How to Check Car Accident History in the UAE

Introduction

The second-hand car market in cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah is sought-after. As a buyer, you can access a vast range of vehicles, from budget-friendly sedans to high-end luxury models.

However, buying a used car in the UAE can be risky for beginners. One of the most important risks is buying a used car with an accident history!

Before you close the deal, you should check the car’s accident history to avoid buying an unsafe car.

A car’s accident record is crucial in determining its safety, performance, and long-term value. Please don’t judge the book by its cover. Even if a vehicle looks great on the outside, past damage can cause later issues and expensive repairs.

In this blog post, we’ll explain why accident history matters, what documents and information you need, and how to check a car’s accident history using official accident records in the UAE.

Also, we’ll provide smart tips for buying a used car with confidence and make sure that it’ll work properly for years.

Why You Should Check a Car’s Accident History

First, let’s see why you must check the used cars’ accident history in the UAE:

1. Your Safety Comes First

Serious accidents might cause structural damage, even if the car looks fine on the outside.

Particularly, damage to the chassis, airbag system, or crumple zones can put your family’s life in danger in future collisions. By checking the accident history, you’ll make sure that there are no safety issues with your car.

2. Long-Term Performance Issues

Car accidents can damage important components of the engine, wheels, and suspension system.

As a result, when you buy a car that has undergone a serious accident, you might face long-term performance issues. Checking the vehicle’s past helps you avoid buying a car that needs high repair costs.

3. Fair Market Value

Vehicles with accident records definitely have lower resale value. That’s why many sellers don’t want to disclose the car’s accident history.

Without checking the car’s history, you might pay more than the car’s real value. So, consider this when negotiating the price of the used car.

4. Insurance Prices

Insurance providers in the UAE charge higher prices for cars with previous accident damage. This is especially important when it comes to major repairs. 

Documents and Information You’ll Need

To check the car’s accident history, you must provide the following documents:

Document / Information	Description
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)	Unique 17-digit code to identify the vehicle.
Car Registration Details	Includes plate number, make, model, and year.
Seller’s Emirates ID	It may be needed to verify the seller’s ownership.
Proof of Identity	Your ID or passport may be required to access the info.
Service and Maintenance Records	Shows repair history and maintenance. Optional but useful.
Accident Report (if applicable)	Confirms any past accidents and repairs.

Official Ways to Check Car Accident History in the UAE

The UAE has an advanced digital infrastructure and strict regulations that make your tasks super easy.

Here is a simple guide to the methods of checking a used car’s accident history.

1. RTA (Roads and Transport Authority) – Dubai Vehicles Only

First and foremost, you can for the RTA. This is the most important authority for all vehicle services in Dubai.

They have a user-friendly platform that allows you to check a car’s accident history, ownership records, and registration status.

Here is how to check a used car’s accident history using this platform:

• Go to their website: www.rta.ae, or download the RTA Dubai app.
• Go to “Vehicle Services” and select “Vehicle Condition Certificate” or “Check Vehicle History.”
• Enter the car’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) or plate number.
• Pay a small fee (typically AED 50–100).

Now, you can receive a full report that shows accident history, registration details, and ownership changes.

✅ Pros: It’s very accurate and provides official data for all accidents reported in Dubai.
⚠️ Cons: The only drawback is that this method is limited to Dubai-registered vehicles only.

2. MOI (Ministry of Interior) – Nationwide Vehicle History

Despite the previous method, the MOI has a unified national system that gives you accident history for cars across all emirates.

Here’s how you can check the accident history of a used car using this platform:

• Go to their website: www.moi.gov.ae, or use the MOI UAE mobile app.
• Log in using your UAE Pass (digital ID).
• Go to “Traffic Services” and then choose “Vehicle Inquiry.”
• Enter the VIN or plate number.

Now, you can view or download the accident history and related information.

✅ Pros: Covers all emirates, not just one. It’s great for cross-emirate purchases.
⚠️ Cons: Requires UAE Pass registration. Also, some data needs manual verification.

3. Emirate-Specific Police Portals

Each emirate’s police department maintains accident records. Although these records are primarily for incidents reported in their jurisdiction, you can also use this system to check the history of accidents of a used car.

