Motorists have been warned about rogue traders tampering with vehicle mileage to push up sale prices.
A UAE car service centre has shown how easy it can be to dial back an odometer, prompting experts to raise the alarm with would-be customers looking for a bargain.
A popular social media video from Berlin Auto Service Centre in Al Ain shows how the meter reading of a Mercedes was cut from 114,000 kilometres to 38,000km.
Check RTA records to see if the car has suddenly lost miles between registrations, in particular if the mileage is low compared to the wear and tear of the car
Christopher Milbourne,
Dubizzle
In a recent incident, a buyer from Abu Dhabi found out that the Dh115,000 four-wheel drive she acquired second hand had done 300,000km, not the 65,000km advertised.
She took legal action against the seller, and a court ruled that the contract could be torn up and a full refund rewarded.
It was a victory for consumer rights, but a legal expert says buyers need to act fast to ensure justice is done.
“The UAE’s Civil Transactions Law protects the customers from cheating,” Mohammed Najeeb told The National.
“If the car buyer discovered a hidden flaw in the car like odometer rollback, then he has the right to file a case within six months of purchase.
“Car buyers have the right to cancel the contract and get a refund.
“Rollback is a type of cheating by the seller to cover flaws. The buyer should have a proof of odometer rollback presented to court, like a certificate from the car’s manufacturer.”
Article 555 of the law states that, if the buyer provides a guarantee of more than six months, the seller can still file a case.
Drivers urged to be vigilant
Ali Hassan, from second-hand car dealer Souq Al Haraj in Sharjah, said mileage greatly affects a vehicle's value and can help to indicate how long it will be roadworthy.
“As most cars have digital odometers, it can be rolled back by removing the vehicle’s circuit board to change the reading or using rollback equipment that hooks right into the electronics,” Mr Hassan said.
He advised buyers to conduct extensive checks, including service history, before agreeing to buy.
“There is a full check-up for the car at verified centres in the UAE. I always ask my clients to take the car for a test before buying it from my shop. Buying a car with hidden flaws means paying more than the vehicle is worth,” he said.
Dubizzle, the online classified ads website, advises prospective buyers to take steps to protect themselves from fraud.
“Check the Roads and Transport Authority records to see if the car has suddenly lost miles between registrations, in particular if the mileage is low compared to the wear and tear of the car, like the interior and steering wheel,” said Christopher Milbourne of Dubizzle.
“To avoid fraudulent behaviour, we recommend always opting for a pre-inspection report.
“At the Dubizzle cars hub in Al Quoz, we offer a highly detailed inspection service by our experts which provides you with a full report highlighting issues for complete transparency and peace of mind.”
Tips to avoid being caught out
- Buy a used car from a reliable source;
- Have the car independently inspected by an accredited garage;
- Ask for a detailed service history as the odometer readings will be registered at the service time;
- Check brake and gas pedals for wear and tear, as excessive wear on the pedals is an indication the mileage may be greater than displayed.
How to keep your car safe in the UAE heat - in pictures
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
What went into the film
25 visual effects (VFX) studios
2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots
1,000 VFX artists
3,000 technicians
10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers
New sound technology, named 4D SRL
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
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
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Founders: Ines Mena, Claudia Ribas, Simona Agolini, Nourhan Hassan and Therese Hundt
Date started: January 2017, app launched November 2017
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Private/Retail/Leisure
Number of Employees: 18 employees, including full-time and flexible workers
Funding stage and size: Seed round completed Q4 2019 - $1m raised
Funders: Oman Technology Fund, 500 Startups, Vision Ventures, Seedstars, Mindshift Capital, Delta Partners Ventures, with support from the OQAL Angel Investor Network and UAE Business Angels
