Transfer Vehicle Ownership Qatar 2026: Metrash Steps, Fees and Documents
Buying or selling a used car in Qatar ends with one legal step: moving the Istimara (vehicle registration card) from the seller’s name to the buyer’s name. The whole process now runs through the Metrash app, and most transfers complete without a single office visit. This guide walks both sides through how to transfer vehicle ownership qatar residents complete in Metrash. Last verified: October 2026.
QUICK REFERENCE: Transfer Vehicle Ownership at a Glance
- Transfer fee: QR 200, paid by the seller inside the Metrash app. Older MOI schedules list QR 100, but the app charges QR 200.
- Buyer approval in Metrash is mandatory. The transfer cannot finish without it.
- All traffic fines on the vehicle must be cleared first. Unpaid fines block the transfer.
- Insurance must be issued or transferred in the buyer’s name.
- Fahes inspection is required for vehicles older than 3 years, around QR 150.
- The buyer can initiate the request and pay the vehicle value through the app.
This transfer vehicle ownership qatar guide walks you through the Metrash steps for buyers and sellers.
Documents You Need
Four document groups cover the transfer.
Identity and Vehicle Documents
- Valid Qatar IDs of both the buyer and the seller.
- The original Istimara (vehicle registration card).
Insurance and Fahes Certificate
- A valid insurance policy in the buyer’s name. Third-party liability is the legal minimum. Comprehensive policies can often be transferred or converted; confirm with your insurer.
- A Fahes inspection certificate, when the vehicle’s age requires it.
Metrash Accounts and Clear Fines
- Active Metrash accounts for both buyer and seller, with the correct mobile numbers registered.
- No pending traffic fines or violations linked to the vehicle or its plate number.
Check the fines first. Open Metrash or the MOI portal and check fines by plate number. The system will not let the transfer proceed while any fine is unpaid. See our traffic fines guide for the full list.
Special Cases When You Transfer Vehicle Ownership in Qatar
- For financed vehicles: written approval or a mortgage release from the bank.
- For company-registered vehicles: the Commercial Registration (CR) and an official company authorization letter.
Seller’s Steps (Metrash)
The seller starts the transfer vehicle ownership qatar process in the Metrash app.
Start the Transfer Vehicle Ownership Qatar Request
- Log in to the Metrash app with your QID number and password. This starts the seller side of the transfer vehicle ownership qatar process.
- From the home screen, tap Traffic, then select Vehicles.
- Select Vehicle Ownership Transfer. Your registered vehicles will appear.
- Select the plate number of the vehicle you want to transfer.
- Enter the buyer’s QID number and mobile number. Double-check both.
- Declare whether the vehicle is a gift. If it is not a gift, enter the agreed vehicle value.
- Enter the buyer’s date of birth when the app asks for it, then tap Submit.
Buyer Approval, Fee Payment and Delivery
- Wait for the buyer to approve. The buyer receives a notification in their Metrash app.
- Once the buyer approves, pay the QR 200 transfer fee in your Metrash app.
- Choose how the new Istimara is delivered: by QPost, or by collection from the Traffic Department headquarters in Madinat Khalifa.
The Buyer-Initiated Flow
The newest Metrash flow also lets the buyer start the request. The buyer enters the seller’s details, marks gift or sale, enters the vehicle value and their date of birth, and sends the request to the seller for confirmation. The buyer can pay the vehicle’s value through the app. In-app payment is safest because it leaves a record, but confirm the amount and never approve before inspecting the car. Either side can start it, but both sides must confirm.
Protect Yourself After the Sale
Sellers can print the Vehicle Ownership Transfer Certificate on Hukoomi for QR 10. This is proof of your past transfers and protects you against fines incurred after the sale date.
Buyer’s Steps: The Approval Flow
Once the seller initiates, the buyer completes the transfer vehicle ownership qatar approval in their own Metrash app.
The buyer’s approval is mandatory in every transfer vehicle ownership qatar transaction. It stops fraudulent transfers and confirms you actually agreed to the purchase.
Review and Approve the Transfer Request
- Watch for the transfer request notification in your Metrash app after the seller submits.
- Log in and open the pending ownership transfer request.
- Review the vehicle details carefully: plate number, make, model, and the seller’s information.
- Approve the transfer in the app. Do not approve until you have physically inspected the car and agreed on the price.
Confirm Insurance and Clear Fines
- Make sure your car insurance is in your name. The transfer cannot complete without valid insurance under the buyer’s name.
- Confirm there are no outstanding fines on the vehicle.
Receive Your New Istimara
- Receive the new Istimara under your name by QPost delivery, or collect it from Madinat Khalifa.
