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Illustration of a technician with a checklist and diagnostic scanner inspecting a used car under its open bonnet

Mechanical

Pre-Purchase Inspection in Dubai the full picture before you pay

A technician meets you at the seller's home, office or showroom, checks the used car from paintwork to gearbox, and walks you through every finding before any money changes hands.

Chosen by 5,000+ drivers served4.9(5,550+ reviews)
tabby logotamara logoSplit into 4 payments
Where
Seller's location
Checks
Body to gearbox
Findings
Explained in person
Pricing
Quote first
Chosen by 5,000+ drivers served4.9(5,550+ reviews)
tabby logotamara logoSplit into 4 payments
Illustration of a technician with a checklist and diagnostic scanner inspecting a used car under its open bonnet

Mechanical

Pre-Purchase Inspection in Dubai the full picture before you pay

A technician meets you at the seller's home, office or showroom, checks the used car from paintwork to gearbox, and walks you through every finding before any money changes hands.

tabby logotamara logoSplit into 4 payments
Chosen by 5,000+ drivers served4.9(5,550+ reviews)
Seller's locationWhere
Seller's locationWhere
Checks
Body to gearbox
Findings
Explained in person
Pricing
Quote first
tabby logotamara logoSplit into 4 payments
Chosen by 5,000+ drivers served4.9(5,550+ reviews)

How the inspection works

  1. Step 1

    Share the listing

    Send us the advert or the make, model, year and mileage, plus where the car is. Ask the seller not to start the car before we arrive.

  2. Step 2

    Book a time with the seller

    We confirm the price and a slot, and let you know what the seller should have ready, such as the registration card and any service records.

  3. Step 3

    Inspect and road test

    Body, paint, underside, engine bay, electrics, AC, tyres, brakes and a diagnostic scan, followed by a test drive where the seller allows it.

  4. Step 4

    Walk through the findings

    The technician explains the results with photos, separating safety issues from wear items and cosmetic marks, so you can decide what to do.

Overview

What a seller will not tell you

A pre-purchase inspection in Dubai gives you an independent view of a used car before you commit. A clean listing photo can hide a repainted wing after an accident, a gearbox that slips only when hot, or an AC compressor that struggles the moment summer arrives.

We look at the car the way a buyer should but rarely can: a paint thickness gauge across every panel to spot resprays and filler, panel gaps and bolt heads for signs of replaced parts, and the underside for impact damage, leaks and corrosion.

A diagnostic scan reads stored and recently cleared fault codes, which matters because warning lights can be reset before a viewing. The engine is checked from cold where possible, since some faults such as hard starting, rattles or smoke only appear before it warms up.

Dubai conditions shape the checklist. We test how quickly the AC gets cold at idle, look at rubber seals and hoses that harden in the heat, check the battery's health rather than just its voltage, read tyre manufacturing dates, and look for sand in places it should not be after hard desert use.

A road test covers gear changes, braking, steering pull and suspension noise. Afterwards you get a plain explanation of what is fine, what needs attention soon and what could be expensive, so you can negotiate, walk away or buy with confidence.

We work for the buyer, not the seller
Independent
Inspection at the seller's location
On-site
Saloons, SUVs, 4x4s and sports cars
All makes
Price agreed before booking
Quote first

Is it worth it?

When an inspection matters most

Every used car benefits from a second look, but some situations call for it more than others.

Book an inspection

Situations where it pays to check

  1. Buying privately from an online listing
  2. The price seems low for the year and mileage
  3. No service history or gaps in the records
  4. The car has been imported or has had several owners
  5. The seller wants a quick sale or cash today

An independent check before you pay protects you from costly surprises.

Lower risk

Situations with more protection already

  1. Buying from a dealer with a written warranty
  2. Full dealer service history you can verify
  3. A car you already know from a family member
  4. Recent independent inspection report from a trusted source
  5. Still under the manufacturer's warranty

Risk is lower, though an inspection can still confirm the car matches its records.

An inspection reports the car's condition on the day. It cannot predict every future fault, and it is separate from the registration test required for transfer.

What's checked

Inside a pre-purchase inspection

The checks are grouped so it is easy to see where a car is strong and where it is weak.

  • Exterior

    Body, paint and accident signs

    Paint depth readings, panel alignment, replaced glass, filler, overspray on rubbers and signs of structural repair.

  • Mechanical

    Engine and fluids

    Cold start behaviour, leaks, oil and coolant condition, belts, mounts, exhaust smoke and unusual noises.

  • Mechanical

    Gearbox and drivetrain

    Shift quality hot and cold, delayed engagement, vibration, CV joints and 4x4 system operation where fitted.

