Read this before buying a used car in the UAE
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If you have the money, there is no reason why you shouldn’t buy a brand new car. They are less likely to give you a headache, and you’d have no worries about the car breaking down soon. Unfortunately, this may not always be the case for all people. For some people, the only option is to buy a used car. If you want to get your money’s worth when getting a used car, here are some factors to consider.
Exterior
A nice exterior usually says a lot about the car’s health. People who maintain the freshness of their car’s interiors tend to take care of the car as a whole. Check for fading, scratches and dents. Waviness on the car’s surface is a sign of a new paintwork. New paintwork might be a sign of an accident.
Rust
Check all areas where corrosion is possible. This is especially important if the car is more than five years old. UAE is known for extreme conditions that will only worsen already existing signs of corrosion. Check the side sills, the front wings both rear and top, the doors’ bottoms, the rear and front bumpers. If you hear a cracking noise when you gently press a metal panel, it’s a sign of advanced corrosion.
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Mileage
It’s one of the first things you ask when buying a used car. The number of kilometers run by the car usually indicates the age of the vehicle. Go for cars that have 30,000 kilometers or below per year of age. This doesn’t mean that a 10-year old car that has low mileage is good. Cars age even when not in use. Check for regular maintenance and servicing if possible.
Engine
A dirty engine bay indicates that the car has been neglected but when it’s too clean, it may indicate that it has been cleaned to cover up a problem. The look of the engine should be somewhere in between. Check the oil’s color as well the quantity of the coolant. Start the engine and rev it for a while. Take note of the noise when you turn on the car’s ignition and also while you are revving it. It should be smooth with no significant hiccups and unwanted noise.
History
Checking the history of the car is especially important when buying an imported car. If the owner or the dealer still has records of the service history of the vehicle, read through it. For cars that come from the US, check the VIN number. This is usually printed on the dashboard. You can do a quick checkup of the VIN online to see if the vehicle has figured in an accident.
GCC Specs
As much as possible, stick to cars that have GCC specs. These cars will give you less headaches in the long run because they have been modified to survive the harsh environment and extreme climates of UAE. Imported cars may not be properly equipped with the right radiator, air conditioning unit, or filtration system designed for UAE’s driving conditions and may break down easily.
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