UAE residents increasingly choose car rentals over ownership

Residents in the United Arab Emirates are increasingly opting for monthly and long-term car rentals over traditional vehicle ownership. This shift is driven by a desire for greater flexibility and changing financial circumstances.

Leasing companies report significant growth in this sector. SelfDrive Mobility has seen demand for monthly and long-term leasing rise by 30–35 percent compared to last year, while Udrive reports a 14 percent year-on-year increase in registrations. Dollar Car Rental in Dubai and Oman also noted growing demand for monthly rentals from residents who previously would have considered financing or buying a vehicle.

Industry experts suggest that constrained vehicle availability due to shipping and import limitations is a key factor influencing this change. Customers who would normally purchase a car are instead choosing leasing as a more practical route due to limited model supply in the market.