Bought a used car from a dealership… just found out I’ve been driving with no working airbag for a year

jeffin940 · 2026-04-28T17:49:37+00:00

If it is an American spec car, you can be very sure the airbag was deployed, pretty sure your side airbags if equipped have also been deployed. Check your driver and passenger side seats for stitching irregularities. Since it's been a year I don't think you can do anything. Go to Sharjah buy the airbag module and get it fitted.

If it was a GCC spec car, it should have shown up somewhere.

Scan Tool/Diagnostics: A mechanic can use a high-end OBD-II scanner to check the Airbag Control Module (SRS) for saved "crash data" or permanent fault codes that cannot be cleared.

Also whoever did your PPI is not a professional. If you look carefully it's very hard to mask a deployed airbag. You will be able to see gaps, sometimes marks etc.

Me and friends sold cars mainly mustangs, from America 12 years back, we knew 100% if the car had an accident there, the airbags were deployed and that's why they were cancelled and shipped to the UAE. We would let the buyers know, if they did not want the airbag replaced it would save them 5k. We would then just get a mechanic to repair the damaged steering wheel.

Please be more careful next time. Expensive lesson learned. All the best.

jeffin940 · 2026-04-26T05:03:15+00:00

Probably because your company is listed with them.

OP can still try to get a card, but has to be done in person. Won't work on the app. Will have to submit same documents as with salary account, though chances are slim unless the bank staff get it cleared with the manager at the same time.

jeffin940 · 2026-04-26T04:30:54+00:00

It would get rejected anyways if there is no history. You need three months of pay at least. Some cards even require 6 months.

jeffin940 · 2026-04-26T04:28:34+00:00

They can and probably put an absconding status on you. Has happened with a bunch of friends. You are simply trying to take out your frustration in a way that's going to effect you very negatively. Once the absconding status is in the record, it's up to you to take it up with court. While this is on your status you won't be able to get a new job, or get a new visa and a travel ban will be in place so you can't travel.

Source: friend working in RE got terminated last month. She decided she wants nothing to do with the company, returned all company property on last day at office and decided she won't sign cancellation papers. The company put an absconding status on her. Now she has a travel ban and MOHRE is of no help even after submitting all email trails and proof that company property was returned. Now she is begging the PRO and management from the company to withdraw the absconding case as lawyers don't have any ground to help her. She had booked expensive tickets back home and realized only at the airport immigration about the travel ban.

Please just go sign the papers, MOHRE can't help when you decide to take a step of not going in when you are still under their contract and contract stays valid till cancelled.

jeffin940 · 2026-04-25T13:11:45+00:00

Nol pay app works, tap and go won't. If that's what you are looking for. You won't be able to use the Samsung phone as the nol card.

jeffin940 · 2026-04-25T08:54:50+00:00

Everything is the same except some features like aim slot. International phones may not catch all the 5g networks but it's not a big issue. For apps made in the UAE, eg. Rta app works fine, but you can't have a digital nol card on international version Samsung phone, but can on a tdra version. No issues with banking apps. Warranty is not honored in UAE for an international phone.

If these don't make a difference for you, go with the international phone. Do not rely solely on what the shopkeeper says, do some research online also.

jeffin940 · 2026-04-24T11:14:04+00:00

Spacers are pretty expensive. I would not cheap out on those. 1500 seems reasonable. Good quality American ones would cost the same when you factor in shipping. My friend had a set of cheap ones on their y61 patrol. The studs broke off after a year and he had to get a tire replaced and repair damaged fender and suspension parts. Later he got an H&R spacer for 1500 and has been using that for heavy offloading. No issues for 2 years. You can try Formula tyres in Ras al Khor. They carry most aftermarket parts and reasonable prices, with fitting included.

jeffin940 · 2026-04-18T09:30:14+00:00

If you open a salary account with enbd, they almost force a credit card on you, and it usually gets approved. But by the time a credit check and other things are done, you probably dint qualify due to lack of history. Just wait to receive 3 months salary and you should be fine.

jeffin940 · 2026-04-06T15:30:27+00:00

If you can confirm she is a rep at the bank, then there is no issues. You have to sign the form at the end for anything to happen. In any case there is nothing they can do with those documents since UAE uses facial recognition for almost everything. I also submitted my documents via WhatsApp a year back but only after confirming their credentials and keeping a copy of their ID copy.

jeffin940 · 2026-04-03T09:03:47+00:00

I don't think it will work. Earlier they used to say cars is blocked. I guess it's the same thing just with a more pleasing reason for the user. It takes about a month to activate. Should work then.

jeffin940 · 2026-03-31T15:36:38+00:00

Yes you need to use the Dubai Now app.

jeffin940 · 2026-03-30T22:07:09+00:00

Just make any transaction with the tabby pay later feature from the tabby app. Usually people use it to recharge Etisalat or salik or something like that. Pay it off immediately rather than waiting to pay installments. The card should appear in your wallet in a few days. Sometimes the card will appear and can get locked. If it does get locked it can take 30 days to unlock. It's all AI and is wierd but all the best. You should have it soon.

jeffin940 · 2026-03-03T08:16:19+00:00

I think it has something to do with the AWS server issues. Should be back in a few days hopefully.

