The right approach to buying a new car can save you substantial amounts of time, money, and hassle. Your best car-buying experiences in the UAE will result from the research you do before visiting a car dealer.
Here are some great tips on getting the most suitable new car at the best possible price.
We believe that these new car-buying tips will make your UAE car showroom experience much more pleasant and help you get a better deal.
Are you planning to buy a new car in the UAE? Buying a new car can be a very rewarding and memorable experience, provided you do thorough research before stepping into your local car showroom.
Please do your homework and ensure you have all the necessary knowledge before visiting a car dealer to negotiate well and select the perfect car for you and your family.
The above reveals the purpose of this guide. This guide has been structured to assist individuals or families contemplating buying a motor vehicle.
The guide contains information on automobile basics to assist potential car buyers in answering practical questions and making better decisions.
Upon digesting the material, we aim to assist you in deciding wisely when it becomes necessary for you to be a car owner.
The guide covers questions posed by potential car owners or their relatives and well-wishers. The target readers include a broad group of single men and women contemplating owning a luxury, subcompact, compact, medium-sized, or luxury car, singles remaining in the big cities, and/or parents buying a car for the newly wedded.
The guide also includes a section for individuals buying a car for the only time as parenting expands their financial commitment.
Potential car owners of off-road or recreational vehicles also include a section on what to consider before purchasing.
Finally, the guide includes a section on considerations for “whiz” car buyers who believe they know everything about owning an automobile.
One of the hallmarks of the postmodern world is the ease with which things are done, which underscores the choices available to the consumer.
With the many and varied automotive vehicle options available in the UAE, consumers now face another dilemma of choice.
Deciding on the type of vehicle you should buy depends on your lifestyle, the size of your family, the decision on manual or automatic, car leasing or financing, target car, desired options, specific model and make, and budget.
When facing several choices for your next car, consult and understand the criteria, tips, and techniques covered in this guide to assist your decision-making process.
A few minutes spent reviewing this guide will either connect you with your desired car or assist you in zeroing in on the car that will complement your needs.
Automatic or manual transmission: Although manual transmissions are less expensive and better on fuel, driving in stop-go traffic while in rush hour can make the car-shift experience less than agreeable.
These days, cars with automatic and automatic manual transmissions have better fuel economy than before and are also pleasant and responsive if the ratios are high.
How many people and gear you carry: Consider the type of cargo you will regularly carry—how many people need to be comfortable—and estimate the number of seats and luggage space you will need.
If you have children, consider child-seat regulations: Not all cars suit all child seats.
Before you start shopping for a car, take a hard look at your lifestyle. The car you choose should fit your budget and your lifestyle.
That means understanding which type of car, crossover, or SUV will best fit your needs. What do you need the car to do? Will it be a family car for carrying kids to school and sports or a weekend car for trips to the beach or grocery stores? You should also consider the following factors:
On the topic of loans, you must determine how much you can afford to pay in cash versus how much you want to take out a car loan.
Some buyers might prefer to pay a larger proportion of the car’s cost through their funds, whether due to being adverse to loans or budget constraints.
Although your options will be less extensive with a car loan, all banks offer some form of vehicle financing.
When deciding whether or not to take out a car loan, it’s helpful to know what kind of car (and, therefore, the approximate cost) you are looking at.
As with any type of purchase, you need to first determine how much you can afford. It’s important to remember the other expenses associated with owning a car.
Fuel, maintenance, insurance, and registration are important expenses to consider in addition to any monthly repayments you intend to make.
As a general rule of thumb, it is best to keep your monthly repayments below 15 percent of your monthly salary.
This plays it safe with other costs in mind and doesn’t leave you in a difficult situation should emergency expenses occur.
Are you going to be going off-road a lot? Most families do a lot of ‘off-roading’, but the version involves initially loading up the car and then heading off-tarmac to find a deserted picnic area for the day.
