A used hybrid or electric car needs two checks before you buy: the car itself, and the high-voltage battery. A QARO pre-purchase inspection covers the car where it is parked, with 23 points including an OBD scan of fault codes and a road test, starting from AED 325 in any emirate. The health of the high-voltage battery is a dealer check: ask for it, and check whether the battery is still under the manufacturer’s warranty.
What to check, and who checks it
| Check | Who does it | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Body, suspension, brakes, tyres, AC, electrics, underbody, road test | QARO pre-purchase inspection | The condition of the car, with a report of recommended repairs |
| Fault codes in the car’s computers | QARO inspection (OBD scan), or engine diagnostics on its own | Faults stored in the car’s computers, including the ones behind a warning light |
| The 12V battery | QARO inspection | Whether it needs replacing soon |
| High-voltage battery health | The manufacturer’s dealer | How much capacity the battery has left |
| Battery and car warranty | The dealer, with the car’s details | What is still covered, and whether it carries over to you |
Questions to ask the seller
- Is there a service history, and where was the car serviced?
- Has the high-voltage battery or the hybrid system ever been repaired or replaced?
- For an EV: what range does it get on a full charge now, and how was it usually charged?
- Can you show the registration card (mulkiya), and are you the registered owner?
Prices
| QARO service | Price |
|---|---|
| Vehicle inspection, 23 points at the car, about two hours | Starting from AED 325, VAT included |
| Engine diagnostics, OBD scan only | Starting from AED 100 |
What a QARO inspection is not
It is not a high-voltage battery health test, and it is not the RTA test for registration, which only an authorised testing centre issues.
FAQs
- Can QARO test the hybrid battery? QARO’s inspection reads the car’s fault codes and checks the 12V battery. The high-voltage battery’s health is a dealer check.
- Where is the inspection done? Where the car is: the seller’s home, office or a car park, in any emirate.
- Should I buy a used hybrid with no service history? Be careful. Get the inspection and the dealer battery check first, and use the results to decide or to negotiate.