Quick Answer: Buying a used car in Qatar involves five key steps: find the car (Q Motor, Hatla2ee, QatarSale, or a used car showroom), check the Istimara and verify outstanding traffic fines before paying a single riyal, agree on price and sign a sale agreement, transfer insurance into your name, then complete the ownership transfer through Metrash or at the Traffic Department. The single most important step is verifying fines first — outstanding violations block the transfer and become your problem if you are not careful.

Qatar is one of the best countries in the world to buy a used car. The expat population turns over vehicles frequently — contract professionals typically change cars every three to five years — which means the market is consistently stocked with well-maintained, relatively young vehicles at competitive prices. A regulatory cap prevents vehicles older than fifteen years from being registered in Qatar, so the used car pool skews toward newer, better-condition stock compared to many other markets.

For new expats, a car is not a luxury — it is a practical necessity outside central Doha. Getting the buying process right the first time saves you money, stress, and the very real risk of inheriting traffic fines that belong to someone else. This guide covers everything from where to find the right car to driving it off with your name on the Istimara.

Table of Contents

Step 1: Know Where to Look

Qatar’s used car market has matured significantly in recent years. Online platforms now account for a growing share of transactions, and the major platforms are genuinely useful for expat buyers.

Q Motor (qmotor.com) is Qatar’s largest automotive marketplace with over 500,000 monthly users. It lists both private seller and dealer inventory, with filtering by make, model, year, mileage, and price. Q Motor has moved the used car market toward transparent pricing and is the first place most expats check.

Hatla2ee (qatar.hatla2ee.com) is a regional used car platform widely used across the Gulf. It carries a strong selection of Qatar-listed vehicles with specifications and photos, and is particularly useful for comparing prices across similar models.

QatarSale (qatarsale.com) and Mzad Qatar (mzadqatar.com) are broader classifieds platforms that include used cars alongside other categories. Both carry private seller listings and can surface good deals from individuals looking to sell quickly before leaving the country.

QIC Car Market (qic.online/en/market) is the marketplace operated by Qatar Insurance Company. Listings here often come with inspection history and insurance transfer options, which makes the post-purchase paperwork simpler.

Used car showrooms in the Industrial Area remain popular, particularly for expats who want to inspect a vehicle in person before committing. The Industrial Area in Doha has a dense concentration of used car dealers ranging from budget to premium. Showrooms can offer more negotiating room than private sellers and some provide short warranties.

Facebook groups and WhatsApp communities for nationality-specific expat groups in Qatar are a productive secondary source. Expats selling before departure often list in community groups first and price competitively to sell quickly.

Step 2: Check the Istimara Before Anything Else

The Istimara is Qatar’s vehicle registration card. It is the single most important document in any used car transaction and the first thing you should examine before agreeing to anything.

The Istimara contains the vehicle’s registration details: chassis number, engine number, plate number, make, model, colour, year of manufacture, and the current registered owner’s information. Every vehicle legally on Qatari roads must have a valid, current Istimara.

What to verify on the Istimara:

The expiry date must be current or within the renewal grace period of 30 days. An expired Istimara means the vehicle is not legally on the road and will need renewal — which also requires a technical inspection and confirmed zero fines — before you can transfer ownership.

The chassis number on the Istimara must match the chassis number physically stamped on the vehicle. This is usually found on a plate on the dashboard visible through the windscreen and on a stamp inside the driver’s door frame. If these do not match, walk away immediately.

The registered owner’s name and QID should match the seller in front of you. If the person selling you the car is not the registered owner on the Istimara, you are dealing with a third party and the ownership transfer will be significantly more complicated.

The vehicle age must comply with Qatar’s 15-year rule. Qatar law does not permit registration of vehicles more than fifteen years old. Check the manufacture year on the Istimara against the current year.

Step 3: Check Outstanding Traffic Fines (Do This Before You Pay)

This is the step that most first-time buyers in Qatar skip — and it is the one that causes the most problems.

Outstanding traffic fines are linked to the vehicle’s plate number in the MOI system. The system blocks ownership transfer until all fines are cleared. This means that if a seller has accumulated unpaid traffic violations on a vehicle, those fines must be paid before the Istimara can be transferred to your name.

In theory, the seller should pay their own fines before selling. In practice, it does not always work that way — and if you hand over cash before checking, you may find yourself in a negotiation over who pays fines that were never disclosed.

How to check traffic fines before buying:

Ask the seller for the plate number and vehicle type. Then check through one of two methods:

Via the MOI website: go to portal.moi.gov.qa, select Inquiries, then Traffic Inquiries, then Traffic Violations. Enter the plate number and vehicle type. If there are no violations, you will see only the Istimara expiry date. If there are violations, the amount and details will appear.

Via the Metrash app: navigate to Traffic, then Traffic Violations, and search by vehicle plate number.

Both methods are free and take under two minutes. There is no reason not to do this before any money changes hands.

What to do if fines exist: The seller must clear all outstanding fines before the transfer can proceed. This is non-negotiable — the MOI system physically blocks the transfer while fines remain unpaid. Either agree that the seller pays before handover, or have the fine amount deducted from the agreed sale price and attend the traffic office together to clear and transfer in one visit.