But if you also love the desert or regularly encounter farm tracks on weekends away, you might need a car with specific off-road ability.
Once you have identified your requirements, consider aspects like style, size, and capabilities. When you’re clear about this, you can easily proceed with the next steps with ease.
You need to figure out exactly what your requirements are. Consider things like passenger capacity – do you need a car that can transport five people? Seven? Are you over 60?
In that case, you might want a car that’s easy to get in and out of but with the perfect size, not too bulky or small.
Is performance a factor? Do you do a lot of long-distance driving, or will most of your journeys be relatively short?
If you’re going to be doing a lot of city driving, you might not be too bothered about how well the car performs on the open road.
Head out to look at new cars with a list of criteria that you need the car to fill. Allocate some of these items as negotiable and others as non-negotiable and use that to guide you toward your final choice.
Once you have narrowed your list, please review different sources of information, such as websites and magazines, read reviews, and read the details of the key elements, such as improvements and specifications.
However, note that various critics might be influenced, and their relations with a particular car manufacturer never totally disregard autonomous evaluations.
In addition, be selective when visiting websites that offer automobile deals and test established car dealers.
You may negotiate a better purchase with a car brand dealer using these tips!
Use the Internet to simultaneously compare and contrast the features of similar car models. Avoid wishy-washy decisions and ensure that the information is applied specifically to your needs.
Family dimensions are important in the UAE where a trade in the family car for a luxury or sports car is often encouraged. Long road trips and leisurely excursions make room for an essential car design feature in these instances. In the final multi-material selection and pick.
A little research for the dream car would not hurt anybody! You must have a list of car models that you are dedicated to.
The price of the vehicle mainly depends on the number of advanced features added to it and the space it provides.
Before considering car specifics at the dealer’s, understand car size, transmission, and driving system preferences.
Start by specifying your core target list to compare various models. Look at the car’s speed, gasoline requirements, and safety features that may benefit you and your family.
Names like “Superspeed Air-Condition”, “Flex-Fuel Injection”, “Superbuy Stereo” and “Supersafe,” “Leading the class in Styling, Performance, and Safety…”
These features are extensive, so comparing all of them is physically impossible, as no two cars listed have the same features, specs, or price.
You will not be able to compare the vast amount of varying information by inspecting the cars at the showroom.
You can, however, save your precious time by researching the competing car models at home, gathering their specification data, and sorting it into detailed Speed Comparison Tables.
When you finish taking into account every detail of the car in these tables, you will have a clearer picture of which car offers more for the same price (by comparing components like fuel capabilities, dimensions, capacity, performance, and safety features to the price) and which car is the least.
Comparing features and specifications can be time-consuming, but it is essential when buying a new car. It provides you with what it is that makes each car unique and gives you the necessary knowledge to negotiate a better deal.
What Are Speed Comparison Tables? Go to a car showroom and stand in front of the range of cars available.
Take a good look and compare! You see cars priced similarly as they sit side by side and look very similar, but each is built differently and has unique strengths and weaknesses.
What makes each car unique is its features or specifications—things such as size, weight, and technology (all at a certain price, of course).
The salesman will always make his statement about the car you are interested in: the technology it uses, safety features, comfort and convenience features, more power, more performance, and simply why their car is better than the competition.
Their car is better and more in demand. There is nothing wrong with it; lots of people drive it. You are getting a fantastic deal, or perhaps you should reserve it as it is the last unit left.
What to Know: Each new model out there is trying to convince you why you should buy it instead of the competition.
In doing that, they will tell you their features and what the competition doesn’t. They will use words and phrases such as “innovative new”, “first in the region”, “improved”, “better than ever” and “top of the line”.
While this is often true, the easiest way to get through the hype (and to “what’s the real difference if I buy this model over the other?”) is to group similarly priced models and compare their specifications.
When you finally sit down with a sales agent, this comparison of specifications for cars in a similar price range will provide you with the details of which car offers you more and which is the most balanced between price, space, specification, and image.
