Car buyers look for newer features in used vehicles
dubai — When it comes to buying a second-hand car, residents in the UAE have a long checklist that they have to consider. One factor that sways them into selecting certain models involves newer remote features.
According to dubizzle Motors’ annual report for 2017, options such as Bluetooth systems and sensors were popular among residents scouting for used car. Over 48 per cent of the listings included keyless start and parking sensors, while 47 per cent of the listings made note of Bluetooth systems, 40 per cent of the listings mentioned leather seats, and 31 per cent noted premium wheel rims.
The report also mentioned that one used car was listed for sale every two minutes in 2017, and that 54 per cent of all used cars listed were less than five years old, with 57 per cent having been driven less
Japanese brands take the lead... due to the combination of reliability, strong local distributors, and lower total cost of ownership, which includes depreciation, maintenance and fuel economy Jean-Pierre Mondalek, General manager of dubizzle Motors
than 100,000km. The report revealed that the total value of used cars on the platform was over Dh20.5 billion, with an average price of Dh90,000 per car. In addition, each car listing received an average of 40 inquiries from potential buyers in 2017.
“Based on our findings Japanese brands such as Toyota and Nissan take the lead of the most popular brands in the UAE in terms of demand and supply with 14 per cent and 11 per cent of the listings on dubizzle Motors, as well as 14 per cent and 12 per cent respectively in terms of searches. This is due to the combination of reliability, strong local distributors, and lower total cost of ownership, which includes depreciation, maintenance and fuel economy,” Jean-Pierre Mondalek, general manager of dubizzle Motors told Khaleej Times.
Mondalek also noted that unlike Western markets, where people hold on to cars for up to seven to eight years, the UAE sees cars changing hands every three to four years.
“This is partially explained by the transient expat community, but also cars have shorter lives in the harsher environment here, and therefore require more frequent maintenance, such as with their tires,” he said. “VAT still applies on cars being sold by dealers, however, it is exempt from purchases from private sellers.”
—rohma@khaleejtimes.com