Buying from a dealer
Car dealers have not always enjoyed a positive image, but the dealers of today are more professional and in the vast majority of cases you can buy with complete confidence. The new and used car markets are extremely competitive. While there are always bargains to be had, and negotiating for a good deal is always advisable, the margins available to dealers in most new and used cars have fallen significantly over the last few years so to avoid disappointment be realistic in your expectations.

Buying privately
Buying a car privately can get you a bargain but it comes with certain risks. Private sellers don't have the same overheads or legal obligations to prepare and valet car and generally they don't offer a warranty. This means they can usually offer a car at a lower price than a dealer. On the other hand you need to watch out for unscrupulous sellers and be sure you're not buying from someone who is trying to sell sub-standard or stolen cars. As long as you do your homework, buying a car privately can be more financially rewarding, but you must be prepared to put in a bit more effort.

Contacting the private seller
Private sellers are under no obligation to reveal a car's history. Nor do they have to provide proof of any checks. It's up to the buyer to find out about a car's past. This can be time-consuming, but one of the most straightforward ways to shorten the process is to telephone the seller and ask the following questions:

• How long have you owned the car?
• Have you owned it from new? If not, how many previous owners has it had?
• Why are you selling it?
• What condition is it in?
• What is the mileage?
• What features does the car have?
• Is there an outstanding finance or hire purchase agreement?
• Does the car come with service records, repair bills etc?
• Has the car been involved in an accident? If so, what was the extent of damage? Which parts were damaged? Where was it repaired? Are the repairs guaranteed?
• Have you replaced anything on the car recently? Has it been modified in any way?
• Are you open to negotiation - reasonable and fair offers?

Do's & Don'ts:

• Do not agree to meet the seller in neutral location, such as a public car park.
• The seller should be prepared for you to know where he or she lives in case you have reason to contact them in the future.
  
• A seller should be prepared to give you a land-line telephone number as well as a mobile phone number.
  
• Do not mistake a private sale for a dealer. If when you ask whether the car is still for sale the answer is "Which one?" the chances are you're talking to someone with more than one car to sell - a dealer of some description.
  
• Some unscrupulous dealers sell dodgy cars in false private sales to try to get out of repairing them and to avoid legal obligations towards the safety and general condition of the car.

Could it be stolen?
If you buy a vehicle privately and it's later identified as stolen you could have no legal right to ownership. Below are some tips to help you avoid a very costly mistake.

• View the vehicle at the address shown on the registration document.
• Ask the seller for proof of identity - make sure the person selling the vehicle has the right to do so.
  
• Never buy a vehicle without a registration documents.
  
• Check that the vehicle identification number (VIN), usually be found on a metal plate under the bonnet, corresponds with the number on the registration document. If the VIN plate has been removed ask why?
  
• Ensure you get a landline number from the seller, not just a mobile number.
  
• Check all the locks on the car are the same.
  
• Check that the mileage reading corresponds with the service history and past owners.
  
• Find out if the vehicle has been seriously damaged, recorded as stolen, or is subject to outstanding finance.
  

Help us to help you
There are unscrupulous dealers who pretend to be private sellers to avoid their legal obligations. They might also be using it as a way to dispose of faulty or overpriced vehicles. Our policy at autofinderuae.com is not to accept private advertisements from traders.

If, on your search, you come across such a dealer advertising as a private seller email us and we will take appropriate action.

Company cars
Is it worth having a company car? It depends on what sort of motoring you do and what the arrangements are with your employer for private use and paying for the car. If you use the car socially - going out, taking the kids to school, driving to and from work and so on - How you actually pay for the car, whether it's a lump sum or you make capital contributions

• How much the car costs, including any extras
• Whether you pay your employer for private use of the car
• Whether the car will be yours for the whole year
• What type of fuel the car runs on and the level of CO2 emissions
  

The notes above are specifically written by the experts in our team to help you make the right decision when purchasing an auto, the advice provided is for guidance only and should not be confused with any laws in and around United Arab Emirates.