Can you check this Mercedes for me?
Mercedes-Benz C-Class CDI Sport: reg no 12 D XXXX: is this car ok to buy from a private sale?
Nora Cohalan (Lissarda Co Cork)Apr 2017 Filed under: history
Expert answer
Hi Nora,
I'm afraid we can't do that check for you, as there's a small fee. Your best bet is to go directly to Cartell.ie and pay for a full history and finance check. It's not expensive and a great investment. We do it ourselves when buying used cars.
Why do used car prices vary so much?
Why do similar cars, spec and mileage from dealers vary in price, sometimes by a few grand?
Niall Dalton (Moycullen)Jul 2016 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Niall,
Because each dealer’s business is different. Most, if not all, used cars on a dealer’s forecourt will have come in as a trade-in, so the price that the dealer needs to ask (in order to cover their costs and turn a profit) will be different. The amount that they offered the previous owner for that trade-in will be based not just on the intrinsic value of the car itself, but on a number of other factors, especially how many of that make and model the dealer might already have in stock and has to sell before that one moves on. Plus, each dealer has differing overheads such as ground rent, investments in showrooms, staffing levels etc. Beyond that, some dealers offer comprehensive and proper warranties on their used stock, the cost of which has to be factored into the price of each car.
Which is not to excuse dealers from random pricing. One of the great limitations of the Irish used car market is that, unlike the UK where we have access to thinhs such as the CAP Guide and Glass’ to give solid indications for second hand trade values, in Ireland it’s a much more suck-it-and-see, sure-it’ll-be-grand approach.
What cars are best-suited to importing?
In terms of VRT, what are the best value used cars to import (from the UK) in the large family saloon/mid range exec range?
Brian Quinn (Drogheda)Apr 2016 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Brian,
Well, it's all down to the CO2 emissions because it's that on which the rate of VRT will be applied. You need to do your homework though as cars that can be quite affordable in the UK can be wildly over-priced in the Irish market leading to you paying more VRT than you really should do.
Ideally, you need to be spending above €30k on a car to make it truly worth your while on importing a car, thanks to the exchange rate. The BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class are all well worth looking at, as well as higher-spec versions of the likes of the Skoda Superb, Volkswagen Passat and Mazda6.
Tell me more about PCP finance.
Hi, do most garages offer PCP finance and do they only offer it on new vehicles or would you be able to get it on a second hand car? I have always got Credit Union loans so haven't a clue about PCP, but it looks good.
Thanks so much
Sabrina
SABRINA O'SULLIVAN (BEARA)Jul 2015 Filed under: finance
Expert answer
Hi Sabrina,
PCP finance can be a relatively easy way to get finance for a new car, but make sure you read up about its advantages and disadvantages. A good starting point is our own guide to car finance.
There are very few PCP finance options for buyers of used cars. The whole thing is designed around the car manufacturers' desire to get repeat new car business every few years.
Can you give us used car sales data for 2013?
How many used cars were sold in 2013? And how many of those through dealers vs. private sale?
Mark Spring (BEARA)Jul 2014 Filed under: miscellaneous
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
Apparently those figures aren't so easy to come by... We asked Cartell.ie, the vehicle records experts, for a little help. The most recent indication we have, based on results for the first four months of 2014, compared to the first four months of 2013, shows all non-trade sales are up 14.4%, all transactions into trade up 26.4%, all transactions out of trade up 22.9%, all import transactions up 24.5%, and trade to trade transactions are up 28.1%. The total increase all transactions for the period of 19.2%.
More information on that data can be found in this news story
Should I wait until January to buy this Focus Estate?
I have a Ford Focus Estate with 170,000 miles on the clock. I intend to change it for another Focus Estate with 55,000 miles on the clock for €11,000 this month. There is only a choice of two near me. Both about the same mileage and price. Should I wait until January 2014? Will there be more choice then? Will a 2009 car drop in price on 1st January if I gamble on it being still for sale then?
Thanks, Green wood worker
Kevin Downing (Dublin)Oct 2013 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Kevin,
Although the extra year on the car will have a small effect on the price, waiting until January probably won't help very much. There was a dearth of new car sales in 2009, which is propping up the second hand prices of cars sold in that year (and indeed in 2010, 2011 and 2012). Unless there is a vast rush of buyers trading in used cars for new on Jan 1st (which is, let's face it, unlikely) then the price of a 2009 model isn't especially likely to suffer a significant drop.
Why are dealers selling so many used UK/NI cars lately?
Why are dealers selling so many used UK/NI cars lately?
Mike Driscoll (Cork)Aug 2013 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Mike,
That's because there is a severe lack of good quality used cars on the Irish market, especially for model years 2008 - 2011, due to low new car sales here during that period.
Dealers are resorting to importing cars for customers.
Would it make sense to buy an old model petrol Kia Sportage?
Would it make sense to buy an old model 2010 Kia Sportage 2.0-litre petrol with less than 20,000 kilometres on the clock? Asking price is €13,000. What kind of mpg should I expect (most of my driving is out of town)?
Patrick Glen (Dublin)Jun 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Patrick,
The official fuel figure for the Sportage petrol model of that era was 27mpg, but we'd expect you will probably do a little lower than that, most likely around 25mpg. It's not terrible, and you have to play that off agains the extra that a diesel model would cost, but it's not exactly economical. Then again, with a bit of practice and technique, you may be able to do better.
Other than that, it makes entirely good sense. Sportages are rugged and pleasant to drive and very practical too. One thing; the price seems a touch high, although that could have to do with there being a dearth of good 2009-2010 used cars around in general, as well as the very low mileage.
Is this SEAT Cordoba a good buy?
Is a 2010 SEAT Cordoba with 37,000 kilometres on the clock a good buy?
Breda Feicks (Co Kilkenny)Nov 2012 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Breda,
We've deleted the registration number from your original question, but please note that we can't do the full history check for you. Go to Cartell.ie for that. Neither can we tell whether a specific car is in good condition etc. without seeing it for ourselves.
However, we can tell you that the Cordoba is generally a solid car, based as it is on the Volkswagen Polo. Make sure you take a good test drive in it and listen out for any unusual sounds. As with all used cars, take the time to try every switch to make sure it all works as well.
Hope that helps, and let us know how you get on.
What is the new system for imported cars' registration numbers?
Hello, first of all congrats on a great Irish car website. It seems that the system of registering a imported used car has changed since late last year. It is now easy to spot imported Dublin registered cars because the plate starts at 120,000 upwards. I cannot find any information on the Revenue website but I remember reading a newspaper article in early 2012 about it. What are the starting numbers for other counties especially Wicklow?
Jerome O'Connor (Wicklow)Nov 2012 Filed under: registration
Expert answer
Hi Jerome,
This change was made in December 2011 and as you rightly point out, imported used cars registered in Dublin start at 120,000. That's for each year of manufacture, so the first important car from 1994 will start 94 D 120000 and there could also be a 01 D 120000 for instance. Each of the counties has a different starting number appropriately higher than the highest number of cars sold in that county in any year. The list doesn't appear to be available online, but we've requested it for information and will pass it on as soon as we get it.