Pay the Seller Only After Final Approval
Complete the payment to the seller only after the transfer is approved and finalized in Metrash. Never hand over the full amount on a promise that the transfer will be done tomorrow.
Fees 2026
Three cost groups make up the total.
The QR 200 Transfer Fee
| Item | Cost | Paid by |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership transfer fee | QR 200 | Seller, inside Metrash |
Why QR 200 and not QR 100? Older MOI fee schedules list QR 100 for ownership transfer, but the current Metrash app charges QR 200. The app charge is what you will actually pay.
Inspection, Delivery and Certificate Costs
| Item | Cost | Paid by |
|---|---|---|
| Fahes inspection (when required) | Around QR 150 | Buyer or seller, by agreement |
| QPost Istimara delivery | Delivery charges apply | As selected in the app |
| Hukoomi transfer certificate | QR 10 | Seller (optional proof) |
Insurance and Pre-Purchase Inspection Costs
| Item | Cost | Paid by |
|---|---|---|
| Third-party car insurance | Approx. QR 400 to QR 700 per year | Buyer |
| Comprehensive insurance | Roughly 2 to 4 percent of car value per year | Buyer |
| Independent pre-purchase inspection | Around QR 200 to QR 300 | Buyer |
Fahes Inspection Requirements
Inspection rules depend on the car’s age and status.
When Fahes Inspection Is Required
Fahes is Qatar’s official vehicle inspection program. Vehicles older than 3 years generally need a valid Fahes inspection before the registration can be transferred. New cars usually do not need an inspection for their first registration period.
How to Book and What It Costs
Book through the WOQOD app and take the car to a Fahes station. The inspection fee is commonly around QR 150. If the vehicle fails, a reinspection is usually available, but check the current Fahes procedure before you book, since station hours and rules change.
Why Buyers Need an Independent Inspection Too
As a buyer, do not rely only on Fahes. Fahes checks roadworthiness, not accident history. A separate pre-purchase inspection at an independent workshop (around QR 200 to QR 300) is one of the best investments in the whole buying process.
When an In-Person Visit Is Still Needed
- Mortgaged or financed vehicles, until the lender releases the lien.
- Court-auction vehicles, which need the official letter verified at the counter.
- Company-owned vehicles with complex authorization paperwork.
- Cases where the app throws a technical error or flags a document mismatch.
Visit the Traffic Department headquarters in Madinat Khalifa, or the sections in Mesaimeer, Souq Waqif, and Al Shamal. Mesaimeer is also open on Saturday from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. Confirm hours before you go.
Common Rejection Reasons and How to Fix Them
Most transfer vehicle ownership qatar rejections come from unpaid fines or mismatched documents.
Fines and Expired Istimara
| Rejection reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| Unpaid traffic fines | Pay every fine via Metrash or the MOI portal, then resubmit |
| Expired or invalid Istimara | Renew the Istimara first, then transfer |
Insurance and Wrong Buyer Details
| Rejection reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| Insurance not in the buyer’s name | Issue a new policy or transfer the existing one to the buyer before approval |
| Wrong QID or mobile number | Cancel and re-enter the buyer’s details carefully |
Loan, Fahes and Missing Buyer Approval
| Rejection reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| Active loan or mortgage | Get the bank’s written approval or a full mortgage release |
| Fahes certificate missing or expired | Complete the Fahes inspection and attach the certificate |
| Buyer never approves | Confirm the buyer’s registered mobile number and ask them to check Metrash notifications |
Used-Car Buyer Tips
Three checks protect every buyer.
Check the Car’s History and Identity
- Check the car’s accident history before negotiating.
- Verify the VIN on the chassis matches the VIN on the Istimara.
Verify Legal and Financial Status
- Check for pending fines on the plate number through Metrash or the MOI portal.
- Confirm the Istimara is valid and that no bank loan is registered on the vehicle.
Inspect and Pay Safely
- Get an independent pre-purchase inspection for any car older than 3 years.
- Finalize payment only after the ownership transfer is approved and completed in Metrash.
Official Source
The ownership transfer service runs on the Ministry of Interior’s systems. For the official service details and any rule changes, check moi.gov.qa.
FAQs
Conclusion
To transfer vehicle ownership qatar sellers and buyers complete the whole process in Metrash: the seller submits, the buyer approves, the QR 200 fee is paid, and the new Istimara arrives. Clear the fines first, get the insurance in the buyer’s name, and print the Hukoomi transfer certificate for your records. The vehicle ownership transfer qatar process is fully digital when both parties cooperate, so plan your transfer vehicle ownership qatar timing around the Fahes inspection validity.
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