The UAE banned the import of 6,500 used cars last year.Here’s Why – News

Used cars are very popular in the country, with a study showing that for every new car sold in the UAE, 3.5 used cars are bought

UAE authorities blocked the import of 6,500 used cars that did not meet the country’s technical requirements and standards in the past year.

The UAE has established an electronic system to regulate the import of used cars. The system, implemented by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) in cooperation with customs authorities and insurance agencies, blocks seven types of vehicles from entering the country, citing safety and sustainability concerns.

Dr Farah Al Zarouni, Assistant Undersecretary for Standards and Regulations at the MoIAT, said in a statement to Khaleej Times that importation of certain used cars is prohibited in the UAE.

“These include vehicles that do not meet registration, licensing and insurance requirements, as well as damaged vehicles and vehicles with manufacturing defects. The Ministry’s smart search engine verifies used vehicles, providing a reliable and easily accessible database that is linked to the country of origin of the vehicles government database,” she said.

Over the past 12 months, the UAE has imported 35,000 used cars that meet safety and environmental requirements, the official said.

“The Department is committed to supporting high levels of consumer confidence and protecting them from products that may be unsafe or harmful to the environment,” she said.

Dr Al Zarouni called on consumers to check the status and validity of the used cars they wish to import before starting the process. This can be done through the Ministry’s website. “All they need to do is enter the identification number of the vehicle and the system will show whether the vehicle is allowed to enter the country,” the official added.

Used cars are very popular in the UAE. According to a study conducted by Frost & Sullivan, 3.5 used cars are bought for every new car sold in the country. By 2025, this ratio is expected to reach 2.5.

In its Used Car Market Insights UAE H1 2022 report, used car e-commerce platform Cars24 said global used car sales are expected to reach $2.67 trillion by 2030. The world, now worth $14 billion, is expected to grow rapidly to $20.5 billion by 2025. “