Driven out by debt: Over 3,000 abandoned cars found at Dubai airport

Driven out by debt: Over 3,000 abandoned cars found at Dubai airport
When you hear of Dubai, you think of a luxurious tax-free wealth lifestyle only few could afford. Of course for auto enthusiasts, Dubai is the land where one can spot some of the most expensive and exclusive automobiles of the world. However, faced with debt and shrinking credit, those living the high-life are abandoning Dubai along with their luxurious homes and expensive cars.

According to TimesOnline, police have located more than 3,000 abandoned cars near Dubai’s international airport in recent months. Most of the cars are said to be four-wheel-drive SUVs, sedans and “a few” Mercedes-Benz models. Those running away from their debut left their keys in the ignition while some even left their maxed-out credit cards in the glove box. A few even left an apology notes on the windscreen.

“Every day we find more and more cars,” said a senior airport security official. “Christmas was the worst – we found more than two dozen on a single day.”

The security official said that a lot of people were living a very luxurious lifestyle that they couldn’t afford and were unable to pay their mortgages without available credit.

So why just abandon your amazing house and car and run away? Well, under Dubai law, punishment for defaulting on debt is punishable with jail. Those who leave everything behind are known as “skips.”
Read Article

LeCarLeCar - 2/20/2009 1:22:20 AM
-1 Boost
This car belong to one of the Sheik's son.



LeCarLeCar - 2/20/2009 1:30:01 AM
-2 Boost
These Dubay's royal families are extremely wealthy which explains the (#1) plate number. This car was custom made just for him. Hence this car don't belong in this article.




M53RM53R - 2/20/2009 6:25:42 AM
-3 Boost
But if you compare population, you'll understand why America is the reason, not Dubai. These people were all affected because of global recession. They didn't cause it.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 2/22/2009 4:00:40 PM
+2 Boost
Wrong, M53R. They were doing the exact same things that many Americans were doing--spending beyond their means and not thinking about the consequences. It doesn't matter what size the population is, it messes up the economy either way. Nobody is truly "innocent" these days.


JUGNUJUGNU - 2/20/2009 4:38:48 AM
-1 Boost
yeah, i have also seen some abandend cars in airports, some with really funny writings on the windscreens. Most of these people as writtien in article are expatriates who were living and spending more than they can afford.

JUGNU


tangotango - 2/20/2009 9:17:13 AM
-1 Boost
Here's another possibility. Many people living in Dubai are expatriates. Possibly, it's just more convenient when their contract is up and they are leaving to drive to the airport and leave the vehicle (which in many cases is paid for by the company out of one's salary) than to sit around for weeks trying to sell it on.


HSCenterconsoleHSCenterconsole - 2/20/2009 11:14:36 AM
+4 Boost
This is what happens when "New Money" lives too far above its means.


Lamborghini_vs_Ferrari_RacerLamborghini_vs_Ferrari_Racer - 2/20/2009 12:03:56 PM
+7 Boost
That which goes up too fast ( pun intended with fancy tall buildings ) falls down even faster.


TECHGEEKTECHGEEK - 2/20/2009 12:05:17 PM
+4 Boost
Do remember that the Sheikhs or their sons and families have done nothing special for this world. They are selfish people who think the only other worthy people in this world are the ones who are their own type. I am glad parts of the middle east are tanking. Oil will only take them so far. One requires brains to reach the top and sadly, the middle east lags behind America & Britain, Europe, Australasia and offcourse the smart parts of Asia like Japan, China, Korea, India, Singapore, etc.


thstonethstone - 2/20/2009 5:05:18 PM
+3 Boost
Good job on getting the facts!


Lamborghini_vs_Ferrari_RacerLamborghini_vs_Ferrari_Racer - 2/21/2009 5:44:20 PM
+1 Boost
Herr/San/Segnore - Would you prefer speaking in German/Japanese/Italian ?


Lamborghini_vs_Ferrari_RacerLamborghini_vs_Ferrari_Racer - 2/22/2009 6:36:55 PM
+1 Boost
Well you forgot to mentioned South Korea, Taiwan and India !
They are no less. . .


Copyright 2026 AutoSpies.com, LLC