Before you buy any used car in the UAE, it is important to do a car accident history check to find out whether it has had previous crashes. Therefore, this guide explains the official online method, and then shows why a technical inspection remains an essential step.
Why does a car accident history check matter?
A car that has had a serious accident may look sound after repair and repainting. However, the damage may remain in the chassis, the airbags or the suspension system. In addition, the car’s resale value drops if the accident history appears later.
Knowing the record also helps you negotiate the price with confidence. If you discover an accident that the seller did not mention, you have a clear reason to ask for a discount or walk away.
Steps for a car accident history check online
The Emirates Vehicle Gate portal offers a service to look up the traffic accidents registered against a vehicle. You can access it through the service website, and then follow these steps:
- Log in to the website.
- Go to your dashboard, then click on Traffic Accidents Management.
- Enter the vehicle chassis number (VIN).
- View the accident date and the recorded details.
First, make sure you take the chassis number from the car itself, and not only from the seller. Second, match the number with the one written on the ownership document to avoid any mistake.
On the other hand, if you do not have access to the service, ask the seller to run the check in front of you. You can also ask for the accident report, if there is one, to learn which parts were damaged and where they were repaired. This information helps the technician focus on the damaged areas during the inspection.
The limits of the online check
The online check shows only officially registered accidents. For example, some people repair minor or moderate damage without an official record, so it does not appear in the result. Therefore, a clean result does not always mean the car has not been damaged.
This is where the technical inspection comes in. The technician measures the paint thickness to find repainted panels, and also checks the chassis, the weld points and the airbags. In addition, a computer car inspection reads the fault codes stored in the car’s systems.
Combine the record with an inspection before buying
The safest approach is to combine an online car accident history check with a comprehensive inspection at a specialist centre. After that, you get a complete picture of the car’s condition before you pay. Learn about our pre-purchase used car inspection in Sharjah service.
In the end, do not rely on the seller’s word alone. Bring the car to Jordan Car Inspection Center after your car accident history check, and we will help you make an informed decision. Address: University Street, Industrial Area 13, Sharjah. Phone and WhatsApp: 055 572 2214 or message us on WhatsApp. The centre is open 24 hours.