March 16, 2025

What Documents Do You Need When Buying a Used Car in Dubai?

What Documents Do You Need When Buying a Used Car in Dubai?

What Documents Do You Need When Buying a Used Car in Dubai?

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Dubai boasts of a gigantic used car market with various types and prices of vehicles. A Bentley for sale in Dubai is good both for an expat and for a resident, since having your vehicle is most often more convenient than depending on public transport in this city. However, buying a used car in Dubai has a procedure that includes some documentation by both the buyer and the seller. Knowing what documents are required for the transaction will ensure that everything runs smoothly and save any legal headaches down the line.

List of Required Documents of Used Car Purchase Dubai

The following is the step-by-step key document requirement while buying any used car in Dubai:

1. Your Emirates ID

An Emirates ID is among the most imperative documents necessary for the purchase of a used car in Dubai. It will be your official identification within the UAE and is compulsorily required to be produced in order to complete procedures relating to transferring ownership, car registration, and concluding the sale of the vehicle in your name. Just make sure that your Emirates ID is up to date before initiating a purchase.

Instead of an Emirates ID, a copy of the passport with a residence visa might be required for expats, but having an Emirates ID will undoubtedly ease things. Go to OneClickDrive for a seamless used car buying experience.

2. Proof of Residency

You will also be required to provide proof of residency when purchasing your home in Dubai if you are a foreign national. This could be your residence visa or even a tenant agreement or utility bill showing your Dubai address. It is very important, especially when buying from a private seller since it will be registered at your legal Dubai address.

3. Valid Driving License

You will need a valid UAE driving license in order to buy a used car in Dubai. Be it a dealer or a private seller, you are required to prove that you are legally allowed to drive in the UAE. If you have a valid foreign license, you will have to transfer the license to UAE before the change of ownership could be affected. In most countries, a driving permit is accepted for a few months. It’s always better to check with the seller or the dealer, though.

4. Car’s Registration Card (Mulkiya)

The Mulkiya: this is the common name for the registration card, which proves that a vehicle is registered legally in Dubai. It contains all details, including the VIN, make, model, color, and the expiry date of the registration. In the case of a second-hand purchase, the seller has to give you the original Mulkiya so that the vehicle can be transferred into your name legally.

If the seller does not have the registration card or it has been lost, then this will need to be notified to the RTA (Roads and Transport Authority) and the registration of the car will have to be renewed before the sale can be transacted.

5. No Objection Certificate (NOC)

If you buy a second hand luxury car in Dubai or any used car you’re buying has an outstanding loan or any financial obligations, the seller will need to provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the bank or financing institution. This document confirms that there are no remaining debts on the vehicle and that it’s free of any encumbrances.

When financed, a seller must pay the outstanding and obtain a NOC, where the NOC is guaranteed in case a buyer wants that the sale takes place. Hence, the car shall not be subjected to any potential litigation from the past.

6. Insurance Policy

Dubai has an insurance policy mandate for vehicles. If you want to sell, then you need to prove that you have insurance before the transfer of ownership. The policy has to be in force at the time of sale, and the vehicle cannot be registered until active insurance coverage is in place. So, if you are purchasing a used car, arrange your insurance first, so as soon as possible after purchase, you have your car registered.

For a hassle-free experience buying a used car in Dubai, one needs to have all necessary documents ready, such as an Emirates ID, proof of residence, valid driving license, among other required documents. If the vehicle has outstanding loan/finance, get a No Objection Certificate (NOC). By being prepared and understanding the documentation process, you’ll be able to confidently purchase a used car in Dubai and hit the road in no time.

author avatar
Bernard - Side-Line Staff Chief editor
Bernard Van Isacker is the Chief Editor of Side-Line Magazine. With a career spanning more than two decades, Van Isacker has established himself as a respected figure in the darkwave scene.

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