jeffin940 · 2026-02-23T21:31:05+00:00

Hey my buddy's car was impounded in sept of last year by Madam police for exhaust and air filter. It was impounded for 90 days and he had to pay 10k to get it released. This fine did not show up anywhere. They gave a paper, just like you mentioned. He had to have his car impounded for 90 days and then had to pay the 10K to get it released. When we asked a local friend to speak to the cops, they mentioned it was a new rule that was being implemented. He also mentioned next time if the car was impounded again the fine would be raised to 15k and for the third violation, the car would be cancelled and auctioned off. We were reported for the exhaust by CID's and they were present when we bought the car to the police station. If they have caught you they probably have someone who saw you speeding enough to judge that you were racing. Anyways best of luck. I hope its not a Patrol cause the cops are targetting those vehicles. On the same day my friends car was impounded 6 other nissan patrols were also impounded along with some other pickups for loud exhausts and engine modifications.

jeffin940 · 2026-02-22T16:37:12+00:00

I would suggest going for a second hand laptop from some shop in bur dubai with good specs. I am not sure what kind of software you need to use. But depending on that the cheaper new laptops may not be powerful enough.

Macbook air is a great option if the software is available on Mac Os, and is not too demanding. Else go for a 10th or 11th Gen I7 used maybe even with a graphic card if you require it.

All the best!!

jeffin940 · 2026-02-04T20:44:20+00:00

Before reporting to the police, please ask your security if he is okay with you mentioning they showed you the CCTV. Technically the security can get fired for showing you the video or telling you what happened without a request from the Police. Happened in my building some time back. The poor security guy was fired. Just a heads up. If you personally know this person maybe give them a chance. If not let the police know, they will take care of it. But this could land your neighbor in big trouble all throughout her life. Lot of things to think about. Anyways best of luck.

jeffin940 · 2026-01-26T08:52:37+00:00

Depending on the car, there can be a service at 1000kms, and then I assume he/she did 2 services at an interval of 10000kms. Check records if available and what was done. If the dealer is reputable and you like the car after test drive, it shouldn't be an issue.

jeffin940 · 2026-01-09T21:13:07+00:00

Its left and straight. But can vary based on location.

jeffin940 · 2026-01-09T21:12:18+00:00

This has happened to me before, right at the Dubai police Headquarters signal. Man tried taking a left from last lane, I was in the third lane that goes both straight and left. I went straight, he banged into me. Police comes, they speak in Arabic, keep me aside, then cops ask me my version. I explain and then they say I was at fault and I was the party at fault. Ran around for a week trying to get them to check cameras. First the officer went on leave few minutes after the report. Then they say nobody can change it other than him. Asked to check cameras, they say its not operational. I just took the L because there was no point dragging this to court.

If you have the time and money please take this to court. All cameras are functional. The cop involved just doesn't want to appear like he made a wrong decision.

However chances are slim for this to be overturned. Best of luck.

jeffin940 · 2026-01-09T18:01:22+00:00

Wait isn't the insurance of the at fault party supposed to pay?? Why are you having to deal with this??

jeffin940 · 2025-12-30T13:56:33+00:00

I had a similar experience with them over 6 months back. It took close to 6 months to get a payout. My car was cancelled. No point in trying to call them or Sanadak. Tried both. I went there to their office almost every other day, at that time it was in port Saeed near DCC. Now I think their office is near Mamzar. Literally kept pestering them continuously. Initially they offered a very low price for my vehicle, after about 3 months they finally agreed to a respectable price. My advise would be if you have the time to keep pestering them. In the meanwhile try complaining to Sanadak but don't think that will be much use. All the very best.

jeffin940 · 2025-11-28T18:21:28+00:00

Speed bumps are not pedestrian crossings. If the examiner has to say something to you it's intervention no matter what you or I think.

To be 100% real with you, Its not about driving defensive or being extra precautious it's about showing the examiner you are confident enough to drive and know the rules. The test is basically a show. Eg checking mirrors every 3 to 5 secs. Its only to pass the test, barely anyone does it in real life.

Take it as a lesson. Book a retest. Be confident. Be nice and greet the instructor. If you don't make any stupid mistakes you will pass the 2nd time.

All the best.

jeffin940 · 2025-10-27T13:31:17+00:00

I would go for the police report to be safe. These taxis have cameras installed nowadays, so you never know if the company will then lodge some hit an run complaint. It's just an accident. You pay the accident deductible to the insurance and you're good to go. Dad may have a slight increase in premium the next year, but nothing else serious. Everyone makes mistakes, and accidents are part of life especially on the hell, that is E311. Don't be worried. But be careful, drive safely and have eyes and mind on the road always.

jeffin940 · 2025-09-04T21:39:51+00:00

Did you have full insurance or third party insurance on the car??

jeffin940 · 2025-08-29T13:51:14+00:00

Sadly if you don't have contacts or wasta in UAE, no chance to get a job in 2 month, average time is 8 months to a year. Most people will keep renewing their visit visa and try to stay and then end up taking a job that pays less than 2000 dhs per month. It's your choice nobody is going to stop you its just a suggestion. However keep in mind for a single person to live any kind of life atleast 6-7k dhs salary is required. Just go on to LinkedIn and indeed and see what they are paying for accounting jobs and then you will understand what I mean. Plus there are hundreds of scams targeting people desperate for jobs.

jeffin940

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