Paul Willetts of Gemini Automotive Solutions checks a car engine for leaks. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Paul Willetts of Gemini Automotive Solutions checks a car engine for leaks. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Paul Willetts of Gemini Automotive Solutions checks a car engine for leaks. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Paul Willetts of Gemini Automotive Solutions checks a car engine for leaks. Chris Whiteoak / The National

How UAE residents are saving thousands on buying second-hand cars


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Motorist Aimee Middleton thought she had found her ideal pre-owned vehicle, priced within budget and in good condition.

But all was not as it appeared — further investigation revealed the SUV had covered considerably more kilometres than its odometer suggested and the Briton narrowly avoided buying a potential money pit on wheels.

Having made the decision to switch from leasing to ownership last autumn after almost seven years in Dubai, Ms Middleton, a teacher and triathlete, set her sights on securing a Mitsubishi Pajero or Kia Sportage.

With help from an automotive consultant, she found a 12-year-old comparably-spaced Volkswagen Tiguan with 75,000km “on the clock”.

“I needed something with five doors that would fit my bike in the back,” Ms Middleton, 35, tells The National.

“We’d looked at a few cars, I loved that this Tiguan had a panoramic sunroof and decided I wanted it.”

Before putting down a deposit, however, her car expert ran a historical check that revealed the VW had actually covered 300,000km and its odometer had been altered.

“The car looked in such good condition so their mileage made sense,” says Ms Middleton, who lives in Sports City, Dubai.

“If I’d have bought that car I wouldn’t have got anything, I would have basically been throwing that money in the bin. The things that could go wrong with it, the dishonesty … I was massively relieved.”

Aimee Middleton sits in the driver's seat of her new car that specialist Paul Willetts helped her to buy. Pawan Singh / The National
Aimee Middleton sits in the driver's seat of her new car that specialist Paul Willetts helped her to buy. Pawan Singh / The National

The expert who spared Ms Middleton financial heartache and later found her another Tiguan, one that was six years old for Dh34,500 ($9,390) with a genuine 75,764km on the clock, was Paul Willetts.

Building on strong local market knowledge and understanding gleaned while working for two of Dubai’s largest motor retailers, Mr Willetts launched Gemini Automotive Solutions in January 2020.

He helps buyers and sellers navigate the potential used-vehicle “minefield” towards trouble-free vehicles or new owners, largely via personal recommendations.

Ms Middleton contacted Mr Willetts after deciding she would be financially better off buying a car, but was wary of “sellers' tricks”.

“I was leasing and knew I was throwing money down the drain. I really needed to buy because I know I’m going to be here for a few years, but was afraid to take that first step, she says”

Mr Willetts, a father of one, defines his role as “advising and assisting with all aspects of vehicle ownership” in Dubai and says Gemini was established to help motorists have a “good experience” when buying or selling a vehicle.

“A car is one of the biggest purchases we will likely ever make, so why is it that most people here have had an awful experience when finding their next car?” Mr Willetts says.

“Even more so when selling with all the ‘last price’ warriors and 'tyre kickers' making what can be a stressful time even worse.”

Car specialist Paul Willetts set up his company Gemini to help residents buy the right vehicle or sell it for the best price. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Car specialist Paul Willetts set up his company Gemini to help residents buy the right vehicle or sell it for the best price. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Mr Willetts, who lives at Town Square in Dubai, first envisaged a fee-based service when someone mentioned their trepidation at having to sell their car before leaving the UAE.

He offered to handle it instead, listed the car and sold it for double what the owner had anticipated.

Mr Willetts has evolved his business to maximise customer returns and convenience under the Gemini-Sell label. Meanwhile, for a flat Dh2,500 fee, Gemini-Buy helps people purchase “a good quality car, at a reasonable price, in the safest possible way”. The business can also handle finance, vehicle inspections, tyres and servicing, plus registration renewals.

With supply shortages inflating new and used car prices, buyers want reasonable deals but can be susceptible to scams, Mr Willetts says.

“There are countless situations people have found themselves in. Many of my friends and clients have a story or two about nightmare situations relating to cars,” he says.

Mladen Zivanovic thought he had secured a fair deal for a car five months after moving to Dubai from Serbia to take up a volleyball coaching role.

Having decided to end his car lease, Mr Zivanovic found a Nissan Versa on the market for Dh17,000 via an online platform.

“The seller told me the car was in really good shape, no accidents and I trusted him,” Mr Zivanovic, of Dubai Hills, recalls.

Mechanical investigations into a persistent clunking noise revealed the car came from the US, where it had been written off in an accident and rebuilt using other vehicle parts.

This was confirmed by the chassis number, while an odometer reading of 124,000 was revealed as miles, not kilometres — multiplying the distance it had been driven by 1.6 times.

“I was new in Dubai, starting my career and that was like my last money, my whole savings,” Mr Zivanovic, 27, says.

“So I decided to sell the car to find a solution, but you cannot sell at the same price.”

It was then that Mr Zivanovic contacted Mr Willetts after a friend passed on his number.

Mr Willetts helped sell the Nissan to a fully informed new owner at a significant Dh4,000 discount, although more than the Dh3,000 to Dh4,000 being offered by some.

