If you're selling a registered car in the UAE, then you may be confused, and perhaps think it's even impossible. Whatever the circumstances are that led to your vehicle becoming unregistered, from suspension after years of not being used, from a failed RTA test or major accidents, or whatever other reason odd reason, there are many car owners around Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and other Emirates, that are in the same boat - and that is you are stuck with a vehicle that you haven't driven in a long time, and don't know what next.
Here at MyScrapCars.com, we specialize in buying unregistered, scrap, damaged, and unwanted vehicles for cash, so whatever the reason is, I can assure you that you are in good hands. In this blog post, we will go through everything that you need to know and understand about selling an unregistered car legally and quickly in the UAE, why the traditional approaches often fall short, and how our scrap car buying service is the best option available to you.
What Does It Mean for a Car to be Unregistered?
An unregistered car has not been renewed through the RTA (Roads and Transport Authority) or the relevant authority in other Emirates. This means it is not legally insured and does not have an inspection clearance. It is illegal to drive an unregistered car on public roads.
The most common reasons for a car becoming unregistered are:
- Failure to pass the annual RTA vehicle inspection,
- The owner is leaving and abandoning the car for a long time.
- Mechanical or electric failure,
- Accidents or fire,
- The owner is leaving the UAE without renewing the registration.
Whether your car is a 2020 model that failed the test, or a 2005 car covered in dust, the one nice thing is that you can still sell an unregistered car - you just need to choose the right process.
Why is Selling an Unregistered Car in the UAE Difficult?
Most conventional methods of selling a scrap car - via private sellers, general classifieds online - require a car to have up-to-date registration and insurance, as an unregistered car will not be appealing to buyers, because:
- Buyers want to drive the car immediately - not wait to register it.
- Unregistered cars raise red flags about the condition of the car and its history.
- Transferring ownership without registration can be messy.
- Buyers have a fear of hidden costs - such as fines, impound fees, and failed inspections.
If you are selling your car via general listings on sites or through general selling platforms, expect ongoing rejections, delays, and low offers - if offers are coming in at all.
The Ultimate Guide to Selling an Unregistered Car in the UAE
If you're looking to sell an unregistered car in Dubai or anywhere in the UAE, the easiest and fastest way is to use a scrap car buying service like MyScrapCars.com. We buy all vehicles regardless of registration status, and you don't need to renew anything, pay any fines, or repair it.
Here is how it works:
- No registration
- We buy non-working, old, or damaged vehicles
- Free towing from your location
- Cash paid on the same day
- No need for a listing or advertisement
- We do the paperwork and RTA deregistration
Instead of finding a buyer who is willing to take a risk, we keep it simple. Call us, get a free quote, and turn your unregistered vehicle into cash in a few hours.
How MyScrapCars.com Works?
Step 1: Get a free car valuation
Go to MyScrapCars.com and provide the details of the car, including make, model, year, condition, and whether it has valid registration. Our system provides a fast, fair quote based on the current scrap car market value in the UAE.
Step 2: Accept the offer
Once you accept our obligation-free quote, we arrange for the car to be picked up on the same day. This applies to wherever your car is parked: at home, in the basement of a building, or even in a remote area.
Step 3: Cash and paperwork in your hand!
Our staff will come to you, fill out the necessary ownership transfer or deregistration through the RTA channels, and pass over cash instantly. You do not need to visit an office for paperwork, and you do not pay fees.
We operate in Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, and across all Emirates.
If I Have Fines Or I need to renew the Registration Before Selling it?
No. We are clear that you don’t need to renew the registration or pay fines before the sale at MyScrapCars. We buy cars in any condition, including those that have:
- Expired registration
- Failed RTA inspection
- Traffic fines or pending papers
- No insurance
- Lost or broken number plates
We will assist you through any RTA procedures required to scrap or sell the car legally. If you are apprehensive about paperwork or documentation, we will do it for you.
Is it Legal to sell an Unregistered car to a Private Buyer?
In theory, yes — but in practice, it is much more of a challenge! Private used buyers in Dubai or the UAE have no interest in purchasing an unregistered car unless:
- The car is in good condition and repairable.
- The buyer is an operator of a garage or workshop.
- You sell it for next to nothing, many times selling it below the market rate.
To make it worse, even if someone agrees to purchase, the procedure for transferring ownership will be even more convoluted; this gets magnified if there are fines outstanding or documents are missing. You might also remain liable for the car if it is not transferred properly.
Why Should MyScrapCars Be Your First Choice Over Other Car Buying Dealers?
At MyScrapCars.com, we are not just another car dealer or online dealer. We only specialize in scrap, junk, damaged, or unregistered cars. Our mission is to help UAE car owners with their unwanted cars quickly, legally, and in exchange for cash.
We provide:
- Value for money based on vehicle age, weight, and parts value
- Free towing within 24 hours
- RTA document
- Customer service from friendly professionals — trusted and relied upon by thousands of customers
- No waiting for repairs, putting up ads, or renewing registration
You will win by getting cash from a wrecked or unregistered car, even when others told you it was worth nothing.
Final Thoughts
An unregistered vehicle in your garage or driveway is doing more than wasting your space — it is also a potential liability. The longer it sits idly, the chances of receiving fines grow, the possibility of being towed grows, or there is potential for it being towed by authorities when parked where it shouldn't be.
There is no better time than now, so don’t delay any longer. With MyScrapCars.com, we can make sure your unregistered car is sold in Dubai or anywhere in the UAE in just a few hours, with zero headaches and zero financial risk to you. Whether the car is completely dead, has failed RTA tests, or has been sitting idle for some time, we will take your car and pay you cash on the spot!
FAQs
Is it possible to sell a car without registration in Dubai?
Yes, MyScrapCars.com will buy any type of car, even if it has expired registration or is completely unregistered.
Will I need to renew my registration before selling?
No. We will take any unregistered car, without renewal, and we will do the de-registration with the RTA for you.
How much will I get for my unregistered car?
It all depends on the car’s make, model, year, and condition. You can get a free, instant quote from our website.
Is the process legal and safe?
Yes. We follow all of the UAE legal processes for sale, transfer of ownership, and scrapping of vehicles. You will receive legal documents from us, and cash immediately.
