Car Accessories in Dubai: A Personal Guide

Tbh, the three things you genuinely cannot skip are ceramic window tinting, a custom-fit sun shade, and ventilated seat covers. The Dubai heat is absolutely brutal and your car will suffer without these basics. Window tinting alone (budget 1,000–1,500 AED for ceramic) makes such a massive difference in how hot your car gets. Floor mats round out the essential package, bringing your total to around 2,000–2,500 AED for everything done properly.

Quality ceramic tinting runs 1,000–1,500 AED for a full car job. You can find cheaper options, but ngl, I tried going cheap once and the tint started bubbling and turning purple after just three months — not a good look. Go for ceramic from the start because the heat difference is insane and you’ll actually be happy with the results long-term. Ras Al Khor and Al Quoz both have good options, with Al Quoz generally offering better install quality.

After years of trial and error, Ras Al Khor is the go-to for variety and the best deals — prices there are 30–40% negotiable but you NEED to research prices before you go. For high-end stuff with quality installation, Al Quoz has amazing specialty shops (pricier but worth it). Dragon Mart is fine for basics like floor mats, but avoid anything technical or safety-related from there. Online through noon or Amazon.ae is getting better every year too, especially if you read the reviews carefully.

Nope — they’re technically not legal in Dubai, which is something I learned the hard way 😬. They look cool for about a week anyway, and then either break or you get tired of them. They’re also a great way to attract unnecessary attention from traffic police. It’s one of those accessories that’s really not worth the hassle. Stick to interior LED kits instead — those are perfectly fine and look way better anyway.

Honestly, 2,000–3,000 AED is the sweet spot. I made the mistake of spending 7,000 AED on my first setup only to realize a modest upgrade would’ve been just as satisfying. The key combo is replacing the speakers and adding a small subwoofer — that’s where you get the most noticeable difference. You really don’t need to go all out. Save the rest for other accessories that’ll actually improve your daily drive.

100% yes — prices at Ras Al Khor are typically 30–40% negotiable. The key is knowing what you’re talking about before you walk in. I always research prices online first so I have a realistic number in my head. If you walk in cold without knowing the market rate, they’ll see you coming and you’ll pay way more than you should. Do your homework, be confident, and you can get some seriously good deals there.

Dragon Mart is great for basics — floor mats, simple seat covers, non-technical stuff. But I’d seriously avoid anything technical or safety-related from there. The savings honestly aren’t worth the risk when it comes to things like electrical items or safety accessories. Same goes for body kits — they always look tempting at 1/3 of the dealer price, but the paint match is always off and they never fit right. Stick to simple items there and go elsewhere for anything important.

Yes, some modifications in Dubai do need RTA approval before you do them. It’s definitely better to check beforehand than to pay fines later. As a general rule, always keep your receipts and warranty cards for any accessories you buy too — the Dubai heat can cause even good quality accessories to fail sometimes, and you’ll want that warranty protection. When in doubt, just check with the RTA or ask at a reputable shop — they’ll usually know what’s legal.

For basic stuff like seat covers and floor mats, DIY is totally fine — just take your time and watch some YouTube tutorials first. But for anything electrical — LED kits, audio systems, dash cams — always get professional installation. I tried DIY-ing my first LED kit and nearly fried my car’s entire electrical system 😬. It’s not worth the risk. The cost of professional install is small compared to potential electrical repair bills.

Ngl, most of them are a complete waste of money. Those “performance enhancing” chips you see at every accessories shop are mostly just fancy-looking resistors that do absolutely nothing except drain your wallet. They’re sold everywhere and look convincing, but the results are basically zero. Save your money for upgrades that actually make a real, noticeable difference — like an audio upgrade or a quality LED kit install.

Skip the cheap magnetic ones from the gas station — they’ll drop your phone faster than Dubai’s temperature drops in winter lol. A quality phone mount is worth spending properly on. A MagSafe-compatible mount (around 200–300 AED) is rock solid and holds through Dubai’s bumpy speed humps no problem. You can find quality mounts at places like YAS Mall in Abu Dhabi, or check noon/Amazon.ae reviews carefully for good options online.

It really depends on quality. Cheap tint can start bubbling after just 3 months, cheap sun shades warp in 2 months, and leather seats can crack after just one summer without protection. Quality items hold up much better — a custom-fit sun shade from Al Quoz has been going strong for 2+ years. The general rule: whatever you buy in Dubai, go one tier up in quality compared to what you’d buy back home, because the heat is genuinely that harsh on materials.

Yes, interior LED kits are totally worth it — they’ve come a long way and can completely transform the vibe of your car. Budget around 700–1,000 AED for a good install at Ras Al Khor. The key is finding someone who knows how to install them properly — my first attempt with a cheaper installer led to constant electrical issues. Go to a reputable shop, even if it costs a bit more, and get it done right the first time.

Definitely yes — it’s a smart investment given Dubai’s traffic. A quality dash cam runs 500–800 AED and can save you a lot of headaches if you’re ever in an accident dispute. It falls in the mid-range upgrade category alongside the audio system and LED kit. Like all electrical accessories, get it professionally installed to avoid any issues with your car’s electrics. Keep the warranty card too in case the heat affects it.

For the essential basics (quality tinting, sun shade, seat covers, floor mats), budget around 2,000–2,500 AED. If you want to go further with upgrades like a mid-range audio system, interior LEDs, a quality phone mount, and a dash cam, that’s another 3,400–5,100 AED on top. Total for the full setup: roughly 5,500–7,600 AED. Prices are from early 2024 so always double-check, as the market changes fast in Dubai!