AutoData just announced a landmark partnership with Mercedes-Benz Connectivity Services GmbH. What does this milestone mean for the future of vehicle data transparency in the UAE and the wider MENA region?
Dealers, insurers, lenders, and fleet managers will all benefit from having access to verified vehicle data, rather than relying on inconsistent or confusing specifications. Accurate vehicle identification allows dealers to price cars correctly and provides buyers with transparency about the equipment and features fitted on the vehicle they are considering. At the same time, it helps prevent fraud and misrepresentation in the marketplace. Every player in the automotive industry stands to gain from a trusted source of VIN-based data.
Historically, decoding vehicles in the UAE has been challenging due to extensive customisation and limited-production orders that don’t fit global VIN standards. How does this new partnership directly address those challenges?
OEM official VIN decoding will enable us to correctly identify the model’s name and the corresponding grade walk for popular models. While limited-production vehicles present a greater challenge, having direct access to OEM headquarters allows us to better understand the logic embedded within the 17-digit VIN structure and apply that knowledge to decode these models accurately. Our initial results are very encouraging and show that we are on the right track.
The integration brings factory-level precision in identifying trims, configurations, and equipment. How will this level of detail impact buyers, sellers, and insurers in terms of decision-making and risk reduction?
We are confident in our ability to correctly identify vehicle trim lines and most of the standard features fitted by OEMs. Through our partnership with JATO Dynamics, we also gain visibility into key safety features. This enriched dataset has significant value for insurance companies, as it helps reduce underwriting risk by providing deeper insights into the safety profile of individual vehicles. At the same time, private buyers benefit from greater transparency, as they can clearly understand which equipments are fitted on the car they are considering purchasing.
Data transparency is becoming central to consumer trust. With Vehicle Report usage tripling and 84% of buyers reporting no post-purchase issues, what does this say about how the market is evolving?
Data transparency is reshaping the used car market. With Vehicle Report usage tripling and 84% of buyers reporting no post-purchase issues, it’s clear trust is now the new currency. Buyers expect verified history and valuations as standard, not optional. Dealers and marketplaces that embrace transparency gain faster sales, higher satisfaction, and stronger loyalty, while those who don’t risk being left behind.
Factory-level integration is a significant step forward. How does this differentiate AutoData’s Vehicle Report from other vehicle history providers in the region?
Factory-level integration sets AutoData’s Vehicle Report apart in the region. Unlike other providers relying on aggregated or proxy data, Vehicle Report now pulls direct OEM data; ensuring precise VIN decoding, trim, and equipment details, even for custom or non-standard GCC builds. This first-of-its-kind integration delivers unmatched accuracy, reduces buyer risk, and builds trust, making transparency a true competitive edge.
With access to Mercedes-Benz’s global systems via secure API connections, how does AutoData ensure compliance with international data protection standards while still providing rich, actionable insights?
At AutoData, we treat compliance as the foundation of our service. With secure API connections to Mercedes-Benz’s global systems, all communication is fully encrypted, and access is controlled through authentication and role-based permissions with dynamic token. We follow data minimization principles, requesting only the information necessary for decoding and insights, and avoid storing or exposing personal identifiers.
Our infrastructure is hosted on certified environment on AWS, aligned with GDPR, ISO 27001, and other global data protection standards, with continuous monitoring and auditing in place. At the same time, we structure outputs in an aggregated, anonymized format — so customers receive rich, actionable insights such as specifications and trim details, without compromising individual privacy.
We see compliance not as a constraint but as part of delivering a trusted, world-class service, and we continuously adapt our governance practices as international regulations evolve.
Can you share examples of how this new integration has already enhanced accuracy, for instance, in decoding non-standard VINs or identifying hidden equipment?
We saw some encouraging result for decoding exotic cars such as AMG special editions (e.g. AMG – Black Series editions).
Beyond Mercedes-Benz, do you see similar OEM partnerships shaping the future of AutoData’s platform? Are other manufacturers already in discussions?
We are working on partnerships with major industry. Integrating at the API level and ensuring compatibility between datasets is a complex process that requires precision and time, but it will deliver significant value once complete. We expect to share some exciting announcements soon as these initiatives progress.
For dealers and insurers, having factory-level specifications is invaluable. How do you anticipate this will reshape their pricing models, risk assessments, and customer offerings?
Dealers: pricing models become more precise as dealers can tie valuations directly to the exact trim line and equipments fitted by the OEM. This allows them to price vehicles more competitively while maintaining margins and reducing the risk of over- or under-valuation. They can also spot inconsistencies or potential fraud in vehicle listings, lowering exposure to costly mistakes. It also enables more accurate residual value forecasting for trade-ins and lease returns.
For insurers, factory-level specifications mean moving from broad assumptions to precision. It allows more accurate risk assessment by factoring in safety features and performance differences, enables fairer and more competitive pricing models, and supports tailored customer offerings. Ultimately, it creates more transparent, risk-aligned coverage and stronger customer trust.
Looking ahead, with AutoData now delivering unmatched factory precision, how do you envision the convergence of OEM data, AI valuation engines, and digital retail platforms transforming the car-buying experience in the next five years?
Over the next five years, we see the car-buying journey becoming transparent, personalized, and almost instant. With access to factory-level OEM data, every vehicle listing will carry a verified digital build card that shows the exact specifications and options. Combined with a trusted vehicle history — covering past ownership, accidents, and claims — buyers will have a 360° view of what they are purchasing, eliminating misrepresentation and uncertainty.
At the same time, AI-powered valuation engines will make pricing fair and explainable. By combining live market signals, verified options, mileage, incentives, and vehicle history, AI can show not just the price but also the “why” behind it. This reduces haggling, improves trust, and allows retailers to sell faster while protecting margins. Trade-ins will also be transformed, with real-time appraisals that produce guaranteed offers within minutes.
Digital retail platforms will then connect everything together. Buyers will be able to see the verified specs, review the complete history, get a fair price, and complete financing or insurance within the same checkout flow. Whether they start online or in the showroom, the same price, approvals, and offers will follow them across channels.
AutoData’s role is to act as the trusted data backbone in this ecosystem. By normalizing OEM build-sheet data, integrating vehicle history, and powering AI-driven valuations, we provide the accuracy and intelligence that digital retail platforms need to deliver this seamless experience. In short, the convergence of OEM data, AI, vehicle history, and digital retail will turn car buying from a lengthy negotiation into a trusted, one-click checkout.
