Al Ain Court Cancels Defective Car Sale, Orders Seller to Refund Dh98,000 to Buyer

Al Ain Court of Civil, Commercial and Administrative Cases has cancelled a vehicle sale agreement and ordered the seller to refund Dh98,000 to the buyer after the car was found to have serious hidden defects.

The case was filed by a buyer who said he responded to a social media advertisement offering a vehicle described as being in good and usable condition. Based on the seller’s claims, he agreed to purchase the car for Dh98,000, paying Dh92,500 in cash and Dh5,500 through bank transfers.

However, shortly after taking possession of the vehicle, the buyer said the car suffered a breakdown. An inspection conducted at the authorised agency revealed major defects affecting the engine, transmission and electronic systems. The technical report also found that the vehicle had previously been submerged in water, indicating undisclosed damage.

The buyer approached the court seeking cancellation of the sale and recovery of the amount paid.

After reviewing the evidence, the court ruled in favour of the buyer, terminating the sales contract and ordering the vehicle to be returned to the seller. The seller was also directed to repay the full purchase amount of Dh98,000 received from the buyer.

The ruling reinforces the principle that sellers may be held liable for hidden defects that materially affect a vehicle’s value, safety or usability, particularly when such defects were not disclosed before the sale.