The used car market is pretty popular in Dubai, owing to a huge variety of second-hand vehicles available in an economical price range. Most of these cars are really well-kept.
However, unlike brand-new vehicles, it is the buyer’s responsibility to register the used vehicle and not that of the previous owner or dealer. Thus be mindful of this legality when going for a used car.
Important Documents Required for Used Car Registration in Dubai
Buyers need the following documents for used car’s registration in Dubai:
- Original Emirates ID
- Vehicle insurance policy – the buyer needs to buy one for the car in advance. You can purchase an insurance policy for the car you are about to buy at one of the RTA authorised centres, or you could even purchase them online. Either way, having insurance is mandatory before buying.
- Valid driving license
If you are selling your used car to a new owner you need to have:
- Original Emirates ID
- The original car license plate
- Car registration card – if you’re selling on someone else’s behalf, you’ll need an attested Power of Attorney to transfer ownership
- Traffic file – the seller needs to clear all pending Salik and traffic fines. The new owner shouldn’t be handed over a number plate with fines associated. New owners can check for these fines by logging on to the Dubai traffic police website or with the help of RTA smartphone apps.
- RTA mandatory test – The second-hand car about to be sold has to clear the mandatory RTA vehicle test. After this test is cleared successfully, the vehicle traffic inspection certificate is issued and is handed over to the buyer.
- Mulkiya (Old vehicle license)
How to Register a Used Car in Dubai?
After a deal is finalized for a used car, the buyer and seller of that vehicle need to go to any local authorized centres of RTA in Dubai. For instance, you can go to Tasjeel, Shamil, Mumayaz, to name a few centres. The used car intended to be sold will be inspected at the centre.
Once the vehicle inspection is done, and there are no outstanding dues on the car, RTA will transfer the ownership of the used car to the new buyer. Subsequently, the registration process begins. After the buyer pays the necessary fee, they will receive vehicle expiry stickers, licence of the car, new vehicle number plates and a new registration card.
If you don’t have time to sell your used car, you can use the RTA Personal Appearance Service. Just go to your nearest RTA service centre once and give them complete personal information for registration. You will then receive a PIN on your registered cell phone number.
This PIN can be used by anyone trusted by you to register your car and deal with other matters relating to your vehicle.
Important Considerations for Used Car Buyers
- The buyer has to sign a sale and purchase agreement, clearly stating the price of the vehicle, its description and car mileage to receive an agreement from RTA.
- The vehicle being sold must not have any outstanding dues.
- Once cleared, the new owner pays the transfer fees.
- RTA transfers the car’s ownership from the buyer to the seller.
- The buyer of the used vehicle receives the vehicle license, number plate and car expiry sticker after the car has been transferred in their name, following the necessary payments.
Important Considerations for Used Car Sellers
- Please keep in mind that the registration process will not commence if the seller has not cleared outstanding loans.
- If you bought your vehicle with a car loan in Dubai or any other emirate, you must clear the outstanding amount before transferring ownership of your vehicle to the new buyer.
- In case the car has no loans outstanding, RTA prints the new Mulkiya or car registration card with the new owner’s name.
- The seller is supposed to send copies of the new Mulkiya to their insurance and finance companies to confirm the vehicle’s sale.
Used Car Registration Fee in Dubai
- The car registration fee for a second-hand light vehicle = AED 420
- Fee for transferring ownership = AED 350
- Vehicle mechanical inspection fee = AED 170
- Traffic file opening fee (if it wasn’t opened earlier) = AED 220
- Knowledge or innovation fee = AED 20
By now you must be clear about the process of getting a used car registered in Dubai. Besides, if you wish to buy a second-hand vehicle online, here is a list of used cars in Dubai for sale.
FAQs
How long will it take to transfer the ownership after the payment is made?
After the payment is made, it generally takes ten minutes or less to transfer the vehicle to the new buyer’s name.
What are the documents needed during the transfer?
For a seller, the required documents include Original EID or original Passport or Drivers License. For a buyer, an original EID is needed for registration and export inside the country. As for exporting outside of the country, a passport copy and/or EID copy is required.
Does a used car in Dubai need to pass the inspection test before being sold?
Yes, this is mandatory by the RTA. Without passing the vehicle technical inspection report, your car is not deemed fit for driving and hence cannot be sold.
What is the car registration fee for a used car in Dubai?
The car registration fee for a used car in Dubai is AED 420.
Is it necessary to have an insurance during the transfer process?
For registration and/or exporting with plates, insurance is necessary. However, for export without plates or Heyaza, insurance is not required.
Do the buyer and seller need to be present in RTA during the transfer of ownership?
For registration, the buyer and seller have to be present. For export and Heyaza only the seller has to be present. Whereas, if POA is signed for the buyer or the seller, only the POA will be required to be present from that side. For new used-car owners, it is necessary to obtain a vehicle ownership transfer certificate in Dubai before they drive their car in the Emiate.
What is Heyaza?
Heyaza is an Islamic Finance term. It is the act of holding an object in the form of an asset, commodity or currency and retaining it for yourself with the intention to possess it.
What is POA? When is it needed and what is the process?
POA is a short version of “Power of Attorney”. If the seller is leaving the country or they won’t be able to be present during the transfer process, POA is required to transfer the car without the seller’s presence at that moment. POA can be dubizzle or any person that can be present for the transfer process.
That is all about registering a used car in Dubai. Your car registration also needs renewal. Make sure you go through all necessary steps required for car registration renewal in Dubai.
Stay tuned to the UAE’s top car blog for more on car registrations and other car legalities.
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