Buying a car in Dubai is considered one of the biggest investments that we make. New or used, buying a vehicle comes with additional expenses such as the cost of driving licence renewal or your car insurance renewal. Therefore, these additional expenses should be planned so that they won’t become heavy on your pocket. Whether you are considering buying a used car in Dubai or a new one, keep these additional costs for cars in Dubai in mind and plan your budget accordingly.
List of Additional Expenses of Owning a Car in Dubai
Here is the list of some of the additional expenses of owning a car in Dubai.
Car Registration Cost in Dubai
Whether you are planning to buy a new or used car, car registration is mandatory in Dubai. The cost of car registration in Dubai is AED 420. Other additional expenses vehicle owners may face include:
- Transfer of ownership fee: AED 350
- Vehicle inspection test: AED 170
- Traffic file (if it does not exist): AED 220
- Selling fee: AED 50
- Knowledge & innovation fee: AED 20
Cost of Car Registration Renewal in Dubai
Car owners must renew their registration every year; however, they can get a grace period of a month in case of a delay. After passing the grace period, the additional fee will be charged.
The car registration renewal cost in Dubai includes:
- Renewal fees: AED 380
- Vehicle Technical Inspection charges (if needed): AED 170
- Courier service charges: AED 25
- Late fine: AED 25 (monthly after completing the grace period)
Hence, you need to have AED 575 to AED 600 for car registration renewal in Dubai. The car registration renewal can be done by going to Wasel, Shamil, Mumayaz or Tasjeel. You can also visit the official RTA website, RTA Customer Happiness Centre or download the RTA mobile application: Google Play | Apple Store.
Parking Tickets Cost
Dubai follows an extremely efficient parking system where you need to buy parking tickets on an hourly basis. The car parking in Dubai is divided into different zones – from Zone A to Zone K. Therefore, you need to estimate per day parking cost and add it to your monthly budget.
Salik Cost
Another additional expense of owning a car in Dubai is having Salik. If you are a frequent RTA Salik user, then you will be charged with toll fees of AED 4 each time your car passes through a Salik gate. You need to top up the account otherwise AED 50 will be charged as a penalty. The minimum recharge you can do is AED 50.
You can either call on their toll-free number 800-SALIK (72545) or buy a Salik top-up card from the MPay app or any petrol station in Dubai. Once the Salik credit is low, the SMS subscriber will start receiving the top-up reminder daily. Hence, it is another additional expense car owners should keep in mind while planning a budget. You can also easily check Salik balance by calling on the mentioned toll-free number.
Car Insurance Expense in Dubai
Having car insurance in Dubai is a legal requirement; hence, vehicle owners must renew it after every 12 months. Drivers do get a month extension as a grace period. You can consider the same company or choose other available car insurance companies in Dubai when renewing your car insurance. The cost of car insurance renewal in Dubai is dependent upon the value of your car, the selected policy and the selected car insurance company.
Cost of Quick Fixes and Big Repairs
Even though vehicle owners cannot predict the possible maintenance expenses; having a possible estimation can save you from the last moment expense. For instance, it is illegal to drive a dirty car; therefore, you have to take it for a frequent car wash in Dubai.
The cost of a manual car wash at ENOC station is around AED 53, while the auto wash can cost only AED 37. Besides car wash, car repair and service is also another expense that you might need to keep in mind while making the budget. Usually, the price of a major car service starts from AED 500, while full car service in Dubai costs around AED 350. You can download some popular car services and apps in Dubai to check the best car service deals.
Oil Change Expense
It is recommended that vehicle owners should change engine oil every 10,000 km. So, don’t forget to keep track of its usage and change it when needed. The oil change in Dubai can cost around AED 80 to AED 100; however, the cost can go up to AED 800 if you have a high-end car.
This concludes our guide on additional expenses of owning a car in Dubai. Some expenses such as car insurance, car registration and driving licence renewal are mandatory. Therefore, you can plan them on a prior basis. Also, you can minimise car maintenance expenses by following some simple car maintenance tips and save extra dirhams. However, some car maintenance mistakes can shorten the life of your vehicle such as using low-quality fluid, not cleaning your car and not doing a regular inspection. Avoid these mistakes to avoid unwanted expenses and keep your car running smoothly for a longer run.
If you like this guide, stay tuned to the UAE’s top car blog for more.
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