Buying a used car? Here’s how to check its accident history

Research and background checks are essential when buying a second-hand car to ensure that it is safe and reliable. You can check the vehicle’s accident history online before you close the deal to buy a used car.

A vehicle’s accident history affects its value and is an important consideration when buying a car. This is how you can find out if your car has been in an accident, whether you’re buying or selling.

How to check the accident history of a car?

In order to check the history, you need the chassis number, which is also known as the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The 17-digit number reveals the car’s manufacturer, where it came from, the engine details, and the accident history of the car.

Here are the four government sources where you can check the history online:

1. Ministry of Interior (MOI)
2. Emirates Vehicle Gate (EVG)
3. Abu Dhabi Police
4. Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)

Ministry of Interior (MOI)

Using the Ministry of Interior (MOI) to check a vehicle’s history is as follows:

1. Locate your vehicle’s chassis number.
2. You can then click on the ‘E-Services’ link on the MOI website – https://www.moi.gov.ae/.
3. Select a drop-down menu. Select ‘Traffic and Licensing’ and then ‘Accident Inquiry’.
4. Enter the chassis number.
5. Click the submit button, and the results will be displayed. The website shows the location of the accident, the date and time, and the report number if there was an accident.

Emirates Vehicle Gate (EVG)

By using Emirates Vehicle Gate (EVG) you can easily check a vehicle’s accident history. By using Emirates Vehicle Gate (EVG) you can easily check a vehicle’s accident history.

 It’s simple – all you have to do is visit this link https://evg.ae/_layouts/evg/trafficaccidents.aspx?language=en and click “search” after entering the chassis number.

Following this, the vehicle’s accident history report will appear, providing specific details of the accident, including time, location, and cause.

Abu Dhabi Police

Here are the steps to retrieve a vehicle’s history through Abu Dhabi Police:

1. First, go to https://www.adpolice.gov.ae/
2. Click on ‘E-services’ in the menu tab.
3. When you have landed on the ‘E-services’ portal, click on ‘Public Services’ and choose ‘Vehicle Accidents Inquiry’ from the drop-down menu.
4. Type the chassis number into the ‘Vehicle Accidents Inquiry’.
5. After that, you’ll be able to view the car’s accident history.

RTA

The RTA provides a service called ‘Technical Vehicle Status Certificate’ for Dubai residents.

 By using this service, users can receive a certificate indicating the status of a used vehicle. Details about the vehicle’s condition, insurance, and history are included in this report.

If you wish to see a vehicle’s record, you must pay a Dh100 certificate fee and a Dh20 Knowledge and Innovation fee, both of which are paid electronically via debit or credit card.

RTA service takes slightly longer since the previous owner receives an OTP (one-time-password) via SMS, and then agrees to disclose the vehicle’s information.

Here are the steps:

1. First, visit this link – https://www.rta.ae/wps/portal/rta/ae/home/rta-services/service-details?serviceId=5810003
2. Click on the red ‘Apply Now’ button.
3. Next, you will be transferred to another portal, where you will have to accept the terms and conditions of the online service.
4. Click on ‘Apply for service’ and enter the chassis number.
5. The accident history of the car can be accessed once the OTP is sent to the previous owner and approved to reveal the car’s record.

How can one find the chassis number?

You can find your chassis number in several ways:

• On the back of the registration card, you can find the chassis number of the car.
• The number is printed on the driver’s side of the dashboard.
• The side door.
• If you can’t find it, you can go to the dealership where you purchased the car.