One useful note on timing: you can get a 50% discount on most traffic offences if you pay the fine within 30 days of the violation being registered. If the seller’s fines are recent, raising this point can ease the negotiation.

Step 4: Inspect the Vehicle

Qatar’s climate and road conditions create specific wear patterns worth knowing before you inspect.

Air conditioning is not optional in Qatar — it runs continuously for six months of the year in extreme heat. Check that the AC cools quickly and powerfully. Any weakness here is a significant issue and a potentially expensive fix.

Tyres degrade faster in Qatar’s heat than in temperate climates. Check tread depth, sidewall condition, and look for any cracking from UV exposure. A full set of tyres costs QR 800 to QR 2,500 depending on the vehicle.

Under the bonnet: check for oil leaks around the engine, look at the coolant level and colour (brown or rusty coolant suggests neglect), and check the condition of belts and hoses.

Paintwork and body: sand and occasional hail are the main external hazards in Qatar. Minor paint chips and windscreen chips are common — look for any signs of accident repair or repainted panels, which may indicate undisclosed structural damage.

Service history: ask for the service book or any receipts from authorised service centres. Vehicles serviced at the dealership network (Toyota, Nissan, Kia, Hyundai, Volkswagen all have strong authorised networks in Qatar) are generally more reliable used buys.

For any vehicle above QR 30,000, it is worth paying for an independent pre-purchase inspection. Several independent garages and automotive inspection services in Doha offer this for QR 150 to QR 300. The peace of mind on a major purchase is worth the cost.

Step 5: Agree on Price and Sign a Sale Agreement

Qatar’s used car market is negotiable. Listed prices on Q Motor and Hatla2ee typically include a margin for negotiation of 5 to 15%, particularly from private sellers who are motivated to sell before leaving the country.

Useful benchmarks for negotiation: check the same make, model, and year on multiple platforms to establish a market price range. Condition, mileage, and full-service history are the primary value drivers.

Once you agree on a price, put it in writing. A simple sale agreement should include the vehicle details (make, model, year, chassis number, plate number), the agreed sale price, the date of the transaction, and the names and QID numbers of both buyer and seller. Both parties sign two copies and keep one each.

This written agreement protects both buyer and seller from any dispute about the agreed price or condition at the time of sale.

Step 6: Transfer the Insurance First

If the vehicle is under a comprehensive insurance policy, the insurance must first be transferred to your name before the ownership can be transferred via Metrash.

This sequencing surprises many first-time buyers. The ownership transfer in the MOI system requires active insurance in the buyer’s name. You therefore need to sort insurance before you can complete the transfer, not after.

You have two options: transfer the seller’s existing policy to your name, or cancel the existing policy and purchase a new one.

Transferring the existing policy is the simpler option if the policy has remaining time and is with a major insurer. If the vehicle is insured through QIC, the policy can be transferred to the new owner directly in the QIC app via mobile phone — the previous owner must initiate the transfer through their account. Other major insurers including GIG Gulf and Qatar General Insurance offer similar transfer processes.

Purchasing a new policy gives you control over the coverage level and insurer. Third-party liability insurance is the legal minimum in Qatar. Comprehensive cover is strongly recommended for newer or higher-value vehicles. Insurance can be arranged online, via insurer apps, or in person at any insurance company office.

Annual insurance premiums for a standard saloon car in Qatar range from approximately QR 800 for third-party only to QR 2,500 to QR 4,500 for comprehensive cover, depending on the vehicle value, your age, and driving history.

Step 7: Complete the Ownership Transfer

With insurance in your name and all fines cleared, you are ready to transfer the Istimara.

Expats no longer need to provide a no-objection certificate for car ownership transfer — this requirement was removed, simplifying the process considerably.

Via Metrash (the faster option):

The seller initiates the process. They open the Metrash app, navigate to Traffic, then Vehicles, find the car in their list of owned vehicles, and select Vehicle Ownership Transfer. They enter the buyer’s QID number, upload a copy of the sale agreement, and submit.

The buyer then receives a notification in their own Metrash app and must approve the transfer. Upon completion, the buyer will receive an in-app message indicating their new Istimara is ready. You can have it delivered via QPost, or pick it up yourself at the traffic office.

In person at the Traffic Department:

Both buyer and seller should be present, along with all required documents. At the counter, the officer will verify documents, process the transfer, and issue a new vehicle registration (Istimara) in the buyer’s name.

The in-person route at Traffic Department offices including Madinat Khalifa, Mesaimeer, and the Industrial Area takes longer but is recommended for any transaction where complications exist — mismatched documents, company-owned vehicles, or any uncertainty about the process.

Documents needed for the transfer:

Original Istimara (current, valid)
QID of both buyer and seller
Sale agreement signed by both parties
Insurance certificate in the buyer’s name
Buyer’s driving licence

Transfer fee: approximately QR 100 to QR 200 depending on vehicle type. Paid at the Traffic Department counter or online.

