Tips for buying a used car in Dubai

Will the prices of used cars drop in the coming months?

Once you are beyond the dilemma of whether to buy a car or not, you will come to this next 'mental' hurdle - 'To buy a new or a used car'. There are hundreds of cars to choose from and buying a second-hand car can surely save you a lot of money.
Many expats in the city buy a car as an essential purchase and also keep upgrading it, leaving a window for a huge range of used cars to choose from.
"There has been an increase in the purchase of used cards this year and we have achieved more than 100 per cent of the target in the first quarter," says Syed Ali, sales executive at Galadari Automobiles.
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But hardly 2 per cent of the sales are concluded in the first week of a person walking in as buyers contemplate over weeks before taking the car home, he says. But once a decision is made, it takes no more than a week to have the car to yourself.
Buying a second-hand car can be tricky, so go through our detailed list before making your purchase

1. Research your needs

Given that there is no dearth of information available online through websites like buzzon, update yourself with the car models available in your budget. If you are buying from an authorised dealer, check out their review to know their service reputation. Stay well informed with the range of used cars and their depreciating value to know more rather than blankly walking into the showroom.

2. Opt for authorised dealers

While it might be tempting to buy a car at a competitive price directly from a buyer in the newspaper or social media platform, caution must be taken so as to not get duped. There is a possibility ?that no proper safety checks have been carried out, the mileage might ?have been altered, etc. Plus, there are other benefits too - like dealers usually offer a warranty of 30,000km or one year with the purchase. Or you may get the first year's insurance for free.? For example, Galadari Automobiles offers one year or unlimited km warranty on purchase of a pre-owned car.

3. Multiple checks in place

Before buying a used car, there are 145 checks that need to be carried out right from transmission to the engine's health. "There are two options for checks the buyers can opt for. A Dh250 checkup at the workshop and if they aren't satisfied, they can opt for a Dh350 checkup at the RTA," says Syed Ali. You can take the vehicle for a spin to ensure it is performing according to your expectations. You may also get an independent professional to have the vehicle checked to know the real health of the car rather than regretting later.

3. What's the mileage?

This is one of the obvious questions but check out the car's mileage before making your mind. One of the first things you must do is check the car's odometer to determine the age of the machine. A car with a mileage below 130,000km can be considered healthy. It also helps determine if the car has received regular servicing by the former owner.

4. Look out for fluids

Check for any dark brown stains on the engine block to avoid buying a car that needs a mechanic after purchase. Brake fluid should be clear or a yellowish colour, but will most likely be a light brown. Transmission fluid should be clear. Check the vehicle for rust as it means the radiator; heater core or water pump will need to be repaired sometime in the near future.
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5. Transfer of ownership

After the payment has been made, it will take a little over a week to transfer the vehicle in your name. Your registration and car insurance will depend on the purchase you make. The dealer will also get your Salik tag transferred for an additional fee.

Will the prices drop?

As there is a constant supply of cars in the used segment, the price keeps fluctuating. In the coming months, the attractive Ramadan offers for new cars might hit the sale of pre-owned cars.
"Sometimes, the cost of the used car plus registration and insurance totals up as the cost of a new car. If there is only a difference of Dh5,000 to Dh10,000 between the used and new car, why buy the old one?"
anita@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai