Explained: How to Check If Car is GCC Spec?

What is a GCC Spec Car?

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a group of Middle Eastern countries that includes Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. Cars designed in these nations are GCC approved and equipped with specific machinery as per the climatic conditions of these regions. Having your car GCC approved can provide you with numerous benefits as compared to non-modified cars in terms of convenience and comfort of driving, insurance, and more. However, one must first be aware of what these features are and how to verify if their car is GCC approved.

Go through this article to find out how to check if car is GCC spec or not.

What is the Significance of a GCC Spec Car?

The climate in the UAE is harsh, hot, and windy. Non-modified cars in such regions tend to break down quickly as they are not designed for such an environment. Moreover, non-GCC cars have a limited scope of car insurance, as only a few companies in the UAE provide car insurance for non-GCC cars. Other than that, in the event of any damage or car part replacement, an individual might find it difficult to find the relevant replacement equipment.

For this reason, it is highly recommended to purchase a GCC spec car in the UAE. However, imported cars in the UAE, which are quite famous, do not have GCC approval. For this reason, the car insurance premium for the same costs more than that of a modified car.

How to Check If Car is GCC Spec?

As imported cars are pretty popular in the UAE, it is sometimes confusing to figure out which car is GCC approved and which one is non-modified. To recognise and differentiate both the car types, there are certain points you must consider: 

• One of the primary ways to check for the same is by validating the VIN (vehicle identification number) of your automobile. It is fundamentally the chassis number of the car and comprises a total of 17 characters. If the initial character of the vehicle identification number starts with ‘W’, one can be assured that the car is GCC approved.

• Another way to recognise a modified car is by checking the chassis plate of the car. If it is written in the Arabic language and is present on the door card, then it is a GCC spec car.

• You can also tell whether the car is GCC approved or not by the inscriptions mentioned on the side mirrors. If they are in Arabic, then the car is modified.

How is a Non-GCC Car Different from a Modified Car?

When comparing a GCC car with a non-modified one, you must look into the following features to understand the difference between them precisely:

• Improvised Air Conditioning: ACs installed in cars for normal weather conditions are not suitable for cars produced in the UAE. The reason behind this phenomenon is that keeping the air conditioner on for a long time can overheat the machine and result in damage. Thus, ACs in GCC spec cars are designed in such a way that they can sustain even in harsh weather. 

• Better Radiator Technology: The radiators fitted in the UAE-designed cars are strong, large, and equipped with advanced technology that controls the car's engine from getting overheated. This feature leads to better performance of the car in the GCC region. 

• Enhanced Filtration System: The filtration technology installed in the GCC cars is likely to protect cars from dust and sand. In this type of car, this system is more altered than the usual one as the climate is extremely dusty.

• Additional Rust-Free technology: While the UAE is mostly known for the desert, people in the country also experience extremely humid weather conditions, especially in coastal areas. Such excess moisture can result in corrosion of the car, with the steel parts of your car getting rusted. To reduce this corrosion, GCC cars have an exclusive system to ensure a rust-free car.

GCC Specs Car Vs American Specs

If you are trying to find out whether a car with GCC specifications is better than one with American specifications, check out the following points -

• GCC approved cars have more capacity in terms of radiators compared to American specs cars

• The rust protection modified cars have is more effective than that of American specs cars

• The air conditioning system installed in a GCC-modified car is more effective compared to American specs cars, as it works better in the hot climate of the UAE even when you keep it on for a long time

How Can I Find a Better Car Insurance Plan If It Is Not GCC Approved?

Insurance companies in the UAE offer options to provide car insurance to non-GCC cars. As it is a law in the country to insure your car, don’t get bothered about purchasing apt car insurance for a non-GCC car even if the options are few. 

You can easily choose any provider that meets all your car requirements by carefully comparing the best plans for the same in the UAE. In case, you are unable to find the best GCC insurance plan for your car, you can reach out to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). To acquire more information on the same, you can visit its official website or connect via the toll-free number available on its website if you wish to speak to one of the representatives of the RTA.

Key Takeaways

By going through the details mentioned above, you will have a clear understanding of what is GCC spec car and how to check if car is GCC spec or not. This knowledge is vital, as it is essential to understand how a GCC car is different from other non-modified cars (such as cars with American specs approval). For a climate with scorching heat and humidity, having a GCC car is of utmost importance as it not only protects your vehicle but helps you insure the car with a better car insurance plan. Moreover, in case you come across any faulty non-GCC car, it can be challenging to look for appropriate replacement parts.

Thus, it is always a better decision to go for GCC cars over imported cars as the latter doesn’t have the features of a modified car. Nevertheless, even if you have a non-GCC one, you will still be able to have appropriate insurance for it.

Whichever type of car you have, you can check relevant car insurance plans on our website. Continue on policybazaar.ae and go to the ‘car insurance’ section to find the best plans for car insurance in UAE in one place.

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