  • Scan

    Diagnostics and electrics

    Fault code scan across the modules we can read, warning lights, windows, locks, cameras, sensors and infotainment.

  • Climate critical

    AC, battery and cooling

    Vent temperature at idle and on the move, compressor behaviour, radiator and fans, plus a battery health test.

  • Safety

    Tyres, brakes and suspension

    Tread depth and tyre age, uneven wear, disc and pad condition, shock absorbers, bushes and steering play.

Pricing

What affects inspection pricing

Inspection price depends on the car and how deep you want the check to go.

Pre-purchase inspection

Free quote

The inspection price is confirmed with you before we book the visit with the seller.

  1. Vehicle type

    Luxury, performance and 4x4 vehicles have more systems to check than a simple saloon.

  2. Inspection depth

    A focused check differs from a full inspection with road test and underside review.

  3. Car location

    Where the seller is based can affect travel time for the visit.

  4. Diagnostic access

    Some makes need specific scan tools or more time to read every module.

If the inspection shows the car needs repairs, any quote for that work is separate and entirely your choice.

Our promise

An inspection you can rely on

Our job is to tell you what we find, clearly, whether or not you buy.

Independent

On the buyer's side

Why us

Independent inspection vs. trusting the seller

Jumeirah Battery

Buying on a look and a drive

Who it is for

An independent check on the buyer's behalf

The seller's word on the car's history

Accident history

Paint gauge readings across every panel

What looks right in daylight

Hidden faults

Diagnostic scan for stored and cleared codes

No warning lights on the dash at viewing

Negotiation

Specific findings you can discuss on price

A general feeling about the car

The first thing we rule out

Could it be the battery? What we test before quoting

A weak battery sits behind more faults than people expect. A quick voltage and load test tells us whether a replacement is the answer before any other work is priced.

12.6 V
Resting voltage
Read with the engine off. A charged, healthy battery shows about 12.6 V; once it drops near 12.0 V the starter usually gives up.
CCA
Cold cranking amps
The burst of current the battery can deliver to turn the engine over. Large engines and diesels need a higher figure, so we match it to your car rather than guess.
Ah
Capacity
Amp-hours: how much energy the battery stores for lights, screens, sensors and start-stop. Modern cars with heavy electrics need more of it.
Size
Case group & terminals
The physical size and which side the positive post sits on. The wrong group won't sit on the tray or reach the cables — the first thing we check before fitting.
How we read a battery before recommending anything
  • < 11.9 VFlat — load test, then replace or jump
  • 12.0 VNear empty — may not crank
  • 12.2 VAbout half — a boost charge helps
  • 12.4 VAbout 75% — healthy, keep driving
  • 12.6 V+Full — the battery isn't the problem

Buying tips

Before you buy a used car in Jumeirah

A few simple steps alongside an inspection keep you in control of the deal.

  • Ask for a cold start

    Request that the car is not driven before your viewing. A warm engine can hide starting problems and noises.

  • Check the specification

    Confirm whether the car was built for the region or imported. Imported cars can have different cooling and AC setups and sometimes a more complicated past.

  • Test the AC properly

    Let it run at idle for a while, not just on the move. An AC that fades when stationary is a real problem in July traffic.

  • Match the paperwork

    Make sure the chassis number on the registration card matches the car, and that any service records belong to this vehicle.

  • Read the tyre dates

    Tyres may look new but be several years old. Replacing a full set is a cost worth knowing about before agreeing a price.

  • Do not pay a deposit first

    Hold off on deposits until the inspection is done. A reasonable seller will allow a check on a genuine car.

Pre-Purchase Inspection in Jumeirah and every area of Dubai

Home, office, basement or roadside — tell us where the car is and we'll confirm how we'll handle it.

Beyond Dubai

We also fit batteries in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. Choose an emirate for its areas and arrival times.

What drivers in Jumeirah tell us

Google Reviews4.95,550+ reviews
  • Ahmed Al Mansoori

    3 weeks ago

    Battery died on my Land Cruiser outside our villa in Jumeirah 2. They arrived in about half an hour with the right size already in the van, tested the old one to show me it was finished and had the new one in within twenty minutes.

  • Priya Nair

    2 months ago

    I was sure I needed a new battery. The technician tested it in my building's basement near City Walk and said it was just drained from a dashcam. He boosted it and told me to unplug the camera. Honest, and it cost me far less.

  • Mohammed Rashid

    5 days ago

    My BMW needs the battery registered after a change and the last garage skipped it. These guys brought a proper AGM, used a memory saver so I kept all my settings, and coded it on the driveway. No warning lights since.

