know your papers
Document essentials for buying second hand: Matching the lines and adding the numbers

Do you know Arabic, in which the mulkiya has been written?
If you don’t know Arabic, then get someone who does know the language to go through the mulkiya. Considering that this document will be the only proof that what you're buying is being sold legitimately and is not the product of theft, you should consider this part one of the most important in the entire endeavour.

How many times has the car changed hands?
Ownership history is to used cars what reviews in auto magazines are to new launches. It can tell you a lot about the car that you may be keen on acquiring. It is always better to buy a used vehicle from a single owner than buying a car that has changed hands multiple times. Past wisdom suggests that a single owner vehicle is likely to be better maintained than one that has been sold more frequently in the past.

Was the car used by a rental company or as a taxi?
The first line of the mulkiya will tell you the name of the owner and the licence plate number. Avoid buying the car if it has been used by a car rental company or as a taxi. As a rule such vehicles will have undergone a lot of extra wear and tear. They will also have run for many more kilometres than a car that has been used for private purposes only. Drivers also tend to use them with less care since they don’t own them.

Is the registered owner name and address the same as that of the seller?
Lines one and three on the back of the mulkiya will give you these details. Unless the car is being bought from the local used car dealer, there is no reason why the seller and the owner of the car should not be the same individual.

Do the colour, model, chassis and engine numbers on the mulkiya and the car match?
Lines three to eight on the front of the registration card provides details of the car's colour, year of manufacture, model, chassis number, engine number and other such details. If these vital points on the card do not match with the car then do not buy it.

Do the dates and kilometres of service match with those by the manufacturer?
Cars perform only when you take care of them. The service manual will tell you whether the car was maintained in 'top condition' as the classifieds suggested or whether you are being taken for a ride.

Mulkiya contents
Front:

• Line 1: Owner and vehicle registration number
• Line 2: Manufacturer’s name
• Line 3: Colour of car
• Line 4: Year of manufacture and model number
• Line 5: Engine capacity, net and gross weights
• Line 6: Model, passengers and driven wheels
• Line 7 and 8: Chassis and engine registration numbers
• Line 9: Issue and expiry

Back:

• Line 1: Owner
• Line 2: Nationality of owner
• Line 3: Address
• Line 4: Insurance company
• Line 5: Insurance number
• Line 6: Where insurance is valid
• Line 7: Date of first registration