During our time in Qatar, our family owned a total of 6 cars, 4 of which were bought pre-owned. Buying a used car in Qatar is almost always tricky, no matter where you are, so it doesn’t surprise me that it’s one of the most common questions I’m being asked. And so I gathered everything I’ve learned from experience and selected the most important (in my mind) tips.
Before you start looking…
Set your budget and decide if you’d like to focus your search on privately owned vehicles, or companies selling pre-owned cars. Companies will usually charge you more, but it’s generally a less risky purchase and you might even be offered a limited warranty. I would usually go with private sellers, because there’s more potential for landing a good deal.
A few places to look for used vehicles:
QatarLiving, Mzad, Qatarsale.com, Facebook marketplace.
When browsing ads…
Pay attention to how long has the ad been up. If it’s old and the car is still available, chances are that there’s something wrong with it, or the asking price is excessive. On the other hand, old ads have a good potential for price negotiation.
Pay attention to the warranty.
Since it’s a used car, the best-case scenario is if it’s still under warranty. It’s also an added advantage if the insurance is comprehensive, especially if you’re a new driver in Qatar.
Service history is important.
Ideally, the car should have been serviced at the dealer – this way you know the parts used are genuine, and service history is all in one place, in case you need it. Make sure to also check if it was serviced on time, and when is the next service due. If you’re being extra careful, you can call the garage/dealership and enquire about the car’s history.
Don’t forget to take the car for an inspection before buying!
There are many private inspection centers at Salwa Road (look for “German Car Inspection” or similar – those are usually the most reliable). Inspection doesn’t cost a lot, but will highlight any major issues which are not immediately visible (engine, gear, etc.).
Don’t be afraid to negotiate the price, but keep it classy and try to refrain from giving silly offers.
No seller will agree to give you a 50% discount on the asking price, unless there’s something seriously wrong with the car 😊 By looking at the asking price in the ad, you will usually be able to figure out how much discount the seller is willing to give. For example, if a car costs QAR 33,000, you can try to offer QAR 30,000, etc.
Is the car accident-free?
It’s important to know the vehicle’s accident history. This can be checked on Metrash2 (you will need to enter the VIN number of the vehicle). The app shows how many major and minor accidents were reported for the car. A “major accident” is a red flag for potential buyers. The easiest way to check this is to ask the seller for a screenshot.
Check if the insurance and istimara were recently renewed.
Buying a vehicle right before the renewal date means you will have to bear the cost of it.
Remember about a test drive.
It’s quite obvious, but ask to take the vehicle for a test drive before buying a used car in Qatar. Especially if you’re choosing between 2 or 3 cars and have difficulty deciding. Sometimes even though there’s nothing wrong with the car, driving it just won’t feel good for you (you will discover you’re not a fan of low suspension, hard steering etc.).
Hope you found these tips useful! I would love to know if you have other tips which could make the process easier for others!
***
You might also like…
— I walked 50,000 steps in Qatar!
— Qatar: A comprehensive guide to kids’ birthday party venues.
— Family trips: our favorite destinations within 40min drive from Lusail.