Owning a car is essential for citizens and foreigners in the region as well, given the weather and the continuous expansion of roads. Changing the car every once in a while or when the warranty expires is approaching is also common. That is why the car business is a big thing in the region.
Whatever condition the used car you're buying, its biggest advantage is: its low price. But sometimes it may cost you a lot of money after that - if it is not checked well when you buy it - especially if there are expensive parts that need to be changed, such as tires, for example.
When you determine the make and model of the car that fits your budget (after consulting your family and close and not so close friends), you need to decide if you want to go the safe way and buy from the dealer or buy directly from the owner at a price lower than newspaper ads or websites and social media.
You may pay more when dealing with the agent, but this allows you to benefit from offers of guarantee, insurance, registration and down payments. You can also check the agent's reputation before dealing with him.
If you decide to buy from the owner you should be careful and pay attention to details such as the odometer (which can be tampered with), safety checks, the age and quality of used tires and service history.
Whatever your choice, here are some tips to keep in mind:
Be aware of the rate of depreciation of the vehicle you wish to purchase. And take into account the rate of availability of used cars, which leads to price changes. At some times of the year (such as Ramadan) there are good offers on new cars, which may affect the price of used cars.
Test drive the car to make sure everything is in order.
There are 145 checks that must be carried out on a used car before it can be purchased. Take the car to the dealer's service center, the Transport Authority's service center, or to an expert to have it checked.
The most important things to check:
Odometer to determine the age and condition of the vehicle (if the odometer reading exceeds 130,000 km, some problems may appear with the car)
Dark brown spots on the engine - which may require an expert mechanic to check
Brake fluid should be clear, yellow or light brown at the latest
Rust means that the water pump, car radiator, or heater core needs repair
Transmission fluid must be transparent
The luggage compartment and any signs of water leakage or rust
No damage to the structure
Any rust, dent or scratch in the paint
Cabin and seats and make sure there are no cuts, stains or any damage
air conditioner
used tyres. There is a validity period for tires (in the UAE, the validity period is 5 years from the date of manufacture, in other countries it is 6 years), so you must ensure its validity. If you see any of the following signs, have the tires seen by an expert before purchasing the vehicle
Metallic glitter on the frame. Off-road or sharp objects can cause this damage and may lead to a puncture or sudden tire blowout
Weather cracks, bumps on the side of the tire, or bubbles
The car is drifting in a certain direction, which indicates that the wheels need to adjust angles or lag in tire rotation
Visible or obvious wear bands to the same degree as the tire lines mean that the tire is end of life
If you are satisfied with the condition of the car but want to change the tyres. You should choose safe, comfortable and long-lasting tires, such as the Turanza tires from Bridgestone.
