Dubai, UAE – 5 January 2026 — Buying a used car in the UAE has traditionally been a leap of faith. Once the paperwork was signed and the keys exchanged, buyers were left with little recourse if issues surfaced later. CARS24, the global auto-tech platform, is now challenging that long-standing norm with the introduction of a first-of-its-kind 30-day return policy for used cars in the UAE.
Abhinav Gupta, CEO – CARS24 Arabia
The move aims to fundamentally shift risk away from buyers and bring greater accountability to the used-car ecosystem.
Marc, a UAE resident who relocated from London seven years ago, recalls his first experience buying a used car locally. What appeared to be a well-maintained Mercedes GLE soon revealed serious mechanical issues—weeks after the deal was completed.
“There was no return window,” Marc says. “Once the paperwork was done, that was it. I was stuck with a car that turned out to be a lemon.”
Stories like Marc’s are not uncommon in the used-car market, where short test drives often fail to reveal issues that only emerge through everyday use. CARS24’s new 30-day return policy is designed to address exactly this gap—allowing customers to buy a car, drive it in real-world conditions, and return it if it does not meet their expectations.
“If this policy had existed back then, I wouldn’t have been stuck,” Marc adds. “Knowing you can return the car removes the fear completely.”
Nearly four years ago, when most used-car transactions in the UAE were driven largely by trust, CARS24 introduced a 7-day return policy—an initiative that was widely considered bold at the time. That move helped reshape buyer expectations and gradually influenced industry practices.
The newly launched 30-day return window takes this commitment a step further.
Used-car purchases are significant, carefully considered decisions shaped by family requirements, daily commutes, parking constraints, and lifestyle needs—factors that cannot be fully evaluated during a brief test drive. Until now, buyers were required to commit without truly knowing whether a vehicle would fit their lives.
According to Abhinav Gupta, CEO of CARS24 Arabia, the policy is less about marketing and more about accountability.
“When you’re confident about the quality of your cars, you’re willing to stand behind them,” Gupta says. “This policy is us putting skin in the game.”
Every car sold on the platform undergoes more than 150 inspection and verification checks. However, CARS24 acknowledges that no inspection report can fully substitute for real-life usage.
“Trust isn’t built by saying the right things,” Gupta adds. “It’s built by giving customers control. This is about making car buying less stressful, more transparent, and more honest.”
The UAE’s used-car market has expanded rapidly in recent years, driven by digital platforms, improved inspection standards, and growing consumer awareness. Despite this evolution, return policies have largely remained unchanged—until now.
By introducing a 30-day return policy, CARS24 is setting a new benchmark and quietly challenging the industry to rethink what buyer protection should look like in a modern automotive marketplace.
The 30-day return policy is now live on eligible used cars purchased through CARS24 in the UAE.
About CARS24
CARS24 is a global auto-tech company focused on simplifying car buying, selling, and ownership through technology-driven, customer-first solutions. In the UAE, CARS24 continues to expand its offerings with a strong emphasis on transparency, quality, and trust.