Buying guides
Buying a car from abroad: 8 checks before you pay
A registered company, an account in the right name, an inspection with the chassis number in view, a bill of lading you can verify: the simple checks that avoid bad surprises when buying a car abroad.
By Alexandre Zakaria2 min read
Buying a car thousands of kilometres away takes trust, and trust can be checked. Here are the checks we recommend to every buyer, whether you go through us or another exporter.
1. The company exists
Ask for the company's legal name, licence number and place of registration. In the UAE, an export company is registered with a licensing authority or a free zone. Ours: DUBAI EXPORT AUTO FZE, Ajman Free Zone, licence 27982, since 2019.
2. The bank account is in the company's name
The beneficiary of the transfer must be exactly the company invoicing you, on a business account. A personal account, or a different name "for tax reasons", is a warning sign.
3. An invoice before any payment
Never pay without a proforma invoice stating the vehicle (make, model, year, chassis number), the price, the fees and the terms of sale.
4. The same chassis number (VIN) everywhere
The VIN must be identical on the listing, the invoice, the inspection report, the photo of the manufacturer's plate and, later, the export documents. A single difference is enough to stop everything.
5. A recent inspection, with photos and video
Ask for a dated inspection report, detailed photos and a video showing the car starting, the odometer and the VIN. With us, the 120-point inspection is done before any payment.
6. The history, when there is one
For a North American car, a VIN history report; for a Japanese car, the auction sheet (here is how to read it); for a car from Dubai, the dealer service history when available.
7. The bill of lading can be checked
After departure, you receive the bill of lading (BL). Its number must let you track the container or the ship on the shipping line's own website, not only through a link sent by the seller.
8. A price that is too good deserves a question
If a car is clearly cheaper than all the others, ask why: an accident, a flood, the mileage, a problem with the title. A clear answer is worth more than an unexplained bargain.
And if you can come over
Nothing beats a visit. Our Dubai office welcomes you by appointment, and you can see the car before paying.
A serious company never takes offence at these questions: it answers them in writing. Contact us for any check.