Mladen Zivanovic was originally sold a car that had been written off and ended up buying a Ford Fiesta with Paul Willetts' help. Victor Besa / The National
Mladen Zivanovic was originally sold a car that had been written off and ended up buying a Ford Fiesta with Paul Willetts' help. Victor Besa / The National

Mr Willetts then helped Mr Zivanovic secure a fully inspected five-year-old Ford Fiesta two months later for Dh22,000, once the motorist had recovered from his losses and saved more cash. Mr Zivanovic says the ordeal was a costly “learning experience”.

Meanwhile, Mr Willetts says “minefield” is an overused but accurate cliche when describing the second-hand vehicle buying process.

“It is a regular occurrence for major accident cars and write-offs to be cheaply repaired and put back on the road,” Mr Willetts says.

“Similarly common are ‘clocked’ cars where the mileage has been reduced to line the dealer’s pocket further … this puts the owner at considerable financial risk and, most importantly, into a potentially unsafe vehicle."

It is a regular occurrence for major accident cars and write-offs to be cheaply repaired and put back on the road
Paul Willetts,
founder of Gemini Automotive Solutions

Lauren Vayro, 27, had previously owned cars in her native UK, but had been leasing since moving to Dubai in 2020.

She wanted to buy, but had “many concerns” about sourcing a reliable, good-value vehicle by herself.

“After hearing of some friends’ experiences, I was worried about visiting a dealership alone and finding a car,” Ms Vayro, a teacher who lives at Studio City in Dubai, says.

“I have minimal car knowledge and had heard that buying a car here can be very complicated.”

She contacted Mr Willetts following a friend’s recommendation.

Ms Vayro bought a Nissan Juke in March with 92,000km on the clock that was within her “strict budget” of Dh35,000.

Dubai-based teacher Lauren Vayro bought a Nissan Juke with the help of Paul Willetts. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Dubai-based teacher Lauren Vayro bought a Nissan Juke with the help of Paul Willetts. Chris Whiteoak / The National

“I definitely feel as though I made the right choice. If it were not for his help, I would still be using a rental. He helped me get a great deal and has since helped recommend mechanics and service providers that I can trust,” she says.

Gemini, meanwhile, is expanding amid rising demand from both buyers and sellers, who Mr Willetts also charges a flat fee plus commission above an agreed target price.

“I have recently had to recruit a staff member to help with the workload, as I have so many enquiries for people needing our help,” he says.

“I have never advertised anywhere and all new clients come from past ones, which is fantastic for them and for me as the trust and understanding is already there once I explain the services.”

Ms Middleton, for one, is happy she called an expert rather than risking her funds alone.

“I feel I’ve saved money in the long run [and] a lot of stress in the long run as well,” she says.

“The whole process would have taken me quite a lot longer and I just needed it done.

“You have to decide when you’re making a big purchase like this what’s worth spending money on and I would happily pay [a fee] for that peace of mind.”

Abaya trends

The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.

The Facility’s Versatility

Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
And yet scoring has remained high, and Abu Dhabi has seen some classic encounters in every format of the game.
 
October 18, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad
The two playoff-chasing sides put on 163 apiece, before Kolkata went on to win the Super Over
 
January 8, ODI, UAE beat Ireland by six wickets
A century by CP Rizwan underpinned one of UAE’s greatest ever wins, as they chased 270 to win with an over to spare
 
February 6, T10, Northern Warriors beat Delhi Bulls by eight wickets
The final of the T10 was chiefly memorable for a ferocious over of fast bowling from Fidel Edwards to Nicholas Pooran
 
March 14, Test, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets
Eleven wickets for Rashid Khan, 1,305 runs scored in five days, and a last session finish
 
June 17, PSL, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 15 runs
Usman Khawaja scored a hundred as Islamabad posted the highest score ever by a Pakistan team in T20 cricket

UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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Thank You for Banking with Us

Director: Laila Abbas

Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum

Rating: 4/5

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Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

French Touch

Carla Bruni

(Verve)

The bio

Academics: Phd in strategic management in University of Wales

Number one caps: His best-seller caps are in shades of grey, blue, black and yellow

Reading: Is immersed in books on colours to understand more about the usage of different shades

Sport: Started playing polo two years ago. Helps him relax, plus he enjoys the speed and focus

Cars: Loves exotic cars and currently drives a Bentley Bentayga

Holiday: Favourite travel destinations are London and St Tropez

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What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE

Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.

SERIE A FIXTURES

Friday (UAE kick-off times)

Sassuolo v Bologna (11.45pm)

Saturday

Brescia v Torino (6pm)

Inter Milan v Verona (9pm)

Napoli v Genoa (11.45pm)

Sunday

Cagliari v Verona (3.30pm)

Udinese v SPAL (6pm)

Sampdoria v Atalanta (6pm)

Lazio v Lecce (6pm)

Parma v Roma (9pm)

Juventus v Milan (11.45pm)

 

Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE

Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:

• Buy second hand stuff

 They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.

• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres

 Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.

• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.

Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.

• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home

Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.

Updated: July 08, 2022, 5:00 AM