Documents (don't skip these)
- Mulkiya (registration card) — must match the VIN/chassis number on the car. Reject any car where the seller has only a copy.
- RTA / ADP traffic-fines clearance — outstanding fines transfer to you on registration. Check on the RTA app or Abu Dhabi Police app using the plate number.
- Service history — printout from the brand dealer or Carfax-style report (Cazaar, AAA, Carma).
- Insurance status — make sure no claims are pending; ask for the last policy.
- Bank lien — if the car was financed, the bank's release letter must accompany the sale.
Body & exterior
- Panel gaps — uneven gaps between hood/fenders, doors, or trunk indicate prior accident repair.
- Paint texture — orange-peel mismatches between panels = repaint.
- Underbody chassis rails (front and rear) — look for fresh weld lines or kinks.
- Wheel arches & rocker panels — rust here is uncommon in the UAE; if you see it, the car probably came from abroad.
- Tire date codes — DOT week/year on the sidewall. Tires older than 6 years need replacing regardless of tread.
- Sandstorm pitting on windshield — UAE-typical; not a deal breaker, but factor AED 1,000+ for replacement on luxury cars.
Mechanical & under the hood
- Engine oil colour — clean honey-colour or black is normal; milky/foamy = head-gasket issue.
- Coolant reservoir — should be clean green/pink. Rust or oil sheen = cooling-system problem.
- Transmission fluid — should be red/pink, not brown. Burnt smell = trouble ahead.
- Cold-start test — start the car cold; listen for ticking, rattling, or smoke.
- OBD-II scan — any UAE inspection center charges AED 50-100. Stored codes don't lie.
- Exhaust tip — heavy black soot on petrol cars = rich running; blue smoke = oil burn; white smoke that doesn't clear = head gasket.
AC, electrical & interior
- AC at idle in 40°C — should hit 6-10°C at the centre vent within 60 seconds. UAE AC failures are the #1 post-purchase complaint.
- Power windows, mirrors, sunroof — operate every one. Sunroofs are common failure points after 5 years.
- All warning lights — every dashboard light should turn on at ignition then off. A missing bulb often means someone disabled it to hide a fault.
- Reverse camera + parking sensors — replacement on luxury cars is AED 1,500-4,000.
Road test & final steps
- Brake test at 80 km/h — no shimmy, no pull. Brake distance should feel firm.
- Acceleration test — no slipping in any gear; auto transmissions should shift smoothly.
- Steering check — no pull when hands are off the wheel on a flat road.
- Get a third-party inspection — Carma Inspect, AAA, ADNOC Auto Care. AED 250-500 for a full report. Worth it on any purchase over AED 30k.
Tip: Negotiate from the inspection report. Even if the car passes, a list of "minor concerns" is leverage to drop AED 1,000-3,000 off the asking price.
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