Always remember to keep in mind the price, size, features, equipment, fuel consumption, price, and, of course, the legendary resale value.
After you have a good idea of what you want and how much you want to (or can) spend, the next step is to do some research on the cars that best suit your needs.
One must be wary of shady dealers and con artists looking to profit quickly at the customer’s expense.
Used car swindlers’ favorite tricks to entice potential buyers include altering the car’s odometer reading, not listing a price for repair jobs, and misrepresenting potential repair jobs as merely “simple” routine maintenance work.
Always do some online research and ask for feedback from previous car buyers, which can offer extra peace of mind.
One of the primary roles in the used car buying process is finding a reputable dealer. Many consumers automatically assume that large, high-profile used car dealers offer the best deals, but this isn’t always the case.
It is, for sure, a buyer’s market, especially when the going has been rough and if the dealer is still sitting on a stockpile of cars. If there is any doubt, bargain.
Never discuss the actual price of the car as a first move; several of the other dealers in the area could offer large incentives to the dealer to sell more cars.
If the dealer is offered a greater sum or receives substantial support for selling a particular model, they might just sell you that car instead – instead of the car you would like to buy. Don’t be afraid to ask about dealership incentives.
If you have any doubts about the capability or credibility of a dealer, ask for the contact number of a few old customers and give them a call.
Ask about their experiences with the dealer, general company dealings, and the resultant rapport.
Find out if there were any favorably resolved disputes, even after a while. You can also look online to check reviews and research a dealer’s credibility.
Do a bit, and you will find a reputed and reliable dealer. When buying a new car from a dealer, your defense against overpaying is getting a good deal… the right one is of primary importance.
Quality car dealers can be spotted by their outstanding reputation within the market. You can usually tell how good a dealer is by speaking to a few regular customers.
Don’t hesitate to ask; if an influential friend vouchs for you, you will likely be treated like royalty.
The car dealer values both the goodwill in the market and the appreciation of customers. Get your friend to recommend you and give the salesman credit so you are well cared for.
Ask the caretaker if there are test-drive restrictions, if applicable, and for the necessary identification and driving license that you have to leave with them.
If an issue is present or a bigger issue develops later on, it may be handy to positively remember the person and establish rapport with the people in the showrooms.
After all, these are the people you will negotiate with and deal with. The test drive should be taken seriously.
Given the variables, an approximate performance can already be gauged. There may be test-drive restrictions or limitations.
Normally, such time and distance limitations are related to certain vehicle types and demand, and thus, they are affordable opportunity costs.
Conversely, if vehicles are not allowed to be used for an unreasonably long time or distance, say 5 hours, then the vehicle’s popularity must be high to justify not having test drives available for a long period.
Once you have gathered all the information you need and have shortlisted the specific vehicle you want to purchase, the next step is to visit vehicle showrooms.
Newer vehicles in the UAE are typically available only at brand dealers’ showrooms. You can count on and research them through online sources, but the best way to get an actual feel for the car and appreciate it is to visit the showrooms.
This allows you to inspect everything about the car, including its upholstery, built-in features, and roominess.
If your shortlist involves local brand distributors, again, the best way to check the specifications or qualities of the vehicle is to visit the distributor’s location or showroom.
If you are not knowledgeable about cars, it might also help to ask questions from the salespeople inside the showrooms.
Then, test drive the vehicle. This is also a way to compare the vehicle you would like to purchase with the alternatives available on the market.
You have to set aside time to be able to properly visit and have the time and opportunity to sit inside or even drive the vehicle.
Finalizing the Purchase If buying from a dealer, Ensure the dealer has authorized warranty service points. Check and make sure the vehicle does not have recalls. Ask about the dealer’s return policy. Still interested? Finalize your decision and make payment arrangements.
