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Ok so here’s the thing about buying a used car in Dubai…. Let me share what I wish someone had told me when I first started. I made SO many mistakes with my first purchase – like not knowing how to check car owner details in Dubai properly – and honestly could’ve saved myself alot of headache.
Why You NEED to Check Car Owner Details in Dubai
Look, I get it. You see a shiny car on Dubizzle and your just thinking how good you’ll look driving it lol. But trust me… the prettiest cars sometimes hide the ugliest histories.
When I bought my first used car in 2023, I didnt check car owner details in Dubai properly. The guy seemed nice, showed some papers, and I was like “yeah this looks fine.” Three months later? Engine problems. Turns out the car had been in a major accident. That’s when I learned the HARD way that you gotta dig deeper.
The Mulkiya Check – Your Best Friend
First things first – the mulkiya (vehicle registration card). This is literally everything when your trying to check car owner details in Dubai.
I was once looking at a gorgeous 2019 Camry and the seller showed me a mulkiya. But something felt off (maybe it was too new-looking?? idk). So I went to an RTA kiosk and verified it. Turns out the mulkiya was fake. Like a really good fake, but still fake. The real owner was completely different and the car had outstanding fines worth 15,000 AED. Dodged a bullet their!
To properly check car owner details in Dubai using the mulkiya: verify the seller’s name matches exactly, check the chassis number matches whats on the car, look at issue and expiry dates, and make sure theres no “mortgage” stamp.
There are several ways to get detailed reports when you want to check car owner details in Dubai properly. I use these services:
Using RTA Dubai App to Check Car Owner Details
Honestly this app changed my life ngl. You can check car owner details in Dubai right from your phone while standing next to the car. Just open RTA Dubai app, go to vehicle services, enter the plate number, and boom – complete history.
Last month I was checking out an X5 and used the app to check car owner details in Dubai. Found out it had 3 previous owners in just 2 years. Red flag much?? The seller tried saying “oh its a lease car” but when I pressed him he admitted it had mechanical issues. Thank god I checked!
Getting Vehicle History Reports
There are several ways to get detailed reports when you want to check car owner details in Dubai properly. RTA Vehicle Testing Centers give official reports showing accident history, modifications, and ownership changes. Cost me around 200 AED last time but totally worth it.
Insurance company records are another hack not many know about. When you check car owner details in Dubai through insurance databases, you can see if the car was involved in major claims. My friend works at an insurance company and told me some cars get “totaled” but somehow end up back on the market after dodgy repairs.
Physical Inspection Matters Too
Even after you check car owner details in Dubai and everything looks clean on paper… you still gotta inspect the actual car. I bought a cheap paint meter from Amazon (like 80 AED) and its saved me twice already.
When I was looking at an Accord a few months ago, documents were perfect but my paint meter showed different thickness readings on different panels. That means repainting = probable accident damage. When I confronted the seller, he finally admitted it had been rear-ended. See? Always verify physically even when you check car owner details in Dubai and they seem legit.
The Multiple Owner Red Flag
When you check car owner details in Dubai and see more than 2-3 owners for a car thats only 3-4 years old, somethings usually wrong. Cars dont get passed around that much unless theres issues.
I once saw a beautiful Lexus ES that had 5 owners in 3 years. FIVE! Each time I would check car owner details in Dubai for that car, another name popped up. Eventually found out it had a recurring electrical problem no one could fix. Each owner gave up and sold it to the next unlucky person lol.
Checking for Outstanding Fines
This is super important when you check car owner details in Dubai – ALWAYS verify theres no outstanding fines. The law here says fines transfer with the car, not the owner (yeah its weird).
My cousin didnt check this and ended up inheriting 8,000 AED in Salik and speeding fines. The seller had “forgotten” to mention them. Now whenever I check car owner details in Dubai, I specifically ask for a screenshot showing zero balance.
Verifying Bank Loans and Mortgages
Oh man, this is crucial. When you check car owner details in Dubai, you MUST verify theres no active bank loan. I’ve heard horror stories of people buying cars only to have the bank repo them later.
To check car owner details in Dubai for mortgages: look for the bank stamp on the mulkiya, ask for a bank clearance letter, go WITH the seller to their bank to clear the loan before transfer, and never trust verbal promises about “clearing it next week.”
I was once THIS close to buying a Patrol and thank god I insisted on checking the bank status. The seller kept saying “yeah its clear” but refused to show proof. Turned out he still owed like 85,000 AED to the bank fr.
Using Third-Party Inspection Services
After my bad experiences, I started using professional inspection services. Yeah it costs 300-500 AED but when your spending 40,000-50,000 AED on a car?? Its nothing.
These services check car owner details in Dubai, inspect the vehicle mechanically, verify documents, check for accident damage using professional tools. Last car I bought, the inspection service found the odometer had been rolled back. The seller swore it showed real mileage but the service proved otherwise.
Understanding the UAE vehicle registration system is crucial. For comprehensive Dubai number plate information, including verification methods and plate categories, consult official guides.
When to Walk Away
After buying and selling 4 cars in Dubai, here’s when I walk away immediately: seller refuses to meet at official testing centers, price is TOO good (way below market), multiple ownership changes in short time, seller cant explain gaps in service history, your gut says somethings wrong, pressure to decide quickly, or won’t let you check car owner details in Dubai properly.
Just last week I was looking at an Accord Sport. Everything on paper was perfect when I would check car owner details in Dubai. But the seller was SO pushy about closing same day. Kept saying “other buyers are interested.” I said no thanks and left. Found out later the car had water damage from flooding.