Five Tips for Buying an Affordable Car

Owning a vehicle has become a necessity for many people, especially if they live in Dubai. The joys of private transport are too many to mention in this post, one of which is that private mode of transportation makes life easier. 

Some people want to upgrade their beat-up clunker to a fancy new ride with the latest features, while others look for affordable used cars. Whether you want to use a car for a leisurely drive or use it to get to work and fulfill family needs, here are some tips for buying an affordable ride in Dubai: 

1) Personally inspect the vehicle and trust your guts.

I can't stress this enough. Don't rely on pictures when buying a used car, even a new car, for that matter. New rides might disappoint you if they don't meet your expectations regarding performance or features, especially interior specifications. On the other hand, personally inspecting a used car means that you thoroughly look for signs of excessive wear, tear, deterioration, and if any part is broken, scratched, dented, nicked, looks suspicious, or needs to be fixed. 

When you inspect the car, take a good look at its interior. What is its condition? Does it show signs of graceful aging, or does the interior have grimy, stained, or torn seats with buttons that don't work? Better find a clean car with an interior that has been well taken care of than buying one that has seen better days. Trust your instincts. They're there for a reason. 

2) Don't bother visiting the dealership if you don't have your bank loan preapproved first.  

Avoid making this mistake. Before you even set foot into the used car market, check your finances first. After doing some window shopping online to find your favorite ride, visit the dealership if you have the cash ready. However, if you're going down the financing route, you need to contact your bank first to get preapproval for a car loan. This can save you a lot of time and headaches as you'll understand how much you can afford. 

You'll also know more about your creditworthiness and its underlying interest rate, and whether the bank will agree to approve your loan in the first place. So check with your bank first before closing any deals and ask for the best interest rate possible from your bank. Never approach unknown lending or credit institutions online as they may be fraudsters trying to prey on unsuspecting buyers. 

3) Check the vehicle's service history. 

If possible, ask for the vehicle's service history. This is where approved pre-owned cars shine since they have a clean service record that can show you all the servicing done. However, keep in mind that they may be more expensive than other, non-approved, used cars. 

4) Get a Technical Vehicle Status Certificate

If you're purchasing a car in Dubai, we recommend obtaining a Technical Vehicle Status Certificate and a comprehensive inspection report from RTA through Tasjeel. This can help prevent nasty surprises when buying a used car such as faulty or flood-damaged vehicles. 

Tasjeel offers a "Comprehensive Vehicle Test," which can give you peace of mind when buying a pre-owned or used car. The comprehensive test consists of a detailed vehicle electrical and mechanical inspection followed by a road test to make sure the vehicle is safe to drive. In fact, the test is divided as follows: 

Chassis and Radiator Test (CCM): 250 Dhs

Comprehensive Inspection: 350 Dhs 

Total: 600 Dhs 

According to Tasjeel, testing for specific luxury or supercar/ exotic car models may not be available, such as Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, Maserati, some Range Rover models, and all electric vehicles. Moreover, testing is only available for GCC cars. The inspectors will thoroughly evaluate the car and advise you of any defects that may need addressing before buying that used car, which can be an expensive surprise otherwise. As a bonus, Tasjeel also has an Auto Repair shop that can fix minor issues on the go, which can save you time. Ask the dealer to fix any problems before buying the car, if possible. 

5) Get Good Insurance

The next step is to get your car insurance renewed. Your car insurance is directly connected to RTA's system, so it'll be updated automatically on their system once you renew it with the insurance company. Always have a digital copy of your Motor Renewal Policy Schedule and read the Policy Handbook to understand your insurance policy and its coverage. 

Remember this: 

Don't skimp on car insurance. Cheaper doesn't necessarily mean better. 

Many drivers may not realize this: If you don't have proper car insurance, you may suffer in the long run. So whether you're going for comprehensive insurance or third-party car insurance, don't let cheaper insurance rates fool you. Instead, get your car insurance from a reputable insurance company to avoid problems in the future, or at least from a company with good benefits. 

For instance, reputable insurance companies can provide you with 24/7 roadside assistance and recovery services as well as car loss or damage compensation to your vehicle, including personal belongings. Additional benefits may include the option to repair your vehicle at the agency/ dealership or with reputable garages affiliated with the insurance company's network. Some policies also provide replacement cars if your car is being repaired and free pick-up and drop-off when your vehicle is in service. Overall, the systems, processes, and customer service associated with reputable insurance companies will give you peace of mind and convenience whenever you need it.