In the UAE, car AC isn’t comfort — it’s survival. And because summer AC failures are urgent, they’re also where uninformed drivers get overcharged most. Know the common faults and their fair prices before you call a garage.
The seven most common issues: low refrigerant from a slow leak (regas + dye test: AED 150–350), a failing condenser fan (AED 300–700), a clogged cabin filter (AED 50–150 — check this first!), a leaking condenser (AED 600–1,500), a failing compressor (AED 1,200–3,500 depending on car), a blocked expansion valve (AED 400–900), and evaporator failure — the big one, since the dashboard often comes out (AED 1,500–4,000).
Red flag: any garage that jumps straight to "you need a new compressor" without a pressure test and leak dye check. A proper diagnosis takes 30–60 minutes and should be itemised on your quote.
Describe your symptoms and upload a video of the AC behaviour to get honest estimates from verified AC specialists — most respond within half an hour.