GCC vs Non-GCC Cars: Which One to Buy?

The days when one had to reserve overwhelming amounts of money to secure his dream car are endangered now. This is because explosive amounts of imported on non-GCC used cars are brought by used car dealers or simply imported by people, affluent enough to achieve their opulent ride. Upon sifting used cars on websites, it is revealed on certain occasions that two cars with identical specifications and odometer readings would have a significant price gap. 

GCC alternative would generally turn out to be the more expensive one when juxtaposed. This difference has been the linchpin in sparking off a mental debate. Which Used Car to Buy: GCC or Imported? In this article, we provide a succinct explanation of both categories of cars and a synopsis of which happens to be the better and safer choice.  

GCC Vehicles

If you have been to used car websites, there is a probability that you would have stumbled upon a column reading ‘Regional Specs.’ If it mentions ‘GCC,’ it means that the car complies to the regulations prescribed by the UAE authorities overlooking vital matters related to cars such as emission standards, prohibited features, engine specifications allowed, and so on. 

These yardsticks are ruled out by the government in each country frequently and amended from time to time so that the cars launched in their respective regions by companies themselves or authorized representatives and dealerships are safe to travel, can withstand the typical climate, and are abstained from offering features or modifications that may be illicit for the region. 

GCC vehicles are safer in lieu of their non-GCC alternatives in the sense that driving these won’t attract fines related to the mechanicals and electricals of the vehicle. Moreover, these cars also come with warranty packages, and service provisions by the manufacturer, and spare parts are easily available. 

UAE having a typical hot and humid climate has had manufacturers rigorously testing their vehicles and providing better air conditioning systems before launching it in the market. However, such attention is not levied upon imported vehicles as these aren’t introduced by OEMs, but by pre-owned car dealers. 

Non-GCC Vehicles

In the specifications column, everything else apart from GCC is Non-GCC. So if you ever happen to gaze at the words, ‘American,’ ‘Japanese,’ ‘Korean,’ etc. consider that the model has been imported to sell in the region. 

An advantage Non-GCC models have over GCC ones is the range. Manufacturers generally preserve an exhaustive portfolio of cars but all are launched depending on their suitability for the region in introspection. However, literally, any car can be imported as long as it hasn’t been blacklisted by the authorities for some major gremlin. 

Moreover, these vehicles, mostly imported from the USA and Japan are known to have a wider gamut of features versus their GCC siblings. This works as a major promoter for people to buy used cars in the UAE. Certain features such as seat ventilation with memory function and massage, panoramic sunroof, 4-zone climate control, infotainment screens for rear passengers, etc. make a humongous difference. Certain engine options with more grunt can also be found in imported derivatives of a model. 

However, the fact that these machines had to be exported from another market to the UAE itself arouses a sense of apprehension in the minds of potential car buyers. Every year, many cars get submerged under snow in some countries.

These directly plummet in value, so much that the owner or dealer might think of exporting the car with a profit incentive. After purchasing one of these models, if the model gets defunct, the owner is not likely to receive support from the official distributor as it wasn’t sold by them. Spare parts availability for a model that hasn’t been inducted ever also remains a somber concern. 

At times, dealers may succeed in tricking customers by claiming that the model of their choice, conforms to GCC specifications, which may not be the reality. There are clear signs that will indicate if a model is based on UAE mandates. 

Firstly, take a careful stare at the car’s design and search images for its GCC counterpart. Keeping aside minor modifications, if you spot any design elements that weren’t a part of the OEM product, it means that it is not a GCC-bound model. 

Secondly, if the car has analog dials on the instrument cluster marked in mph, clearly it has been imported as all vehicles here follow Km/h markings. 

Thirdly, do a brief research on the car and find out the features and trim levels it was available in the country. If these aspects don’t match, it means the car wasn’t imported by the official dealer. 

Which One Should You Buy?

Simply put, GCC cars, even if they are more expensive, are the ones we would recommend buying. These cars are tested for their reliability, can be serviced at the distributor’s garage, their spare parts availability isn’t a concern, and emerge victorious in the test of time.

However, non-GCC cars shouldn’t be completely ignored. If you’re reasonably convinced that the car features built-to-last materials, a dependable engine, and offers generous longevity, these can be considered.

You might end up acquiring more features at a much lower price. The nail only sways towards the purchase of non-GCC models where spare parts are also easily available. Many times, imported models come inshore where demand for them is extremely high among the masses. In this case, the cars can turn out to be trustworthy and free from any defects. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which Imported Cars are Highly Recommended?

There are certain imported cars that can be recommended to purchase such as the Toyota 4-Runner, Volkswagen Jetta, and the Japanese-spec Lexus LS. These cars have a good public image and can be expected to serve their owners for the foreseeable future. 

What is the difference between GCC and non-GCC cars?

There are many differences which persist between GCC and non-GCC cars such as their prices, after-sales support, regional validation and warranty cover. These aspects have been covered in detail in this article.