24 7-Day Free Return allows customers to return the car purchased, without any additional cost. The purchased car can be easily handed over to our team if it is as intact as brought. There are no hidden costs involved and the return policy is simple as well as quick.
Zero Downpayment Finance Scheme: CARS24 Finance Service offers amazing financing options to customers with a zero downpayment amount. Our in-house insurance team makes sure that customers get maximum loan amount approval without any downpayment and with low interest rates. To achieve this, we’ve made pacts for financing facilities with various reputed banks as such the Commercial Bank of Emirates, Emirates Islamic Bank, Dubai Islamic Bank, ADIB, ADCB, and Emirates NBD.

Our Other Best-In-Class Used Car Services

With multiple used car services available on the go by CARS24, we ensure to take things one step ahead of the competition. Breaking the norms of the used cars in the Dubai market, we have even more services available for car owners in Dubai. These services can be availed without buying or selling a car to us. Any car owner is welcome to our MRL Hub in Dubai, and select the service as per their requirements. A brief of these services is as below:

Car Insurance: CARS24 Car Insurance Service provides an option to customers to purchase or renew their car insurance. A car needs to be insured at any cost, but what about insurance that is complex in approving claims and involves higher costs of renewal? Worry not, our team of insurance experts will guide you through the best car insurance service in Dubai, where you can easily find a cost-effective yet reliable insurance scheme, perfect as per your requirements.
Car Registration Transfer: Similar to car insurance services, CARS24 car registration transfer services help customers easily transfer documents while buying or selling their car. The usual process of car registration transfer in Dubai (blog interlink) includes a lot of documentation. Our dedicated team of experts can help you with an easy transfer of your car’s registration with a minimal fee.
Customer-to-Customer (C2C) Services: Another unique car service that we provide is the C2C or customer-to-customer car selling or car buying. Under this service, we play as a mediator to help you select a customer’s car directly or sell your car to a customer directly. Our minimal fee and expert team helps you in choosing the right car model as per your needs.
Car Window Tinting: CARS24 also provides car customization services like window tinting. Window tints are a necessary modification that new car buyers immediately prefer. Why? Because of the multiple reasons like keeping the harsh UV sun rays away and helping the car to cool down, as well as increasing the privacy of the passengers and driver. Our low-cost window tints are one of the best in the aftermarket.

To get your car’s windows tinted, you can visit our nearest CARS24 MRL Hub in Dubai.
Car Detailing: Has it been a long time since you got your car deep cleaned? Worry not! CARS24Car Detailing Service will help you in getting your car cleaned in-depth. Our expert car detailers know how to exactly extract the dust from the inside of your car, as well as clean the paint like a showroom-ready model. Car detailing is a necessary service that car owners must use every six months to keep their cars looking spankingly new. Additionally, it eliminates any bad odor or bacteria from the interiors, thus, maintaining a safe and sanitized cabin.
Car Coatings: Another crucial car maintenance service that we provide is car coating. Car coatings can be of multiple types, including waxing, application of a sealant with compound treatment, and ceramic coatings as well. Cars24 Car Coating Service experts make sure that the paint surface of your car is refurbished up to the factory standards and that your car looks as good as a new car on the road. Our aggressive pricing is another reason for you to visit our MRL Hub in Dubai and avail of our detailing and car coating services.

Popular Used Cars In The UAE - Brand List

Now that you know the complete process of searching, inspecting, and buying a used car in UAE, here below is a short list of some popular used car brands in UAE that are preferred by new customers over the years:

Toyota

The most trusted car brand all around the globe, Toyota is one of the top-selling as well as most valued car brands. Its popular models like the Land Cruiser 200, Land Cruiser Prado, Corolla, and Camry, are preferred by new used car buyers in Dubai. The main reason behind the popularity of Toyota is its rock-solid reliability as well as cheap maintenance costs.

You can check out all of the available Used Toyota Cars in Dubai here.

Nissan

Another Japanese car brand on the list of popular used cars in Dubai is Nissan. Nissan cars are more affordable than the rival brands and offer a spacious cabin and reliable engines. Some of these popular cars include the Kicks crossover, Sunny sedan, and Altima sedan. Nissan cars are usually known for their cheap maintenance and high fuel economy, thus, catering to a wide range of buyers.

You can check out the Used Nissan Cars in Dubai available at CARS24 near you.

Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi is known for making one of the most robust SUVs worldwide. The used car market in Dubai is dominated by used Mitsubishi models such as the Pajero, Montero Sport, and Eclipse Cross. A major trait that the Mitsubishi cars have identical to the rival Japanese cars, is the strong reliability and cheap maintenance.

We have a wide range of Used Mitsubishi Cars in Dubai available for sale.

KIA

The Korean car manufacturer Kia is also deemed a trusted used car brand in Dubai. Known for making spacious cars that are cheaper to buy and own, Kia models are always in demand. Some of the popular Kia cars in Dubai include the Sportage SUV, Rio sedan, and Picanto hatchback.