Yup, there's no problem "importing" a car from any other Emirate, as long as it has vaild reg in that Emirate and it passes the Abu Dhabi ADNOC inspection as it stands (ie, not based on what it was before, just based on what it is today).Sam wrote:That is absolutely doable. However, I doubt that they will be able to transfer OR re-register the UAQ/RAK LHD-converted cars in AD. As far as I have tried doing that before, it should be a tough job to get that done, especially in Abu Dhabi.stone-head wrote:any way 2 make short story , I know local guys here in AD who are willing 2 buy rak/uaq cars since I can't & then after its registered here in AD , I'll buy them back from them , to be registered by my name!!!!
do you guys think this is feasible & doable ???
The inspection is strict, though, as it is a "fresh inspection" and not simply "renewal".
The procedure does have a few problems. Here it is:
Buyer and Seller go to the Emirate of registration and do the ownership transfer (no inspection) and issue "export" plates with 3-day insurance. Buyer pays money and drives to Abu Dhabi Emirate. Within 3 days Buyer goes through ADNOC inspection and with passing paper then registers as usual with insurance and visa sponsor letter.
The problems can be two kinds. If the ADNOC inspectors fail the car because the details on the export paper do not match the car (colour, chassis no., engine no., number of passengers, etc.) or because there is a non-repairable mechanical problem (chassis damage, etc.) or because it is stated this was a "cancelled car" or LHD conversion or similar - IF this happens the new Buyer can be in trouble because he legally already owns the car and has already paid.
Abu Dhabi ADNOC will stamp "return to origin" on the passing paper, and the car cannot be registered. The Buyer must take it back to the Emirate of origin, find the Seller to come to the Traffic Police, transfer the car back into his name and return the money!
So, the solution to this problem is insist that the car pass inspection in the Emirate of origin before buying it, even if it is not required. Everybody will say it is not needed - the Seller, the traffic police, the inspectors - just insist.
The good news is that if the car has been modded (engine swap, whatever) and it passes the inspection at the Emirate of origin, you can have those mods added to the export paper, so that when you get to Abu Dhabi (and it passes inspection) you have a legally modded car.
Abu Dhabi and Dubai traffic police do not share registration database (not sure other Emirates, but I suppose same same) - this means the only thing the Abu Dhabi reg people see about that car coming in is the export paper - no other history at all.
So make sure you understand exactly what's on that export paper. It must not say LHD conversion, or V8 LS1 engine swapped in or any other note that will cause ADNCO to fail it - plus, it must pass regular "fresh" inspection.