What Paperwork Needed to Deregister a Wrecked Car in the UAE

When your car is completely damaged, totalled, or no longer safe to drive, one of the major responsibilities is to officially remove it from the UAE road system (deregister a wrecked car). Many Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, and other Emirates residents feel confused about where to start and what paperwork you needed and what needs to be deregistered. To be honest, it is simple once you know the correct RTA paperwork. 

This detailed guide will explain the paperwork needed to deregister a wrecked car in UAE, where to apply, how to avoid the delay in deregistration, and what to do with the wrecked car when you are done - whether it is to "sell a wrecked car", "sell an abandoned car", or "legally get rid of a non-running car" etc.

Why Deregistering a Wrecked Car is Important in the UAE?

Whether your car is coded "kharab" or wrecked, an inoperable vehicle must be deregistered to avoid fines, legal issues, and to avoid renewal charges. If your car is wrecked in an accident, exported for scrap, abandoned or an engine-damaged beyond repair, the law in the UAE requires the deregistration of your vehicle.

If you do not terminate the registration of your damaged car, you could have:

• Yearly renewed fines.
• Traffic file issues.
• Insurance issues.
• Issues selling or transferring your vehicle at a later date.

In short, to avoid all of those problems ultimately, you want to ensure the vehicle is deregistered with the RTA or your Emirate’s respective authority.

Documents Required for Dismantling a Wrecked Car in the UAE

The documentation is straightforward and can be gathered ahead of time to make your trip much quicker. The following is a list of the essential documents that you will need:

1. Original Emirates ID

Your original Emirates ID is necessary to use RTA services, including car dismantling. This is a standard form of identification confirming you are the owner of the car.

2. Original Car Registration Card (Mulkiya)

You will have to provide the Mulkiya (Vehicle Registration Card) in order to cancel the registration. If your Mulkiya was lost or is damaged, you will have to apply for a replacement prior to dismantling.

3. Number Plates (Both Plate Numbers)

It is necessary to return both front and rear plates in order to dismantle a wrecked vehicle. In the case the number plates are lost in an accident, you will need to obtain a Police Report to support the incident.

4. Police Clearance Report (Required for Accident or Total Loss)

If your car has been wrecked as a result of an accident or is deemed a total loss, you will be required to obtain a Police Clearance Report. The Police Report will confirm your vehicle is no longer drivable and can be dismantled.

It will also be needed if:

• The car was burned
• The vehicle was abandoned
• The car was involved in a serious accident
• The chassis number was damaged

This document is provided by the police of the relevant emirate.

5. Vehicle Cancellation Application (RTA Paperwork)

You must complete the vehicle cancellation application form, which you can obtain from either the RTA customer happiness centre or from one of their service providers (Tasjeel, Shamil, Tamam, Wasel, etc.), at home or in person at their location.

6. Clearance from Any Loan or Bank Mortgage

If the vehicle was financed through a bank or a loan, then the bank must provide an official letter clearing the mortgage before proceeding with the deregistration of the vehicle. You will not be able to clear the vehicle registration without first clearing the loan.

Ways to Cancel Registration of a Wrecked Car in the UAE? The Step-by-Step Process

You can complete the process in 15-20 minutes if you have all the documents prepared in advance.

When you deregister a vehicle, the first thing you should do is:

Step 1: Prepare all Necessary Documents

You will want to prepare your Emirates ID, Mulkiya, number plates and police report. This allows you to have a smoother visit with no delays.

Step 2: Visit Any of the RTA Centres or Testing Centres

You will want to visit any authorised vehicle testing centre, such as:

• Tasjeel
• Shamil
• ENOC Testing Centre
• Wasel
• Tamam
• RTA Customer Happiness Centre

Each Emirate has some of their own.

Step 3: Hand in the Documents and Number Plates

Hand the registration card, police clearance report and number plates to the clerk. The clerk will inspect everything before proceeding with the cancellation.

Step 4: Pay the Cancellation Fee

The service charge is typically low (50-70 AED) and varies based on the Emirate.

Step 5: Get the Vehicle Deregistration Certificate

After the process is completed, you will secure an official Vehicle Deregistration Certificate. This makes it official that the vehicle is no longer active.

This is required if you want to:

• Sell the vehicle for scrap
• Export the vehicle
• Claim insurance
• Dispose of the vehicle properly

Case Study: A Personal Story of Deregistering a Wrecked Car in Dubai

We will explore a real example to help you understand the process.

Ahmed Saad is a Dubai resident who lives in Al Nahda. He was in an accident, and his Toyota Camry was completely wrecked. His insurance company deemed his vehicle a total loss. The vehicle had been in the yard for a couple of weeks after the accident because Ahmed Saad didn't know what to do.

Finally, he reached out to a kharab car buyer in Dubai, who helped him through the process:

• Ahmed Saad got his Police Clearance Report from Dubai Police.
• He got his Mulkiya and Emirates ID.
• The buyer arranged to tow the damaged vehicle free of charge from the accident.
• Ahmed Saad went to Tasjeel Al Qusais and turned in his number plates.
• He completed the deregistration form, paid the fee, and received his certificate.

Half an hour later, everything was done, and the scrap buyer bought the car from Ahmed that same day and gave him cash a took the responsibility for removal and disposal.

When the correct paperwork is available, the process is really as easy as described.

Steps to Take After Getting Rid of a Wrecked Car in the UAE

When you get rid of an abandoned car, here are the things you can do: 

Selling Your Wrecked Car for Cash

Car buyers in the UAE will purchase:

• Accident Cars
• Abandoned Cars
• Damaged Cars
• Kharab Cars
• Not Running Vehicles
• Flooded Cars

You can obtain removal and instant payment from KharabCar for same-day service. 

Recycling the Car to a Licensed Scrapyard

If you plan on disposing of the car altogether, be sure to choose a licensed scrapyard (RTA).

Claim Insurance Benefits 

If your car was insured, you may need a deregistration certificate to complete the claim process. 

Conclusion

In the UAE, deregistering a wrecked car is a simple process as long as you know which paperwork you will need. You really only need to bring your Emirates ID, Mulkiya, number plates, and the police report. 

Whether your car is wrecked, abandoned or too damaged to repair, it is best to deregister it to avoid fines, legal issues, or unnecessary renewal fees. Once the paperwork is sorted, you can sell your old wrecked vehicle immediately to a safe and trustworthy buyer like KharabCar for cash and hassle-free removal. 

If you follow the steps in this guide, you will be able to do so quickly and confidently, without stress, confusion or delay.

FAQs

1. I want to deregister my car. Can I still do this even though I do not have the number plates?

Yes. However, you need to have a police report that indicates the plates have been lost or were damaged in the accident.

2. How long will the deregistration process take to complete?

If you have all the right documents ready, the actual process can take 10-20 minutes in any of the centers.

3. Do I need to have insurance in place in order to deregister the car?

No. The fact that the insurance is expired, means nothing in the deregistration process.

4. If I do not deregister my car, can I still sell my ruined car?

You can sell the car to a scrap buyer or a kharab car buyer, as they might do the paperwork for you, but it is better for you and safer and best for you legally if you do the deregistration first.

5. What do I do if I lost my Mulkiya?

You would have to pay for a replacement registration card from RTA prior to cancelling the registration.