If buying from an individual, Complete the contract and, while at the DMV processing the title, check to see whether the vehicle has liens. Close it: When meeting to finalize the details of the purchase, plan to go near the end of the day on a weekday (Saturday is generally the busiest day) and have at least 2 or 3 hours.
Start the session by saying: I want to purchase – after we’ve settled on the price, please start dealing with the items on my list. There must be other things in your life that are more important than the time you are about to spend.
If I see looks of despair, you have not been well prepared – which may cause you to walk and start over. If everything looks in order, sit tight and proceed.
The Basics of Sales Agreements When it comes time to negotiate with the seller, you need to understand the basics of sales agreements.
What would cause you to walk out on a deal? Most people would answer that someone would change the ‘go’ terms.
These are the conditions that should exist before a sales agreement is up and running:
As the buyer, you have the absolute right to demand and receive the title before paying for the vehicle.
You have done extensive research, comparing various models in terms of safety, performance, features, and costs, and test-driving several vehicles to narrow down your choices.
Now is the time to finalize the deal. Given that a vehicle purchase is a significant investment, and a lack of information can result in a costly mistake, you must ensure that you are well-prepared to close the deal to acquire a vehicle – before you sign the contract.
The added service may look redundant at first for having an extended warranty for a long period, but the pros highly outweigh the cons.
It will, in effect, push the vehicle’s sale price. If the dealer had marked down this price instead of the service, you would’ve probably lost the opportunity for a better deal.
Always remember to haggle, haggle, haggle. See if the seller has a current promotion if it is going out of business if new models are coming, or if there are any special sales rep promos. It all makes a difference.
Always haggle the price. In the Middle East, it’s a seller’s market, and you’ll likely find a dozen more vehicles similar to the one you’re getting, giving you more competition and negotiating power.
Sellers usually keep extensive margins from 5,000 up to a staggering 10,000 on some models of cars.
The terms of a warranty can affect a car’s cost of operation. An engine warranty that is only for 3 years or 100,000 kilometers (whichever you reach first) might make a used car a poor choice compared to a 5-year warranty.
For example, many used Range Rovers are available in the UAE at car dealerships. If the engine warranty has expired and you experience oil leaks or engine failure, the cost to repair might be the difference between a low-mileage new car with a full warranty. Similarly, interior and electronics warranty benefits can be costly if they expire.
New cars typically have a warranty period of a few years and up to a certain mileage. The service interval is also tied to the warranty terms and must be met for warranty coverage.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to navigating the process of buying a new car in the UAE, along with some additional factors to consider:
The Buying Process: Research and Choose: Do your homework! Explore car models online and at dealerships to find the one that suits your needs, budget, and lifestyle. Consider factors like fuel efficiency, safety ratings, and features.
Financing: Decide if you’ll pay in cash or opt for a car loan. Explore loan options from banks or dealerships, comparing interest rates and terms. Remember, a down payment of at least 20% is usually required.
Negotiate and Test Drive: Don’t hesitate to negotiate the price with the dealership. Once you’ve agreed, book a test drive to ensure the car meets your expectations.
Documents and Insurance: Prepare the necessary documents like your residence visa, passport, Emirates ID, and a valid UAE driving license. Arrange car insurance before taking possession, as it’s mandatory in the UAE.
Registration and Plates: The dealership can usually assist with car registration. You’ll pay registration fees and receive license plates.
Dubai offers various car brands and dealerships, making it a good place to find your desired car. However, consider these factors:
Cost of Living: Cars in the UAE are generally not cheap.
Fuel Efficiency: Gas prices can fluctuate, so consider fuel efficiency if you plan on driving frequently.
Alternatives: Dubai has a well-developed public transport system, which might be a cost-effective option depending on your needs.
Yes, foreigners with a valid residence visa and a UAE driving license can buy cars in Dubai. The process is similar to residents.
There are no direct taxes on buying a new car in the UAE. However, you will pay registration fees and annual licensing fees.
