Motorists in Abu Dhabi can look forward to greater protection from the authorities when it comes to car servicing and repairs.

That’s down to a pilot project which will be brought in by the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council – from now on, workshops will be rated one to five, according to the quality of their service.

The National newspaper reports that the new rating system will be based around health and safety, security, tools and equipment, methodology, appearance and materials. Not only is it hoped that the initiative will cut out the problem of sub standard workmanship, but also to empower drivers to make more informed buying choices.

Speaking to the newspaper, Jonathan Taylor, Al Futtaim Motors’ general manager, gave his backing to the scheme. He said: “The initiative is one step forward towards better safety on the roads. It will help regulate the after-sales scene and put some higher standards to existing garages, which will filter out workshops with lower standards and leave only those that can perform decent jobs. That will help to curb maintenance and repair-related issues resulting from poor servicing.”

The news is also likely to be welcomed by authorised dealers and workshops who are in line for high ratings due to their use of genuine parts and manufacturer approved work processes.

Another early supporter of the scheme is the National Traffic Safety Institute, which has highlighted the number of drivers who are concerned about serious defects which have surfaced in their cars. The Institute says these are the results of them being serviced by technicians who do not have the necessary skills or tools to do the job properly.

Next in the pipeline could be the requirement that workshop personnel have the necessary credentials to undertake work, which could be enforced by way of a test which every technician and mechanic must take before they commence a position. Given the rapid advances of technologies pertaining to the latest car models, these tests would have to be updated on a regular basis in order to remain relevant.

Here on the Simply Car Buyers blog, we often talk about how luxurious the experience of driving can be. After all, our goal is to buy your current car for a fair price so you can afford a truly high-class vehicle. However, it’s worth noting that there are different kinds of luxury. Mercedes, BMW and Lexus are three of the biggest names in luxury car manufacturing, but each one offers completely different vehicles. Which one offers the right kind of luxury for you? In today’s blog, we’ll help you answer that question so you can choose your next car with confidence.

BMW

BMW are known for offering large powerful vehicles. BMW cars combine interior comfort and spaciousness with immense durability and an air of rugged masculinity. If you want a car that expresses dynamism, toughness and adventurousness, it’s worth looking at BMW’s range first. Of course, for drivers in the UAE, BMW vehicles offer practical advantages too. Driving between major cities in the UAE can be an uphill struggle for some vehicles due to hot weather and variable road conditions. BMW cars can take these issues in their stride, making them an ideal long-range transport option for UAE nomads. If you’re interested in the type of luxury offered by BMW, you should be aware that the manufacturer has recently released its 2017 BMW 5 Series.

Mercedes

Mercedes cars can be summed up in one word: “stately”. Mercedes produces vehicles that are large but don’t seem domineering and which are often capable of great speed but don’t seem aggressive. In short, this manufacturer offers statesmanlike dignity. Mercedes cars aren’t just comfortable, they’re refined and genteel. They’re ideal for impressing passers-by when driving around town. If you’re based in Dubai (the world’s most luxurious city), Mercedes might be the manufacturer for you. If you want to add a touch of timeless class to your luxury driving experience, you should note that the latest Mercedes-Benz E-class Saloon is now available.

Lexus

Lexus predominantly offer streamlined, sporty vehicles. Many of their machines are also hybrids, which makes them perfect for environmentally-conscious car buyers. Lexus cars are highly versatile and are equally at home in town or on the open road. If you want a fast, energetic and joyously youthful driving experience, we recommend checking out the 2017 Lexus ES.

Whatever type of luxury you want, there’s a manufacturer out there that can provide it. Sell your old car today and invest the profits in a brand new luxury vehicle.

Dubai is the jewel of the United Arab Emirates and is one of the most luxurious cities on the planet. The inhabitants of this gleaming city want the best of everything. In the automotive world, having the best means having a Mercedes Benz. If you’re one of Dubai’s luxury-loving residents, you should be overjoyed to learn that Mercedes will release their new E-Class Coupe. But what exactly makes this new car from the famed automotive company so desirable?

The first thing prospective buyers will notice about the E-Class Coupe is its size. For a coupe, it’s remarkably large. Ergo, it offers spacious interiors and is a truly commanding presence on any road. However, the car doesn’t look crass or needlessly aggressive: its streamlined shape and elegant design counterbalance its size. The vehicle’s overall appearance projects effortless style and confidence.

