They look great. They are cheap. But are they safe?
Browse Dubizzle or visit the used car markets in Sharjah and Aweer, and you will see them: distinctively shiny Fords, Mustangs, Lexuses, and Mercedes with “American Specs.” They are often 20% to 30% cheaper than the same car with GCC specs. It feels like a steal. But why are they so cheap? The answer usually lies in their history. While some are clean imports brought by expats, the vast majority are “Salvage Title” cars. Before you hand over your cash, here are the 5 Hidden Risks you need to know.
This is the biggest risk. In the US, if a car gets into a bad accident, floods, or is stolen, insurance companies declare it a “total loss” (Salvage Title). It is illegal to drive these on US roads without a massive rebuild. The Loophole: These wrecked cars are sold at auctions for very cheap prices. Traders ship them to the UAE, repair them in low-cost workshops (often using glue, wire, and cheap fillers), paint them to look brand new, and sell them to you.
- The Danger: The airbags might be missing. The chassis could be bent. The "new" paint might be hiding rust or structural damage.
In the US, cars measure distance in Miles. In the UAE, we use Kilometers. Unscrupulous sellers use this confusion to trick buyers. Furthermore, digital odometers are easily “rolled back” or reprogrammed. A car that actually ran 200,000 miles (approx 320,000 km) might be modified to show only 60,000 miles on the dashboard to increase its value.
Summer in Dubai hits 50°C. GCC Spec cars are built specifically for this. They have:
- Larger radiators.
- More powerful AC compressors
- Heavy-duty rust protection.
- The Risk: An American car might run fine in December. But in August? You might face overheating engines and an AC that just blows warm air.
Buying the car is easy. Living with it is harder
- Insurance: Many top insurance companies in the UAE will not offer Comprehensive (Full) Insurance on American spec cars older than a few years. You might be forced to take "Third Party Only," meaning if you crash, you pay for your own repairs.
- Resale: When you try to sell the car later, dealers and buyers will offer you a very low price because everyone knows the risks of American imports.
This is a minor annoyance, but it hurts.
- Radio Frequencies: US radios tune to odd numbers (e.g., 98.7, 104.3). UAE stations use even decimals (e.g., 104.4, 104.8). You won't be able to listen to many local Dubai radio stations clearly.
- GPS Maps: The navigation system will be loaded with maps of North America. To get UAE maps, you often need expensive software updates or a complete system "hack."
Not all American cars are bad. Some are genuine clean cars. But you must protect yourself:
1. Google the VIN (Chassis Number): Before you even go see the car, ask for the VIN. Type it into Google Images. If it was a salvage car, you will often find photos of the smashed car at the US auction yard.
2. Get a Carfax Report: Pay a few dollars online to get the full US history. It will tell you if the car was flooded, stolen, or crashed.
3. Get a Specialist Inspection: Never buy an American spec car without a professional Pre-Purchase Inspection. We can spot the difference between a factory weld and a “cheap repair shop” weld.
Thinking of buying an import? Let us check it first.
