Tools / Everyday
Used car check
Buying a used car? Enter the VIN to see the maker, country and model year, then walk through a full checklist — paint, flood signs, odometer, engine, test drive and papers — save notes for each car, and see the official checks, their fees and the scams police have warned about.
The VIN and your checklists are read on your phone only
17 characters — on the registration card, at the bottom of the windscreen on the driver's side, or on the driver's door frame.
How to use it
- Enter the VIN (17 characters) — see the maker and model year.
- Add the car under «Checklist» and work through it at the seller's.
- Flag anything that worries you — it counts in the summary.
- Before paying: get the official report and an approved centre's inspection, and send the summary to a friend or mechanic.
Questions
The check digit «doesn't match» — is it fake?
Not necessarily. The check digit (9th character) is required only on North-American cars. GCC, Japanese and European cars may not use it — treat it as a signal for US cars, not a verdict.
Does the official report show accidents?
Dubai RTA's vehicle status report (AED 120, with the owner's consent) shows insurance and ownership history; RTA says it may not include accidents, odometer or maintenance — so an approved inspection is essential.
What does a transfer cost in Dubai?
About AED 455 for a light vehicle (registration 350, plate 35 or 50, sale agreement 50, 20 knowledge and innovation) + AED 170 for the technical inspection required on every ownership change.