  • Sarah Whitfield

    last month

    Arrived a bit later than quoted because of school-run traffic on Al Wasl Road, but they called ahead to say so. The battery swap itself was quick, neat and the price matched what they told me on WhatsApp.

  • Jomar Villanueva

    6 days ago

    Second time using them for the family cars in Umm Suqeim. Same technician, remembered the cars, fitted the battery, gave me the warranty on the invoice and took the old one away for recycling.

  • خالد العامري

    2 weeks ago

    بطارية سيارتي توقفت أمام البيت في جميرا 3. وصل الفني بسرعة ومعه البطارية المناسبة، فحص القديمة أمامي وشرح لي لماذا يجب تبديلها، ثم ركّب الجديدة في ربع ساعة. سعر واضح من البداية وخدمة محترمة.

  • Deepak Sharma

    4 months ago

    Left the interior light on overnight in Al Safa. They came, jump started it and ran a test — battery still had plenty of life, so no replacement. I'll definitely call them when it does need changing.

  • Elena Petrova

    3 months ago

    Start-stop car that needs a specific EFB battery. They checked the spec before quoting and turned up with exactly the right one. Fitted in the car park at La Mer while I had lunch.

  • Faisal Hassan

    2 months ago

    Good battery, fair price and the fitting was tidy. Only note is I had to message twice to confirm the time. Once they were here it was all handled properly.

  • Anita Fernandes

    last week

    Car wouldn't start in a tower basement on Sheikh Zayed Road where the tow company said they couldn't reach. These guys came down with the battery on a trolley and replaced it in the bay.

  • Tom Bradley

    5 months ago

    Called early on a public holiday expecting voicemail. Someone answered, the van came to our villa on the beach road, new battery fitted before breakfast. That's all I wanted.

  • رانيا حداد

    3 weeks ago

    اتصلت بعد العودة من السفر وكانت البطارية فارغة تماماً. الفني فحصها أولاً وقال إنها ما زالت جيدة، فشحنها بدل أن يبيعني بطارية جديدة. أمانة نادرة وتعامل مريح جداً.

  • Vikram Menon

    7 months ago

    Battery gave up in the August heat in Al Manara. They explained why batteries last only a couple of summers here and fitted one with a longer warranty. Clear, patient and quick.

  • Grace Okonkwo

    2 weeks ago

    Quoted over the phone, and the price on the invoice was the same. Battery fitted in our compound car park in Jumeirah 1 in about fifteen minutes. Rare these days.

  • Michelle Tan

    4 days ago

    My car died at school pickup and I was blocking the lane. They were there quickly with a boost, then came to the house the next morning to replace the battery.

  • Laura Kim

    8 months ago

    Technician arrived in a marked van, in uniform, with proper equipment and explained everything he tested. Calling alone in the evening, that professionalism mattered a lot.

  • نادية الزعابي

    5 weeks ago

    خدمة سريعة وصادقة في الصفوح. طلبت بطارية جديدة لكنهم أخبروني بعد الفحص أن المشكلة في الدينامو وليس البطارية. شكراً على الأمانة.

  • Sanjay Patel

    last year

    Car had been standing three weeks while I travelled. Booked for the morning, they came to the villa, tested, replaced, done before I left for work. Saved in my phone now.

FAQ

Your Pre-Purchase Inspection questions

Didn't find your question? Call +971 54 318 8600 — a real person picks up, 24/7.

Can you inspect the car at the seller's house or showroom in Dubai?

Yes. We come to wherever the car is, as long as the seller agrees and there is safe space to look underneath and start the engine. We can coordinate the time with the seller if you prefer.

Will the inspection tell me if the car was in an accident?

It looks for the evidence accidents usually leave, such as repainted panels, filler, uneven gaps and replaced parts. It cannot prove a full history on its own, so it works best alongside the car's records.

Is this the same as the registration test?

No. The registration test checks that a car meets the requirements for transfer and road use. A pre-purchase inspection looks more closely at condition and likely costs, so it helps you decide whether to buy at all.

What if the seller has cleared the fault codes?

Recently cleared codes can leave traces in the car's readiness data, which the scan can show. We also check the systems physically, so faults do not rely on a warning light alone.

Do I need to be there during the inspection?

It helps, so you can see the findings and ask questions, but it is not essential. If you cannot attend, we explain the results by phone with photos.

What happens if the car has problems?

You get a clear view of what the problems are and how serious they look. You can use that to negotiate, ask the seller to fix them, or walk away. Any repair work from us is separate and only if you ask for it.

Found a car you like?

Get it inspected before you pay

Send us the listing or call +971 54 318 8600. We will confirm the price and arrange the inspection at the seller's location.