How to Check Car Accident History in Dubai Before Buying Used Cars

Buying a used car in Dubai can be an exciting venture, but it comes with significant risks if you don’t verify the vehicle’s accident history. Every year, thousands of buyers in the UAE unknowingly purchase vehicles with hidden accident damage, leading to serious financial losses, safety risks, and insurance complications.

The reality is stark: a vehicle that looks pristine on the surface may have been involved in major collisions, structural repairs, or even declared a total loss. Without proper verification, you could be driving a compromised vehicle that puts you and your family at risk.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through exactly how to check car accident history in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and across the UAE. We’ll cover the official government platforms, legal implications of hidden damage, warning signs to watch for, and when professional legal assistance becomes necessary to protect your investment.

Why Checking Car Accident History in Dubai Is Critical

The used car market in Dubai turns over quickly, with a constant flow of imports, sales, and resales of various vehicles. Even so, most are honest dealers, but some accidents, particularly those that are minor or repaired privately, are not always listed.

Checking accident history helps you:

1. Avoid cars with serious structural damage
2. Realize the actual value of the car
3. Preclude future problems of Safety and Insurance
4. Improve position in price negotiations
5. Financial Effects on Resale Value
6. Minimize legal risks after purchase

Together, these means protect both your finances and your safety.

What Information Do You Need to Check Accident History?

Before starting, you’ll need at least one of the following:

1. Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

This goes by another name – the chassis number, which is a unique 17-digit number assigned to each car. It can be found at:

• On the registration card (Mulkiya)
• The dashboard close to the windshield
• Behind the right-hand door frame 

2. Plate Number (Limited Use)

 In Dubai, there are platforms where a plate number search can be performed partially, but the search by the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is more reliable and inclusive.

How to Check Car Accident History in Dubai: Step-by-Step

The UAE government has made it relatively straightforward to verify vehicle accident history through several official platforms. Here’s how to use each one effectively.

Step 1: Obtain the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

The VIN or chassis number is your key to unlocking accurate accident history. This 17-character code is typically found on the vehicle registration card (Mulkiya), on the driver’s side dashboard visible through the windshield, or on the driver’s door frame.

Step 2: Check RTA Dubai for Dubai-Registered Vehicles

For vehicles registered or primarily used in Dubai, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) maintains comprehensive accident records.

How to check:

1. Visit the official RTA website or download the RTA Dubai app
2. Navigate to Driver & Vehicle Owner Services
3. Select “Vehicle Accident Enquiry” or “Vehicle History Check”
4. Enter the chassis number (VIN) and complete the verification
5. Review the accident history report

The RTA system will display all reported accidents involving that vehicle within Dubai, including dates, severity, and basic damage information.

Step 3: How to Check Car Accident History in Abu Dhabi

For vehicles registered in Abu Dhabi, you have two primary official platforms that provide the most comprehensive and detailed accident records in the UAE.

Option A: TAMM Portal (Recommended)

TAMM (the Abu Dhabi government services portal) provides the most detailed accident records and is the preferred method for Abu Dhabi vehicles.

How to check:

1. Visit tamm.abudhabi and search for “View Vehicle Accident History”
2. Log in using your UAE Pass credentials
3. Enter the vehicle VIN
4. Access the complete accident history report

TAMM reports often include more detailed information than other platforms, including accident dates, police report numbers, severity classifications, and repair status.

Option B: Abu Dhabi Police E-Services

Abu Dhabi Police also offers direct accident inquiry services through their online portal.

How to check:

1. Visit the Abu Dhabi Police e-services website
2. Navigate to Traffic Services and select “Accidents Inquiry”
3. Enter the vehicle chassis number (VIN) and verification code
4. Review accidents recorded by Abu Dhabi Police

Step 4: Cross-Reference with Ministry of Interior (MOI)

The MOI platform offers nationwide accident data, making it essential for vehicles that may have been driven or registered across multiple emirates.

How to check:

1. Access the MOI website or MOI Smart App
2. Navigate to Traffic Services and select Accident Inquiry
3. Input the VIN and complete verification
4. Review national accident records

This step is particularly important because a vehicle may have a clean record in one emirate but significant accidents recorded in another.

How to Check Car Accident History in Sharjah and Other Emirates

For vehicles registered in Sharjah or other northern emirates, the MOI platform serves as your primary resource since these emirates don’t have separate dedicated accident history portals like Dubai’s RTA or Abu Dhabi’s TAMM.