Step 8: Open or Update Your Traffic File

Before you can register a vehicle in your name in Qatar, you need a traffic file at the MOI’s General Directorate of Traffic. If you are a new expat who has not yet opened one, this must be done before the ownership transfer can be completed.

A traffic file is opened at any Traffic Department counter with your QID, passport, and a passport photo. The fee is approximately QR 100 and it is processed on the same day. If you already have a traffic file from a previous vehicle or driving licence application, no additional action is needed.

After the Transfer: Registration and Renewal

Your new Istimara is valid for one calendar year from the date of issue. The Istimara renewal grace period is 30 days. If you fail to renew within this period, the registration and the number plate will be confiscated.

To renew the Istimara annually, the vehicle must pass a technical inspection at an authorised inspection centre (Fahes or Woqood stations), have valid insurance, and carry zero outstanding traffic fines. Renewal can be done online via the MOI website, through the Metrash app, or in person at a Traffic Department.

Renewal fee: approximately QR 200 to QR 300 per year depending on vehicle type.

Common Mistakes Expat Buyers Make in Qatar

Paying before checking fines. The most consistent and costly mistake. Always check the plate number on the MOI portal before any money changes hands.

Not verifying the chassis number. The Istimara chassis number must match the vehicle. A mismatch is a serious flag that should stop the transaction entirely.

Buying from a non-owner. If the person selling the car is not the registered owner on the Istimara, the ownership transfer becomes significantly more complicated and may require notarised documents or legal assistance.

Skipping the independent inspection. On any vehicle above QR 30,000, a pre-purchase inspection from an independent garage is worth the QR 200 to QR 300 cost.

Getting insurance after the transfer attempt. Insurance in the buyer’s name must come before the Metrash ownership transfer. Trying to transfer first and then sort insurance means starting the process again.

Buying a car over 15 years old. Qatar will not register vehicles older than 15 years. Always check the manufacture year on the Istimara against this limit before proceeding.

Useful Price Benchmarks (Doha Used Car Market, 2026)

Vehicle	Age	Approximate Price Range
Toyota Camry (LE/SE)	3 to 5 years	QR 45,000 to QR 75,000
Toyota Land Cruiser	3 to 5 years	QR 120,000 to QR 200,000
Nissan Sunny / Kicks	2 to 4 years	QR 30,000 to QR 55,000
Hyundai Accent / Elantra	2 to 4 years	QR 28,000 to QR 50,000
Kia Sportage	3 to 5 years	QR 55,000 to QR 90,000
Mitsubishi Pajero	3 to 6 years	QR 60,000 to QR 110,000
BMW 3 Series	4 to 6 years	QR 65,000 to QR 120,000

Toyota and Nissan are the dominant used car brands in Qatar, reflecting the large Japanese brand dealership network in the country and strong resale values. Land Cruisers hold their value exceptionally well and remain in high demand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need a traffic file to buy a used car in Qatar? Yes. A traffic file at the MOI is a prerequisite for registering any vehicle in your name. Open one at any Traffic Department counter on the same day you need it — bring your QID, passport, and a passport photo. Fee is approximately QR 100.

Q: Can I check a car’s traffic fines without the seller’s QID? Yes. Fines are searchable by plate number alone on the MOI website Traffic Violations inquiry page. You only need the plate number and vehicle type.

Q: Can I buy a car in Qatar without a Qatar driving licence? You can complete the purchase and ownership transfer using your QID. However, you cannot legally drive the vehicle on Qatar roads without a valid driving licence. An international driving permit is valid for 6 months from arrival.

Q: What happens if the seller leaves Qatar before the Istimara is transferred to my name? This creates a significant complication. The Metrash transfer process requires the seller to initiate the request from their account. If they have left Qatar and deactivated their account, you will need to pursue the transfer through the Traffic Department with supporting documentation including your signed sale agreement. Always complete the transfer before the seller departs.

Q: Is it safe to buy from private sellers in Qatar? Yes, provided you follow the verification steps in this guide. Check the Istimara, verify fines, confirm the seller is the registered owner, and sign a written sale agreement. Qatar’s MOI transfer system is robust and well-administered — the protections are there if you use them.

Q: What is the maximum age of a car I can register in Qatar? Qatar law does not permit registration of vehicles more than fifteen years old. Always check the manufacture year on the Istimara before purchasing a used vehicle.

Q: Can a company-registered car be transferred to an individual? Yes, but with additional documents. Transferring a car registered under a company’s name to an individual requires a copy of the company registration card and a signed transportation approval letter from the company.

Summary

Buying a used car in Qatar through the right process is straightforward and well-supported by Qatar’s MOI digital infrastructure. The Metrash app handles most of the paperwork digitally, the MOI portal makes fine verification instant, and the Traffic Department counters are efficient for in-person transfers. The key discipline is sequencing: verify the Istimara, check fines, agree in writing, sort insurance, then transfer. Follow that order and you will drive away from your first Qatar used car purchase with complete peace of mind.

How to Buy a Used Car in Qatar: The Complete Expat Guide (2026)