How I Bought My First Car in Saudi Arabia: Real Experience for Employees

 Buying your first car in KSA can feel exciting but also confusing, especially if you’re new to the country or don’t know the full process. In this blog, I’ll share a realistic and honest experience — the kind most normal employees face when buying a car for daily use.

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🧍‍♂️ 1. Step 1: Why I Decided to Buy a Car

Like many expats and local employees, I got tired of depending on friends, Uber, or company transport. In cities like Riyadh or Jeddah, having your own car means freedom, saving time, and less stress — especially in summer.

So I made a plan: buy a small, fuel-efficient car under 20,000–25,000 SAR — secondhand, but in good condition.

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🔍 2. Step 2: Searching Online

The best sites to search:

• Haraj.com.sa

• Motory.com

• OpenSooq

• Facebook Marketplace (but be careful of scams)

I used Haraj, where most car owners post full details. I filtered by:

• Price range

• Location

• FAHAS valid ✅

• Automatic transmission

• Low mileage (under 200,000 km)

After 3 days, I shortlisted 3 cars: a Hyundai Accent, a Toyota Yaris, and a Nissan Sunny.

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👨‍🔧 3. Step 3: Inspection & FAHAS Check

Before finalizing, I followed this checklist:

• Check FAHAS date (must be valid)

• Check Istimara (registration card)

• Check Mojaz report for past accidents

• Take a trusted mechanic or friend who knows cars

• Test drive on highway and bumps

Pro Tip: Avoid cars with oil leaks, heavy smoke from exhaust, or tampered dashboards.

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🤝 4. Step 4: Payment & Ownership Transfer

I agreed on 16,500 SAR for a 2017 Nissan Sunny.

Steps I followed:

1. Seller uploaded the car for transfer on Absher

2. I accepted the transfer request on my Absher account

3. Paid the fee (230 SAR)

4. Transferred money to the seller (cash or bank)

5. Got the new Istimara issued under my name

🛡️ I also bought Tawuniya 3rd party insurance (cheap, around 180 SAR)

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🛠️ 5. Maintenance After Buying

I changed:

• Engine oil & filter

• AC gas top-up

• Tyres check

• Car wash + polish

Total cost: around 400 SAR

Now the car runs smooth, and I use it daily for work, groceries, and even small trips to Dammam or Taif.

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❌ Mistakes to Avoid (From My Own Experience)

• Don’t rush to buy just because it “looks clean”

• Never skip the test drive

• If FAHAS is expired, don’t accept the car — many issues might be hidden

• Watch out for gear/AC issues in summer

• Don’t pay anything before verifying papers

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💡 Tips for First-Time Car Owners

• Check tyre pressure weekly

• Do oil change every 5,000 km

• Keep insurance & Istimara copies in glove box

• Use apps like Google Maps, Gas Station Finder

• Don’t park long in direct sun — use shades

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📝 Final Words

Buying a car in Saudi Arabia as an employee is 100% possible, even with limited salary. With the right planning, honest sellers, and little research — you can find a reliable car within your budget.

It’s not just a car — it’s your daily partner in KSA life. 🛣️

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Planning to buy your first car? Or already have one? Share your experience in the comments — let’s help each other!

Buying a Car for Personal Use in Saudi Arabia: A Simple Guide

 In Saudi Arabia, many employees — whether Saudi nationals or expats — buy a car for daily use, work commutes, or family travel. It's a basic need, especially in cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam where public transport is still developing.

This blog is for everyday people who want a good, affordable, and reliable car, and also want to understand important rules like FAHAS and Istimara.

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🏷️ 1. Popular Affordable Cars in KSA

Most working people in Saudi Arabia choose practical cars that are fuel-efficient, low maintenance, and easy to resell.

Here are some common choices:

Car	Why People Like It
Toyota Yaris / Corolla	Reliable, cheap parts, easy resale
Hyundai Elantra / Accent	Good features, low fuel cost
Nissan Sunny	Budget-friendly, basic daily car
Kia Pegas / Rio	Modern design, affordable
Chevrolet Spark / Aveo	Great for small families or single use

Used cars are also a good option if your budget is limited — but you have to be careful with documentation and condition.

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🧾 2. What is FAHAS?

FAHAS (Vehicle Inspection Report) is a mandatory check for cars in Saudi Arabia. It ensures your car is safe and roadworthy.

✅ You must do FAHAS:

• Every year

• Before renewing Istimara (registration)

• Before selling a car

FAHAS checks:

• Brakes

• Lights

• Tyres

• Engine emissions

• Suspension

If your car fails FAHAS, you have to fix the issue and repeat the test.

📍 You can do FAHAS at MVPI stations (Vehicle Periodic Inspection centers), found in every city.

💡 Tip: Don’t go for FAHAS with broken lights, tinted front glass, or oil leakage — you’ll fail.

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🪪 3. What is Istimara?

Istimara is the car’s registration card. It shows that the vehicle is legal, insured, and allowed on the road.

• Valid for 3 years

• Must be renewed after passing FAHAS

• You need it for police checks, insurance claims, etc.

🔄 Renewal Process:

1. Do FAHAS ✅

2. Renew car insurance ✅

3. Pay MOI renewal fee online (Absher/SADAD)

4. Request renewal through Absher

5. Pick up the new Istimara

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💡 4. Important Tips for First-Time Car Buyers

• Check Mojaz report (like CarFax): accident history, ownership, etc.

• Avoid cars from taxis or rental companies — they’re usually overused.

• If used, check:

  • FAHAS validity

  • Istimara status

  • Insurance

  • Gearbox/AC condition

• Always test drive before buying

• Prefer full cash — but many banks also offer salary-based installments

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💰 5. Monthly Car Budget

Item	Average Monthly Cost (SAR)
Fuel (medium use)	200 – 300 SAR
Insurance	100 – 200 SAR
Installment (if any)	600 – 1500 SAR
Maintenance	50 – 200 SAR
FAHAS / Istimara (yearly)	~100 SAR

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📱 Useful Websites

• Haraj.com.sa – Used car marketplace

• Motory.com – New/used cars

• Absher.sa – For Istimara, insurance, FAHAS check

• Mojaz.sa – Vehicle history report

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✅ Conclusion

Buying a car in Saudi Arabia is easy — but it’s important to stay aware of FAHAS, Istimara, insurance, and the condition of the car. Whether you buy new or used, keep it simple, legal, and safe.

If you're just starting your life in KSA, a good car will save you time, money, and stress.

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Have questions about FAHAS or buying a used car? Drop them in the comments — I’ll reply based on real experience.