The appearance is impressive, but not as impressive as its capabilities. Mercedes pride themselves on creating vehicles that offer incredible performance, and they’ve outdone themselves with this latest coupe. Partly thanks to its impressive 2-litre turbodiesel engine, the new E-class boasts a horsepower of 191bhp. It can go from 0-70kph in just over 7 seconds and has a top speed of 240kph.

Despite its considerable size and power, the E-class is surprisingly efficient and environmentally friendly. It has a range of 87.4kpg and emits only 119g of CO2 for each kilometre it is driven. If you’re interested in doing your bit for the environment while saving on fuel costs, the 2017 E-class Coupe may be the luxury car for you.

Mercedes’ vehicles always handle beautifully and are built to be resilient. As a result, you can expect the E-class to provide a smooth, reliable drive while dealing with the hot weather and unique driving conditions of the UAE with aplomb.

Of course, Mercedes cars are never cheap. If you’re interested in investing in this vehicle, you may wish to sell you old car to free up some funds. Here at SimplyCarBuyers.com, we can help. We’re happy to buy any car, so you can afford to buy the luxury car you really want.

In a city where it seems there is a cool car at every corner, perhaps it is only fitting that the police are getting in on the act. The newest addition to the fleet of Dubai’s police force has been confirmed as none other than the BMW i3 Electric super car.

The Dubai Police has form in terms of its taste for super cars of distinction – it already has a Porsche 918 Spyder and Bugatti Veyron in its ranks. Now, in keeping with the green initiatives which has seen electric charging stations pop up in the city, Dubai Police have announced a cleaner, but still desirable, model will be used to carry out duties.

The government got in on the act at a launch event for the vehicle, held in Dubai’s financial district. Suhail Al-Mazrouei, the United Arab Emirates energy minister, described how the acquisition was in line with efforts to ensure at least 10 per cent of all government vehicles are electric. The initiative itself is part of a wider scheme to slash CO2 emissions over a four year period by 15 per cent.

It has been suggested that high speed pursuits are one of the reasons why Dubai Police is under pressure to equip itself with high powered vehicles. Known as a forward thinking city, the steps taken by Dubai’s police to embrace sustainable technologies should certainly be applauded, and positions them as one of the world’s progressive thinking forces. A Car Free Day which was held in Dubai this year succeeded in persuading no less than 60,000 people to not use their vehicle, using other methods of transport including the metro system.

The pure battery version of the BMW i3 is capable of completing a distance of 200 km. It came away with the Best Urban Car prize during the most recent World Car of the Year awards. Using a DC charger it takes only 15 minutes to give the car full battery, which could be welcomed by a busy police force which needs its vehicles fuelled up and ready to go.

The Lexus LC Coupe has finally been launched in the UAE and not only is it beautiful but it is filled with cutting-edge technology that is typical of Lexus.

The LC Coupe was unveiled during a private event in Dubai and there is no doubt that we will see hoards of these beautiful machines flooding the streets with its drop dead gorgeous looks and performance power unit options.

The petrol engine edition churns out a massive 468 bhp from a growling, but sophisticated, V8 mounted up front through a 10-speed automatic gearbox. The high number of gears ensures that the power is always available and most importantly, always manageable. It provides the driver with a steady application of power so there are no nasty surprises when that right foot hits the floor. To further aid driveability the power is sent to the rear wheels through the same advanced rear differential that was fitted to the LFA supercar.

The eco-friendly hybrid version of the LC Coupe comes with a 295 bhp V6 coupled with a 59 bhp electric motor. While you can expect lower performance figures from the hybrid version of the LC Coupe, the benefits of the multistage hybrid system are more than enough to overcome these shortcomings.

When at highway cruising speeds (140 kph) the system stops the engine from driving the wheels and leaves that to the electric motor. The engine is then turned into a giant generator to charge the electric motor which results in far greater fuel efficiency.

As expected of any Lexus, the interior of the car is filled to the brim with luxurious touches and gadgets that make the driving experience as pleasant as possible. The seats are trimmed with leather and interior features include a Mark Levinson 13 speaker Sound System, a 10.3-inch TFT touchscreen for multimedia and GPS control, Bluetooth connectivity and Lexus’s System + which includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind spot mirrors and collision detection.

Prices range from 395,000 AED for the base “Touring” model and top out at 450,000 AED for the maxed out “Carbon Spec”.