Al Ain: The Al Ain Court for Civil, Commercial and Administrative Cases has ordered the cancellation of a vehicle sale contract worth AED64,000 after finding that the car contained undisclosed structural defects, accident damage and technical faults that could not have been detected through a normal inspection.The court ordered the seller to refund the full purchase price to the buyer and pay AED3,000 in compensation, in addition to court costs and legal fees.According to court records, the buyer filed a lawsuit against a man and his son after purchasing the vehicle for AED64,000. He said ownership was transferred to him without disclosure of any defects.Shortly after taking possession of the vehicle, the buyer noticed unusual noises and took the car to a specialist workshop for inspection. The inspection revealed that the vehicle had previously been involved in serious accidents requiring extensive repairs and also suffered from transmission-related issues.The buyer said he contacted the defendants and requested cancellation of the transaction and a refund. Although an initial agreement was reached, the arrangement was later withdrawn, prompting legal action.The court appointed an automotive engineering expert to examine the vehicle and investigate the dispute.The expert concluded that the vehicle had significant pre-existing defects, including the cutting and replacement of the upper roof and the disconnection of certain electrical systems in a manner that concealed warning indicators.According to the report, the defects could not be identified by an ordinary buyer during a routine inspection and required specialised technical examination. The expert stated that the defects affected both the value of the vehicle and its structural integrity.The court said it was satisfied with the expert's findings and rejected the seller's argument that the vehicle had been inspected before the sale.The judgment noted that references in previous inspection reports to roof replacement did not prove that the buyer was aware of the true condition of the vehicle or the extent of the repairs carried out.The court also ruled that the case against the seller's son was inadmissible because he was not a party to the sale contract. His role was limited to receiving the purchase price on behalf of his father, the registered owner of the vehicle.The court subsequently ordered the rescission of the sale contract, the return of the vehicle to the seller and the repayment of AED64,000 to the buyer, along with AED3,000 in compensation and AED500 in lawyer's fees. Other claims were dismissed.
