The UAE has a bustling resale market for used cars. It is almost unlikely for you not to find something you are looking for. So let's say you have found the car you were looking for at a price that makes it a steal deal.
The UAE has a bustling resale market for used cars. It is almost unlikely for you not to find something you are looking for. So let's say you have found the car you were looking for at a price that makes it a steal deal. The dealer assures you that it's in perfect condition. When you look at it, the paint job gleams under showroom light. Will you buy the car?
If your answer was a resounding yes, you are signing up for trouble because you just bought a car without checking its accident history. The sellers wouldn't disclose the car's accident history, so you should be vigilant enough to check it. Why? That's because a car's accident history affects its:
Security
Resale value
Maintenance needs
That's why verifying a vehicle's accident history before buying is crucial. In this guide, we'll walk you through:
Steps to ensure you're making a smart investment
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Steps to Ensure You're Making a Smart Investment
Purchasing a car, be it a fresh model or a used car, is a big deal. We are talking about your hard-earned money, dreams, and safety here. So before buying a used car in the UAE, make sure to check for the following things:
Car's Exterior
Look for any signs of damage, such as scratches, dents, or rust. Additionally, take a close look at the paint across all the panels. See if there is any inconsistency. It might be a telltale sign of previous repairs. Next up are tires. They should have sufficient tread depth and even wear patterns.
Interior Inspection
The insides matter just as much as the exterior. Check the following areas like a hawk: seats, dashboard, and upholstery. Turn on all systems, such as the air conditioning, infotainment, and power windows, to see if they are working smoothly. Check them a couple of times to ensure they are in good condition.
Mechanical Evaluation
Don't trust the dealer's word. Take the car out for a test drive. While enjoying the experience, be mindful of any unusual noise from the engine, vibrations, and fluid levels. See if the brakes, steering, gears, suspension, and clutch work smoothly. If you are experiencing any trouble, too little or too much pressure, in using any of these, it is an area to explore further.
Airbags
Cross-check to see if all the airbags are present and undeployed. If they are, good. If not, ask what happened.
Service & Maintenance History
What major service and maintenance repairs did the car undergo, and why? As a buyer, you have full authority to ask for these records, so don't shy away. Additionally, ask for the VIN or the Vehicle Identification Number to check the car's history and authenticity.
Warranty
Typically, there are three kinds of warranty that a car must have:
Manufacturer's Warranty
Third-Party Warranty
Powertrain Warranty
Check if the car has those. Additionally, you may want to check for other warranties the dealer is providing you.
Mileage
Excessively high mileage means that the car has been used a lot, which may cause more wear and tear. Similarly, excessively low mileage may hint at long periods of inactivity or irregular maintenance. Check smartly.
Official Platforms to Check Accident History
While checking the above aspects, you are also required to check the vehicle's accident history. Here's how you can do it:
You will need the vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or the Chassis Number, which can be found on the vehicle's registration card.
Note: If the seller or the dealer refuses to give you the VIN, do not buy the vehicle. If this number is scratched off, missing, or altered anywhere, walk away from the deal. No brainer.
There are multiple ways to check for accident history, and we will explain each one in detail.
1 Using the Emirates Vehicle Gate (EVG)
If the vehicle is registered in any of the following emirates, you will find the information you are looking for on EVG:
Abu Dhabi
Sharjah
Ajman
Umm Al Quwain
Ras Al-Khaimah
Fujairah
This means all emirates EXCEPT for Dubai. Even if the vehicle was initially registered in the Emirates mentioned above and then transferred to Dubai, chances are that you'll not find the details.
Step-by-step guide:
Visit the EVG website
You have the option to either log in or use the quick search function
Add the VIN in the space
Click search, and you will be shown the reported accidents
You will be able to see the following details:
Type of accident
Time
Location
Current condition of the vehicle
2 Using the Ministry of Interior (MOI)
Like EVG, the Ministry of Interior (MOI) will only show accident reports for the 6 emirates except for Dubai. However, it will show results if the vehicle was transferred to Dubai. Moreover, if the vehicle was imported from the US, Japan, or Europe and has not been registered at least once will not show up.
To check the history:
Visit the MOI website: Ministry of Interior MOI - Accidents Inquiry
Enter the VIN number
Press search, and you will see the results
3 TAMM
The Abu Dhabi government has its website to help you find vehicle accident history. Follow these simple steps:
Visit the TAMM website: TAMM - Abu Dhabi Government Services
In the menu section, you will see 'Government Entities.' Click on it.
From the options below, click on 'Abu Dhabi Police.
Then, scroll to the 'Manage Personal Vehicle.'
Select 'View Vehicle Accident History'
Sign in with UAE Pass
Enter the chassis number, and you will see the records
4 RTA Dubai Website
For vehicles in Dubai, you will find the records on Dubai's RTA website. Follow the steps below:
Visit the RTA Website: Roads & Transport Authority - Home
Go to 'Driver and Vehicle Owner Service'
Click on 'Vehicle Accident Enquiry'
Put in the VIN and click submit
The current owner of the car will get a code on the registered mobile number after you click submit.
You will have to give the code and pay AED 120. This fee is for the 'Technical Vehicle Status Certificate service. It provides data about:
Condition of the vehicle
Insurance history
Accident history
Vehicle owner history and more
Conclusion
If you buy a car with accident reports, several issues can arise. These include higher maintenance costs, insurance challenges while calculating premiums, safety concerns and challenges in registrations.
This is why you should never skip checking accident history before buying a used car.