National drives car ban

DUBAI // A clampdown on the illegal import and resale of damaged vehicles will come into force in May after an investigation by The National exposed the growing number of dangerous cars on our roads.

The Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology has announced a ban on the import, registration and insurance of vehicles that have been written off in other countries.

Detection software will be used to share information on chassis history with regulators. The directive will take effect on May 1.

Many of the vehicles have damaged safety features, with mechanics calling them “coffins on wheels”.

Julian Redman, managing director of operations at SilberArrows, a Mercedes-Benz specialist in Al Quoz, last year issued a warning about the increasing problem of dangerous cars being sold last year.

“SilberArrows welcomes the announcement from the authority on the ban of vehicle imports that have been written off in other markets,” Mr Redman said.

“They present an unsafe and dangerous option for not only the driver and their occupants but for all other road users, too.”

Reselling flood or fire-damaged cars written off by overseas insurers but repaired and exported to the UAE was highlighted in Dubai last year.

Mechanics at SilberArrows complete about 10 pre-purchase inspections a week for the second-hand car market. They found half had either been written off, or had their odometers wound back to make them appear newer.

Mileage can be manipulated using software normally used to alter vehicle settings when it is plugged into the car’s computer.

A standard Roads and Transport Authority inspection test takes about 15 minutes, with checks on exhaust emissions, brakes and the overall condition of the car.

A more detailed inspection is not always possible because of the high number of cars seen, but that will change with when up-to-date information of a car’s true history is shared.

“I don’t think the ban will affect anyone who legitimately wishes to import a decent and honest vehicle,” Mr Redman added.

“You could argue if the volume of used cars into the market falls then we could see a rise in prices, but I think this ban will simply clean up the reputation of the industry and give used car buyers a little more peace of mind.”

From May 1, importers must make sure the vehicles are free from damage or defect, and declare which are meant for re-export and which are for parts.

The UAE imports about 300,000 used vehicles a year, with German, Japanese and US markets the most common.

A spokesman for the authority said the measure should make roads safer for all.

“This action will focus on vehicles that should be irreparable that have been involved in a heavy crash or suffered damage through flood or fire,” he said.

“Those vehicles do not have the same safety measures and are usually defective. We are working on software that will make it easier to identify these vehicles. It is crucial to improve road safety.”

Shahzad Sheikh, editor of Motoring Middle East, said not all repaired salvage cars were dangerous but they could be too expensive for insurers to repair through registered garages.

“Consumers should always do their due diligence,” Sheikh said. “Yes, we have seen dangerous cars imported for a long time but cars that have been damaged are also being repaired and resold within the UAE.

“A wide database of information on vehicle history is the best way to protect consumers, as it can be a minefield to buy a used car here.

“Any steps to avoid flood, fire damaged or cut-and-shut cars, where two cars are joined together, is welcomed.”