Should a Used Car be Bought after Flood?

The UAE has always been regarded as a used car paradise. Featuring an extremely organized market where pre-owned cars are bought and sold professionally, a vast volume of business spewed from this trade which kept proliferating over the years. However, after the catastrophe of the recent deluge, many individuals’ vantage points on purchasing a used car have changed. There’s a common question triggering the thought of every potential used car buyer: Is this the Ideal Time to Buy a Used Car in the UAE?

There are dual aspects to the question mentioned above:

PURCHASING FROM AN INDIVIDUAL

In case of purchasing from an individual, it is likely that the vehicle would be listed on one or more portals. These cars are usually uninspected and papers showcasing the car’s service and accident history might not be always available. Hence, it might not be plausible to unfurl if it has been affected by the flood. 

On the flip side, such cars are generally listed for prices below the market value as sellers conduct thorough research on the website about the prices quoted by other sellers of identical make and model that have traversed a similar distance. 

Buying from a person gives access to a cavernous quantity of similar car models online where one gets to choose the best value deal. But there is a chance that a host of after-market modifications might have been strapped on, that can become illegal in the future. If any tinkering has been done with internal electrical and mechanicals, buyers won’t realize until they turn out to be the scapegoats for purchasing the vehicle with quibbles. Customizations can hide any rust or dents on the body caused by flood water.

Not all individuals would be generous enough to offer documents certifying any free services, parts warranty, and anything else that can be redeemed in the near future. Moreover, it may happen that the outgoing owner wouldn’t have cleared all the fines imposed on the vehicle number. Hence, check the number and amount of fines pending to be paid before giving your consent to transfer the ownership of the vehicle under your name and ensure that those are paid. 

It is also essential to ratify the regional specifications of the model. On the whole, it is advisable to purchase a GCC-spec car as it would conform to the local automotive regulations and would be free from any natural damage such as snow, because of which, a profusion of cars get exported from other countries to the UAE every year. Still, keep an eye out for damage due to deluge water. 

PURCHASING FROM A DEALER

Dealers generally procure an umpteen amount of knowledge, not just of automobiles, but also the process of purchase and sale, assessment of vehicles, updates on norms laid down by authorities for vehicles, the permissible limit of modifications, regional specifications, and brevity on each brand and the model retailed from their respective sales outlets. Hence, a potential buyer is likely to be less uncanny when purchasing from a dealer.

The vehicles would be properly inspected, not just at vehicle registration centers, but even at a garage or their own facility before adding these to their stock. Hence, customers are relieved as the used car isn’t expected to be compounding in its value significantly over the years because of any faux-pas. Through his sources, a dealer might be able to acquire papers showing the car’s service and accident record. Scrutinizing these papers, buyers can have the respite that the machine hasn’t become a victim of anything abominable. If the papers are clear, it indicates that the car hasn’t been jeopardized by the flood. 

Since dealers regularly update themselves with happenings in the automotive industry, they would know if any vehicle was part of a regional or global recall campaign to fix any conundrum. Such cars wouldn’t be a part of their stock. This ensures that customers have a worry-free ownership experience with their cars. 

If a model has any mechanical or cosmetic modifications undertaken by a certified car modifier, they would accept the vehicle. This in turn would benefit the customer as he would be driving the car with the assurance of knowledge that no modification is forbidden. With regards to the purchase of a customized vehicle, it is best to buy from a certified pre-owned used car dealership as their cars go through a diligently curated checklist to qualify for being put up for sale. Since every angle of the car is put through its paces, any signs of rust and abrasion would be instantly exposed. 

A dealer maintains all the vital documents associated with a car such as the vehicle license card, registration certificate, vehicle testing center report, service and accident history, insurance, and so on. He is likely to have manufacturer warranty documents preserved with him as it would be a major USP for the car. So if the car is flood-affected, it wouldn’t go oblivious on the papers. 

WHICH ENTITY TO BUY FROM AFTER THE FLOOD?

From the above, a synopsis can be concocted with the assertion that a used car can be bought after the floods but purchasing from a dealer or certified pre-owned dealership should be given a prerogative over purchasing from an owner directly. However, that doesn’t imply being completely cynical about purchasing from an individual seller. If the person seems to be genuine and documents related to the car are present, it would be a safe transaction satisfying both, the propensity to spend and the hankering for a value proposition. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Q: Can all Used Car Dealers be Trusted?

A: While most used car dealers keep themselves abreast of norms laid down by the authorities for vehicles and try their best to induct only the reliable and fault-free cars in their portfolio, some can turn out to be unscrupulous. Hence, it is best to purchase a car from a prominent or trusted source.