My experience buying a used car from Kavak Dubai (July 2026) - Wouldn't do it again
Title: My experience buying a used car from Kavak Dubai (July 2026) - Good car, disappointing buying experience
I took delivery of a used car from Kavak a couple of days ago, and after everything that happened, I don't think I'd buy another car from them again.
I originally visited the Al Quoz branch after seeing an Instagram ad for a different car. Once I got there, I realized the advertised trim didn't actually have the features that the manufacturer's website lists for that variant. That was my first red flag.
Since there weren't any salespeople available for walk-in customers, I was assigned an intern. He wasn't familiar with every detail of the cars in stock, but he genuinely tried to help. After I explained what I was looking for, he searched through the inventory and pointed me towards another car that matched my requirements much better. Looking back, he was probably the most helpful person I dealt with throughout the entire process.
I did a short test drive inside their yard, which wasn't really enough to evaluate the car properly, and was told I needed to reserve the car before arranging an independent inspection. In hindsight, I probably shouldn't have done that because once the reservation was made, it felt like the level of engagement dropped considerably.
I booked my own inspection through InspectMotors, and I'm glad I did. The inspection identified older tyres, a slight crack in the rear suspension bush, and a repainted front bumper. I didn't see these items reflected in the report that had been provided to me by Kavak.
I also discovered that the car wasn't actually the advertised variant. It had been listed as a higher trim level, but the vehicle itself was a lower trim. When I raised this, I was told it was the higher variant and one of the explanations given referred to features that the vehicle simply didn't have. We never reached a resolution on that point, and there was no apology or adjustment to the price.
While verifying the service history directly with the manufacturer, I was informed that one of the scheduled services had been carried out outside the authorised service network, which meant the manufacturer's warranty had already lapsed. I don't recall this being discussed during the purchase process, even after I brought it to their attention.
Despite these issues, there was very little room for negotiation. The only options I was offered were a small discount with free servicing or a slightly larger discount with complimentary window tinting.
I was also exploring a trade-in for my existing car. I received what I felt was a very low valuation without the vehicle being properly inspected. I declined the offer. I was also told I wouldn't qualify for the Emirates Platinum trade-in bonus, despite that promotion being prominently advertised. When I enquired again about a week later, I was offered roughly half of the already low valuation from the previous visit, which I found difficult to understand.
The financing process was another disappointment. The loan approval took over a week, and I found myself following up directly with the bank because I wasn't receiving regular updates from the person handling my application. Most of the communication I received focused on optional add-ons rather than the actual progress of the loan.
One thing I still don't understand is the AED 4,000 convenience fee. I left the process without a clear understanding of what that fee covered because it wasn't explained to me in detail. I also requested the warranty terms and only then discovered important exclusions, including turbocharger-related issues. Since these exclusions hadn't been explained beforehand, I decided not to purchase the warranty.
Collection day at the Festival Plaza branch was probably the most disappointing part of the entire experience.
I was asked to complete the digital vehicle checklist before anyone even showed me where the car was. I eventually found it myself and started inspecting it alone. Someone came over briefly, pointed out that a couple of accessories were inside the vehicle, and encouraged me to complete the checklist quickly because it was "just a standard checklist." There was no proper handover, nobody walked me through the car's features, and the vehicle was handed over with dirty wheels and tyres.
After collecting the car, I shared my feedback about the overall experience. I received a prompt apology, but nothing further happened to address the concerns I had raised.
To be fair, the car itself has been good so far. It's only been a couple of days, but mechanically I haven't encountered any issues. I still believe it was a good purchase for my needs.
My disappointment isn't with the vehicle itself. It's with the buying experience.
For a company that charges an AED 4,000 convenience fee and promotes a hassle-free buying experience, I expected better communication, clearer explanations, accurate listings, and a more professional handover process.
If you're considering buying from Kavak, I'd strongly recommend arranging your own independent inspection, verifying the exact trim level and specifications yourself, checking the service history directly with the manufacturer where possible, reading the warranty terms carefully before agreeing to them, and making sure you're comfortable with all fees before proceeding.