Tips on buying a car in Qatar
A friendly perspective by a Singaporean on cars and buying one
Hi everyone!
Cars. Whether it’s one for the family, a desert dune bashing SUV, or that flashy & sporty head-turner, they’re certainly an essential mode of transport in Qatar as accessibility via the local public transport system is rather limited.
I’m Pravin Khemlani, an airline pilot with Qatar Airways. December 2017 marks my first year in this unique & interesting country. Cars have always excited me from a very young age & I finally got the opportunity to purchase my first ever car in Doha! (As seen in the 2 pictures below)
As a new Singaporean in Qatar, the first thing you’ll notice about most cars in Doha is that they are massive! SUVs rule the roads here and let’s face it, when it comes down to practicality, the SUV is the way to go. You’ll also see many unique and exotic vehicles; Ferraris, Porsches, Rolls-Royces by the dozens soon become a daily sight and looking at how affordable cars in Doha are compared to Singapore, you might get your dream car right here someday!
Here are 3 essential tips to get you started on buying a car in Qatar:
1. Where can I start searching for a car?
With a plethora of new & used cars available on platforms such as qatarliving classifieds, qatarsale.com (iOS app and website), Qmotor app & Carsemsar.com to name a few, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Firstly, decide on the type of car you’re looking for. Shortlist a few brands and car types as most of the websites mentioned above allow you to filter search results by car make and type of car making the choices streamlined and easier.
2. New Car? YES! How do I pay for it?
If you have the funds (or a local bank willing to provide a vehicle loan), you may consider purchasing a new car directly from a dealership of your choice. You’ll be assured of no previous history on the car and yes, that aroma of fresh new leather! Take note that most banks require 10–20% of down-payment of the car price in cash before a vehicle loan can be applied for & this applies to both new & used cars. Most dealerships provide a few years of free servicing & warranty on new cars to keep you covered. However, do note that you will be absorbing the biggest depreciation hit with a new car. Once you drive that shiny new car away from the dealership, it has probably lost 15–20% of its value. Ka-ching, Ka-ching!, goes the cash register.
3. I’d like a Used car please!
A very wise choice indeed my friend. The first owner has taken the biggest depreciation hit & if it’s well-maintained, you could be snagging yourself a good deal at a fraction of showroom prices! As mentioned in the previous paragraph, if you plan on getting a vehicle loan for a new/used car from your bank, they would require a 10–20% down-payment of the car price paid upfront. Furthermore, word has it that vehicle loans for used cars would only be given if the car is a maximum of 3 years old. For example, if you found your dream car online yesterday(some day in 2017), it should ideally be a 2014 or later model. Banks may not be comfortable giving loans for older cars. As mentioned, this is hearsay so its best to check with your bank before sealing the deal.
When buying a used car, due diligence when inspecting a car is crucial. Take a look at its service history, whether it’s been involved in any accidents or breakdowns, check that its brakes are genuine and in good working condition after verifying that they’ve been serviced by a reliable & authorized mechanic. The car should have been serviced as per the instructions stated on the driver’s manual. Do not hesitate to ask the seller for any form of documentation with regards to the car(service receipts, police/accident reports if any). Also, thoroughly inspect the exterior of the car for any differences in paint texture as this could be a sign of bodywork repair from a previous accident. Take the car for a test drive in areas with speed humps & fast stretches to see how the brakes & suspension fare with the driving.
One last tip—Registration
Registering the car has never been easier. New car buyers have their cars registered by the dealership but thanks to the Qatar Government app Metrash 2, fret not used car buyers! Metrash2 provides e-services for Qatari nationals and foreigners holding a Residence Permit(RP). One of the many services is the transfer of vehicle ownership which simply requires the car license plate number, buyer’s RP ID number & seller’s RP ID number. Voilah! You officially own a car in Qatar.
Thank you for reading! Feel free to drop a comment below if you have any questions on cars, I will be do my best to answer them. Lastly, don’t forget to check out, follow & like my car page on Instagram @fourwheelobsessions
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