During possession, defendant accumulated Dh2,680 in fines; original owner remains liable until transfer finalized.
In a landmark ruling, the Al Ain Court of Civil, Commercial, and Administrative Claims has mandated that a car buyer must pay Dh20,000 to the seller for an outstanding vehicle purchase and associated legal obligations. The judgment underscores the city’s rigorous approach to upholding contractual and regulatory responsibilities.
The case involved a vehicle valued at Dh20,000, sold to the buyer who failed to complete the payment. During the period he had possession of the car, he incurred traffic violations totaling Dh2,680, which prevented the original owner from renewing the vehicle’s registration.
The plaintiff filed a lawsuit demanding:
- Full payment of the sale price (Dh20,000)
- Transfer of the Dh2,680 traffic fines to the defendant’s traffic record
- Dh4,000 in compensation for reputational and financial damages resulting from his inability to register other vehicles.
The Al Ain court ruled decisively in the plaintiff’s favour by ordering the defendant to pay the agreed sale price in full. However, it rejected the additional compensation claim and the demand to reassign the traffic fines.
In its ruling, the court highlighted key regulations governing vehicle ownership transfer: The seller must notify licensing authorities within 14 days, providing transfer documents, while the buyer must submit an official transfer request—including registration card, deed, identity proof, insurance, and a clear traffic record. Until this is completed, the seller remains legally accountable for all vehicle-related obligations—such as fines and renewal restrictions.
This verdict reinforces both contractual enforcement and regulatory compliance in Al Ain Court, particularly around timely transfer protocols—a critical reminder for both buyers and sellers in private automotive transactions.