How Tos

Selling a vehicle

Most expats sell their car before leaving Abu Dhabi. If you love your vehicle and can’t bear to be parted from it, you could consider shipping it to your next destination. See Exporting a vehicle in the Driving chapter. But, unless that’s within the GCC, the cost and red tape is likely to be a barrier. 

You can choose to make a private sale using dubizzle.com, noticeboards at supermarkets, or classified ads in Gulf News, Khaleej Times etc. Do not put a ‘for sale’ sign in the vehicle window as this is illegal and will be impounded. If time is limited sell to a dealer, visit sellanycar.com, or sell at an auction such as goldenbellauctions.com.

What To Bring

  • Vehicle registration card (original)
  • No objection certificate (NOC) from the finance company (if applicable) 

Prerequisites

  • Pay all existing DoT fines before sale; if you do not, these fines will show up when you come to transfer the vehicle registration to the new owner
  • Pay off any outstanding loan on the vehicle and request written confirmation from the bank; this can take up to 10 days
  • The vehicle will need to be tested if the registration is due to expire; see Testing a vehicle in the Driving chapter

Procedure

Transfer registration

  • Cancel vehicle insurance
  • Only accept cash payment from the buyer; cheques can bounce
  • Accompany the new buyer to a vehicle licensing centre or the Traffic Police Headquarters. At the typing booth, the clerk will fill out the vehicle permit application form for the new buyer 
  • Submit documents at the registration counter where a check for outstanding fines will be run; you must pay all outstanding fines before proceeding 
  • Buyer submits proof of insurance, Resident ID, UAE driving licence and passport with residence visa, and pays Dhs.100 fee for transfer of registration (or Dhs.320 if it is a new registration)
  • The new registration card is issued within 10 minutes. Keep a copy of this card with the new owner’s name on it as proof for the insurance company of transferred ownership

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