Why Thousands of Luxury Cars (Ferraris) Are Abandoned Every Year in Dubai

Imagine walking through an airport parking lot in Dubai and spotting a Ferrari covered in dust, sitting abandoned like an old scooter. Sounds crazy, right? But in the Gulf Tiger, this isn’t rare at all. Every year, photos of supercars left behind in the desert heat go viral, shocking people across the world.

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The Supercar Graveyard of Dubai

According to reports, between 2,000 and 3,000 cars are deserted across the UAE every year. And we’re not just talking about regular sedans—think Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porsches, and even rare gems like the Honda NSX. These cars, worth crores, end up baking under the sun, slowly turning into ghostly reminders of Dubai’s high-rolling lifestyle.

Why Would Anyone Abandon a Luxury Car?

At first glance, it’s easy to assume the ultra-rich just get bored and toss their toys aside. But the reality is very different—and honestly, kind of tragic.

Dubai runs under Sharia-influenced laws, where debt isn’t just a financial hiccup—it’s a criminal offense. Miss a few payments, and you could be staring at jail time. For many car owners, when financial troubles hit, the only way out is to leave the country overnight. And with them gone, their luxury cars stay behind, gathering dust.

What Happens to These Cars?

Authorities in Dubai have a system in place. If a car is left untouched for too long, it gets reported, impounded, and often sold at auctions. That’s why Dubai is sometimes called the “supercar graveyard”—a city where vehicles that once symbolized power and success end up as forgotten relics.