Quick answer
To sell a car in the UAE you normally need the registered owner's Emirates ID and the vehicle registration card (Mulkiya). If the car was financed, you also need the bank's clearance letter. If someone else is selling for the owner, they need a valid power of attorney, and company cars need the trade licence and authorised signatory documents. All fines must be cleared.
Paperwork is the part of selling a car that catches people out, particularly when a loan, a company or an absent owner is involved. Use this checklist before you list the car or ask for an offer, and the sale itself will be much quicker.
The core documents for every sale
| Document | Why it's needed |
|---|---|
| Registered owner's Emirates ID | Identifies the owner on the traffic file |
| Vehicle registration card (Mulkiya) | Identifies the car and its registration |
| Car keys, including the spare | Buyers expect them, and missing keys can affect the price |
That's genuinely it for a simple sale of a privately owned car with no loan and no fines.
Extra documents for common situations
The car has a loan
- Settlement letter from the bank showing the payoff amount
- Clearance letter or NOC after the loan is paid, so the mortgage can be removed
More detail: can I sell a car with a loan in the UAE?
Someone else is selling for the owner
- A valid power of attorney that covers selling the vehicle
- The attorney's own Emirates ID or passport as required
- The owner's ID copy
The car belongs to a company
- Trade licence
- Authorised signatory's Emirates ID
- Authorisation letter where the signatory isn't named on the licence
- Any company stamp or board resolution the authority requires
The car is being exported or scrapped
- The documents above, plus
- The number plates, which are usually surrendered on cancellation
- Any export documents needed for the destination
The owner has passed away
Selling a deceased owner's car requires legal authority through the estate, which usually involves the courts. Get legal advice for this situation.
Before the sale: things to clear
- All fines on the vehicle's file. See how to clear fines and Salik before selling.
- Any loan, with a clearance letter.
- Salik or Darb accounts linked to the plate.
Nice to have
These aren't required but can help the price:
- Service history and invoices
- Recent diagnosis or inspection reports
- Receipts for major repairs like a new gearbox or tyres
Documents by situation at a glance
| Situation | Extra documents needed |
|---|---|
| Private car, no loan | Emirates ID, Mulkiya |
| Financed car | Settlement letter, then bank clearance letter |
| Owner abroad or unavailable | Valid power of attorney, attorney's ID |
| Company car | Trade licence, signatory's ID, authorisation letter |
| Scrapping or exporting | Plates, plus export documents if relevant |
| Accident car | Police report, insurer letters if a claim was made |
| Lost Mulkiya | Replacement from the traffic authority |
Common paperwork problems that delay sales
- Expired Emirates ID on the day of transfer
- Loan paid but mortgage still showing because the bank hasn't sent clearance
- Fines from another emirate that weren't checked
- Power of attorney wording that doesn't mention the vehicle
- Company signatory who isn't authorised for vehicle disposals
- Registered owner not available on the day
Checking these a few days before the sale saves wasted trips, and gives you time to fix anything that's missing. For fines specifically, read how to clear fines and Salik before selling. For selling on someone's behalf, see using a power of attorney to sell a car.
Printable checklist
- Emirates ID (registered owner)
- Mulkiya
- All keys
- Bank settlement and clearance letters (if financed)
- Power of attorney (if selling for someone else)
- Company documents (if company-owned)
- Plates (if cancelling)
- Fines cleared
- Service records (optional)
If you'd rather not deal with any of it, we buy cars as-is and handle the transfer or cancellation for you.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a no objection letter to sell a car?
Can I sell a car if my Emirates ID has expired?
Can I sell my car with an expired Mulkiya?
What if I've lost my Mulkiya?
Can I sell a car registered in my spouse's name?
Do I need the original purchase invoice?
Written by the JunkMyCar Editorial Team
Published 17 September 2026. Last checked and updated 17 September 2026.
We write from the day-to-day work of buying damaged and non-running cars across the UAE, and check legal and procedural points against official sources such as RTA, TAMM and the Central Bank of the UAE. Rules and fees change, so confirm anything important with the relevant authority. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.