Why Should You Have a GCC Spec Car in UAE?

Why Should You have a GCC Spec Car in UAE?

March 21, 2023

Buying a car involves considering various factors, such as size, brand, colour, etc. You'll also want to take into account fuel efficiency, safety features, and the cost of maintenance to make sure you're getting good value for your money. This research journey may introduce you to something called "GCC-spec" - if you are purchasing a car in the UAE.

So, what is the term "GCC"?

GCC is the short form of Gulf Cooperation Council and is a group of six middle eastern countries - Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman - that form a political and economic alliance. The GCC aims to unite its members based on their similar political and cultural identities. It was created to address the same needs and concerns of all its member countries, even when it comes to products like automobiles.

Basically, these countries have harsh weather conditions and rough terrain, so cars need to be specially built to survive them. That's how GCC-spec cars came into existence. GCC-spec cars are designed to be able to withstand extreme temperatures - making them the perfect choice for people living in the Middle East.

What are the specifications of GCC-spec cars? How can you find out whether your car is GCC-spec? We'll discuss these questions and much more in this article.

Firstly, Why Do You Need A GCC-spec Car?

In GCC countries, extreme weather conditions and rough terrain increase the likelihood of vehicles breaking down and malfunctioning. Cars need to meet certain specifications to withstand strong winds, extreme heat, and the overall harsh environment. So, you must drive a car that meets Gulf Cooperation Council specifications.

A GCC-spec car is designed to meet the demands of these extreme conditions and provide reliable and safe service for drivers in the region. Moreover, very few insurance companies offer insurance for vehicles that are not GCC-spec because of the high risk involved. Furthermore, if a non-GCC-spec car is damaged, replacement parts will be difficult to find. So, GCC-spec cars are the most reliable option for drivers in the GCC region, making them well worth the investment.

What Are The Specifications Of A Gcc-spec Car?

These are some of the aspects of GCC-spec cars that make them stand out from their non-GCC counterparts:

1️. Air Conditioning

In GCC-spec cars, the air conditioning system is modified to cope with harsh weather conditions. In non-GCC-spec cars, the AC system may overheat after a few hours of use due to such harsh temperatures.

2️. Filtration Systems

The climate in the GCC region is extremely dusty, so imported cars without GCC-spec filtration systems will have trouble functioning. These cars will not be able to withstand desert winds and sandstorms. In order to deal with such harsh conditions, GCC-spec cars have specially designed filtration systems which make them more durable.

3️. Improved Radiator Technology

Due to the extreme weather conditions in the UAE, your car's engine can become overheated, causing the car to break down and stop in the middle of your journey. A car's radiator keeps it cool and prevents it from overheating, especially during long drives. So, to ensure optimal car performance, a good radiator is essential. The radiators on GCC-spec cars are designed to keep the engine cool even in extreme temperatures.

4️. Additional Rust Protection

Though the UAE is mostly known for its high temperatures, it also experiences extremely humid conditions, especially in the coastal regions. This humidity can present a challenge when it comes to protecting metal and steel surfaces from rust. This calls for an extra layer of protection. GCC-spec cars have additional rust protection to protect them from rusting, and therefore, to ensure the longevity of metal and steel surfaces in such environments.

Even with such well-equipped cars, you can never rule out the possibility of accidents. So, you need to protect it with a proper insurance policy to save yourself from potential financial losses.

Insurance For A GCC-spec Car

Any insurer's website that you visit to purchase a policy for your car will ask you “Is your car GCC-spec? If you click "No/Non-GCC spec" on a broker's website, you will see that there are very few insurance companies that offer coverage for non-GCC cars. This is due to the fact that these cars are not designed for harsh weather conditions and are prone to frequent damage, leading to more claims being filed.

Plus, the premiums for non-GCC-spec cars are higher because they pose a higher risk to an insurer and any accident repairs/maintenance are a challenge for the repairers. The replacement spare parts for a non-GCC spec car become very hard to procure, increasing the cost of repairs and delay in the completion of repairs and maintenance.

Consequently, it is clear that GCC-spec cars are the best choice for those looking to get the most out of their insurance policy.

How To Check If Your Car Is GCC-spec?

These are some of the aspects to check to find whether your car is GCC-spec or not -

1️. Vehicle Identification Number (VIN):

Almost all GCC-spec cars have their VIN starting with “W”. If your vehicle's VIN begins with 'W', then you can be sure your vehicle is GCC-spec.

2️. Chassis Plate:

Your car is GCC-spec if the chassis plate on the door card is written in Arabic.

3️. Inscriptions On The Mirror:

Your car is a GCC-spec if the inscriptions on the side mirrors are in Arabic.

Wrapping up!

So, this is all about GCC-spec cars. If you are living in any of the GCC countries, make sure you go ahead and buy the GCC-spec car and also safeguard it with suitable car insurance - to ensure that you are always protected no matter what.