By Majorie van Leijen

With the recent changes in UAE fuel prices, driving on petrol has become more expensive while filling up a diesel tank is less expensive than it was last month.

Diesel-powered cars suddenly look more interesting.

However, some diesel enthusiasts claim they’ve been facing issues with registering diesel-powered private cars in Dubai.

That, however, should not be the case, says the RTA.

According to Ahmed Bahrozyan, Director of Licensing at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), this assumption is incorrect.

“Unless a car is typically used for transportation purposes, there should be no problem for an individual to register a diesel-powered vehicle,” he said.

Popular cars such as the Land Rover Defender, Audi Q7 W12 TDI and the Porsche Cayenne Diesel can remain a potential buy for those eyeing a vehicle running on diesel.

“There are certain types of cars that may not be registered as a privately-owned vehicle, because these are commonly used by companies,” clarified Bahrozyan.

“An exception may be made when a person owns a farm and requires the car to transport goods, for example,” he said.

The confusion spread when the topic was discussed on a Facebook page for Land Rover Defender owners, and the story was picked up by local media.

“Now we’re hearing that diesel cars, privately-owned ones at least, are not allowed to be newly registered in Dubai anymore,” wrote a local auto website.

It cited the cases of two individuals who were allegedly turned away when they tried to register their Defenders.

Only existing owners of a diesel-powered car can transfer ownership, they were reportedly told.

The article mentioned how this was later on rectified by the customer service centre, but the assumption spread and caused confusion among car owners and lovers.

On a similar note, some motorists claim that dual cabin vehicles could face the same fate.

“Can someone please explain the logic why only companies can register a Ford Ranger, a Volkswagen Amarok TDI or a Chevy Colorado, while these cars can be recreational as well?” asked a car owner on an online forum.

“There is no such policy,” said the RTA’s Bahrozyan.

“A pick-up truck that is obviously meant for the transportation of goods cannot be privately owned. But a normal dual carriage vehicle can be registered by person,” he said.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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