Look at the following guide to learn how to check the accident history of a car using the police portal:

• Go to the official police portal for the specific emirate.
• Use the “Traffic Services” or “Accident Report Inquiry” section.
• Enter the used car’s information like VIN, license plate, or accident report number.
• Pay a fee if required and download the report.

✅ Pros: Detailed reports such as police findings and case history.
⚠️ Cons: Limited to reported accidents. Unreported or minor incidents will not be listed.

4. Third-Party Vehicle History Services (CarReport, AutoCheck, etc.)

Fortunately, you’re not limited just to some governmental platforms. There are private platforms like CarReport and AutoCheck that offer detailed car history reports. The good news is that they often integrate both local and international data.

Here is how to check a used car’s accident history using these platforms:

• Go to the websites of platforms like CarReport.ae, AutoCheck, or Carfax.
• You might have to create an account.
• Input the VIN.
• Pay the service fee (AED 100–300, depending on the provider).

Now, you can get a full report of accident history, mileage records, ownership changes, and more.

✅ Pros: Great for imported vehicles. They also include global accident data.
⚠️ Cons: They’re more expensive. Also, their accuracy varies depending on data sources.

5. Insurance Companies

This is also a smart way to check the car’s previous accidents. If you know the car’s previous insurer, you can request a claims history report.

You must ask the insurance company to show all accidents where insurance claims were filed. This way, you can understand the reported accidents.

Here how:

• Contact the insurance provider directly.
• Provide the car’s VIN or policy number.
• The insurer might require consent from the previous owner.
• Receive a report listing claims, dates, and repair details.

✅ Pros: It gives you insight into accident severity and repair costs.
⚠️ Cons: Only includes accidents where insurance claims were filed.

6. Vehicle Testing Centers (Tasjeel, Shamil, etc.)

Last but not least, you can check the car’s previous accidents using testing centers like Tasjeel or Shamil. 

Remember that before registration or renewal, all cars in the UAE must pass an inspection at authorized testing centers.

Some of these centers offer basic history reports, and you can rely on their reports to understand the car’s previous accidents. Here is how to Check:

• Go to a testing center like Tasjeel, Shamil, or Wasel.
• Make sure they provide history checks.
• Provide the registration documents and vehicle details.

✅ Pros: Combines physical inspection with digital records.
⚠️ Cons: Not all centers provide full accident history. Also, their data may be limited.

Do’s and Don’ts of Buying a Used Car

To avoid any problems in the process of buying a used car in the UAE, try to pay attention to the following tips:

✅ Do’s

Make sure you do these when buying a car:

Action	Summary
Inspect the Car Thoroughly	Get a mechanic to check for hidden damage.
Test Drive the Car	Detect handling issues or hidden faults.
Verify Ownership	Match the seller’s ID with the car’s documents.
Negotiate Based on Findings	Use the accident history to lower the price.
Get a Warranty (if possible)	Adds protection if problems arise later.
Research the Market	Compare prices to ensure a fair deal.
Check Mileage	Confirm with service records for accuracy.

❌ Don’ts

Avoid the following mistakes to prevent future problems:

Avoid This	Summary
Trusting Verbal Claims	Insist on reports, not just words.
Rushing the Process	Take your time to inspect and verify.
Ignoring Red Flags	Be wary of legal or pricing issues.
Overlooking Paperwork	Ensure all documents are complete.
Buying Without a Test Drive	Always test before buying.
Paying in Full Upfront	Wait until checks and papers are clear.
Ignoring Your Gut Feeling	Walk away if anything feels off.

Conclusion

Checking a car’s accident history isn’t just a step in buying a car, it’s a crucial part of investing in the used car market of the UAE. If you don’t know the history of the car, you might face significant financial loss or even put your life at risk. We provided the official way to make sure that the car doesn’t have any reported accidents more than what the seller claims. Also, we explain the essential dos and don’ts of buying used cars in the AUE to help you have a safe and profitable deal in the country. Thanks to the UAE’s advanced infrastructure, you can now check the accident history of a car more easily than ever. So don’t worry and search for a suitable car using Shozon and check its accident history.

FAQs