How much does a pre-purchase inspection cost in the UAE?

Typically AED 350 to AED 800 depending on the car and how detailed the inspection is. Luxury and SUV inspections cost more.

Can the garage come to the seller's location?

Many inspection garages offer mobile inspections, or you take the car to them. Comparing a few options helps you find one near the seller.

What is the biggest risk with UAE used cars?

Hidden accident repair and heat-related wear (AC, cooling, battery). A thorough PPI focuses on exactly these areas.

Used Car Inspection Checklist Before You Buy (UAE)

The UAE used-car market is huge and mostly fair, but accident-repaired and flood-damaged cars do circulate. A proper pre-purchase inspection (PPI) is the cheapest insurance you can buy before handing over money.

Exterior and bodywork

Even paint thickness and colour match across panels
Consistent panel gaps (uneven gaps suggest accident repair)
No overspray on rubber seals or trim
Tyres: matching brand, even wear, manufacture date within ~5 years
Windscreen chips and headlight clarity

Engine and under the bonnet

No oil or coolant leaks, no milky oil (head-gasket sign)
Cold start: no excessive smoke, no warning lights staying on
Belts and hoses not cracked or perished by heat
Battery age and terminals
Service stickers and history that match the odometer

AC, cooling and electronics

In the UAE these matter more than almost anything else.

AC reaches cold quickly and holds it at idle
Radiator and cooling fans run correctly
All windows, mirrors, sensors, cameras and infotainment work
No dashboard warning lights after start-up

Paperwork and history

Chassis (VIN) matches the registration card (Mulkiya)
No outstanding loan, mortgage, or traffic fines
Genuine service records
Accident/insurance history where available
Valid registration and a recent passing test if due

Why pay for an independent inspection

A AED 350 to AED 800 inspection can reveal a AED 10,000 problem — a tired gearbox, hidden accident damage, or a failing compressor. An independent inspector has no stake in the sale, so the report is honest.