Buying a used car in Dubai
There are more than 5,750 used cars for sale
in Dubai on LicensePlate.ae, from dealers and from private sellers. Half ask less than about
AED 90,000, and the typical car is a
2022.
That is clearly more than the typical used car across the UAE as a whole: Dubai's market leans towards newer and more expensive cars. If your budget is tight, the cheaper end is still here — it is just a smaller share of what is on offer.
Used cars in Dubai by budget
About a quarter of the cars listed in Dubai ask under AED 50,000. At the
cheapest end — under AED 20,000 — expect older cars with high mileage: small saloons such
as the Sunny, Yaris and Accent, and older SUVs. Budget for an inspection and new tyres on
top of the price, and check the service record before anything else.
The most listed cars in Dubai
Big SUVs dominate what is for sale in Dubai. Each model page lists every one of those
cars across the UAE, and where there is a buying guide it shows the price by model year
and what to check on that particular car.
The number is how many of that make are listed in Dubai; the link opens the make's page
for the whole UAE.
Dealer or private seller
A dealer can usually arrange finance, an inspection report and the transfer for you, and
often a warranty — and prices for that. A private owner is often cheaper and knows the car's
history first-hand, but the checks are yours. Dubai's largest cluster of used-car showrooms
is around Ras Al Khor, if you want to see many cars in one afternoon.
Used cars in Dubai on installments
2,822 adverts in Dubai say the seller can
arrange finance — that is the seller's offer, not a bank approval.
Under UAE Central Bank rules, a bank finances at most 80% of a car's value, over at most five
years. A "0% down payment" offer therefore does not remove the deposit: it is usually covered
another way, built into the price or an insurance and service package. Ask the dealer to
show you the total you will pay, not only the monthly figure.
GCC or imported
4,613 of the cars listed in Dubai are
advertised as GCC specification and 1,162
as imported. A GCC car was built for the heat and
its history is easier to check here; an import is usually cheaper, and needs a VIN
history report before you pay.
How to buy a used car in Dubai, step by step
1. Check the car. Book a pre-purchase inspection at an RTA-approved testing
centre or an independent garage. It costs little against a hidden repair.
2. Check the papers. The chassis number on the registration card (mulkiya)
must match the car. Ask whether there is a bank loan on it — a financed car cannot be
transferred until the bank releases it — and make sure the traffic fines are paid.
3. Insure it in your name. The transfer needs insurance for the new owner.
4. Transfer, then pay. Do the ownership transfer with the seller through the
RTA, and pay when the car is in your name. Never pay a deposit or send money before you have
seen the car and the transfer is under way.
Selling a car in Dubai instead?
That has its own page: how selling works here, and a free valuation of your car first.
Used cars in the other emirates
Common questions
How much is a used car in Dubai?
Half of the used cars listed in Dubai ask less than about
AED 90,000. The budget table above shows how many cars there are in
each price range, from under AED 20,000 upwards.
Can I buy a used car in Dubai with 0 down payment?
Banks in the UAE finance at most 80% of a car's value, so a "0% down payment" offer
covers the deposit another way. Compare the total amount you will pay.
Is it better to buy from a dealer or a private seller in Dubai?
A dealer usually handles finance, inspection and transfer and may give a warranty; a
private seller is often cheaper. With a private sale, the checks are yours.
What documents do I need to buy a used car in Dubai?
Your Emirates ID and driving licence, insurance in your name, and the seller's
registration card. If the car was financed, the bank's release letter.
How do I transfer car ownership in Dubai?
Through the RTA, with the seller, once the car has passed any required test and is
insured in your name. Pay when the transfer is done, not before.
Every figure on this page is read from the adverts listed at the moment you load it and
refreshes through the day. They are asking prices, not recorded sale prices.