Source of concern: Abandoned cars

According to Dubai Municipality figures for the first quarter of 2012, as much as 3,040 cars were abandoned across Dubai. This compares with 2,738 over the same period in 2011, with a difference of 302.

The number of vehicles being abandoned on the streets and in the car parks of the city is on the rise, despite the worst of the economic downturn is already over.

A few years ago, when the global financial crisis hit UAE, many debt-laden expats cut their losses, abandoned their cars, estate and loans to board the plane.

The global downturn is be easing, but one of the obvious signs of hardship is still evident, and is even on the rise.

If a car is suspected of being abandoned by its owner, inspectors from Dubai Municipality place a warning notice on it for 15 days. If the owner does not respond, the vehicle is then taken away to the scrapyard of the Contracts and Purchase Department in Al Qusais. The vehicle can be reclaimed for a Dh700 fee, but most just remain there.

A large variety of vehicles had been removed from Dubai’s streets during the past few years, including sports cars, luxury saloons, four-wheel drives, motorbikes, lorries and even boats.

In Abu Dhabi also, in 2012, more than 400 abandoned vehicles went under the hammer in a public auction. Most of the cars were impounded after having been dumped at parking areas, on roadsides or in areas without “enclosures or fences”.

Dubai Municipality also organized similar auctions in 2011.