For Sharjah-registered vehicles:

1. Use the MOI platform as your main verification tool
2. Cross-check with Sharjah Police e-services for traffic-related inquiries
3. Verify through EVG if the vehicle has insurance records in the system

Step 5: Check Emirates Vehicle Gate (EVG)

EVG is particularly useful for Abu Dhabi-registered vehicles as it combines police data with insurance repair records.

How to check:

1. Visit evg.ae
2. Go to Traffic Accidents Management
3. Enter the VIN in the accident inquiry section
4. Review both accident history and insurance repair documentation

Understanding Your Accident History Report: A Legal Perspective

Once you have secured accident reports from the above platforms, here is what our legal team at FranGulf would advise you to look out for:

Major Red Flags

• Frame or Chassis Damage: The worst kind of accident damage is this. A car with frame damage can never be completely returned to its original structure and would pose a continuous threat or danger due to risk factors in safety.
• Airbag Deployment: If airbags deployed, this means there was substantial impact. Check to see if the airbags were professionally replaced with OEM parts, not simply reset or removed.
• Multiple Accidents: Any vehicle with three or more reported accidents should be treated with caution, regardless of the quality of repair that is claimed to have been done.
• Total Loss or Salvage Status: Sometimes total loss written off by the insurance companies gets repaired and goes back into the market. These definitely need to be avoided.

Information Gaps to Question

If official reports show limited information or gaps in the vehicle’s history, this doesn’t necessarily mean the car is clean. It could indicate:

1. Private repairs done without insurance claims
2. Accidents in other countries before import
3. Unreported minor collisions
4. Deliberately concealed damage

What the Official Records Won’t Tell You

While government platforms provide valuable information, they have significant limitations that buyers must understand.

Unreported Private Repairs

There are many minor to moderate accidents that are repaired out of pocket and do not involve insurance companies. Such accidents never get recorded but can influence the car’s safety and market value.

Imported Cars Data

If any car is imported from the USA or Japan or Korea or any other country, then the car crash records will not be visible on UAE systems. Cars with a “salvage titles” record from other countries are often imported to UAE to be sold.You can verify US vehicle history through services like Carfax or AutoCheck.

Cosmetic Repair Quality

The government records may indicate repairs are finished but cannot identify the quality of work completed. Shoddy repairs can be masking serious issues underneath.

Legal Remedies for Undisclosed Accident History

If you discover significant undisclosed accident history after purchase, you may have legal recourse under UAE Federal Law.

Breach of Contract Claims

If the seller made specific representations about the vehicle’s condition that prove false, you may be able to pursue contract rescission or damages.

Fraud and Misrepresentation

Deliberate concealment of material facts can constitute fraud under UAE law, potentially entitling you to full compensation and punitive measures against the seller.

Consumer Protection Rights

The UAE’s consumer protection framework provides additional remedies for buyers who were materially misled during a transaction.

When to Consult Legal Experts Before Purchase

At FranGulf, we recommend getting legal advice and assistance before finalizing the purchase of a used car if:

• The vehicle indicates any accident history requiring frame repairs.
• There are inconsistencies or gaps in the official records.
• The claims by the seller are contrary to official documentation.
• You’re buying a foreign vehicle
• The deal seems too good to be true for the apparent condition of the vehicle.

Our accident injury lawyers can help you substantiate your claim, decipher confusing accident reports, and make sure you are legally protected before making a major purchase.

Final Recommendations: Protecting Your Investment

Checking car accident history in Dubai through RTA, TAMM, MOI, and EVG is essential, but it’s only one part of comprehensive due diligence. We strongly recommend:

1. Verify through all available platforms, not just one
2. Obtain professional mechanical inspection regardless of what reports show
3. Request complete service history and repair documentation
4. Have a trusted mechanic examine the vehicle for signs of unreported damage
5. Consider professional legal review for high-value purchases

Remember, spending a few hundred dirhams on proper verification can save you from losses of tens of thousands or protect you from serious injury in an unsafe vehicle.

Need Legal Assistance?

If you have found undisclosed accident history after a vehicle purchase, or if you want professional legal verification before purchasing, FranGulf’s experienced accident lawyers can help. With our track record of securing the highest motor vehicle accident compensation in UAE history, we know exactly what to look for and how to protect your rights.