Cars Ireland - Ireland´s Comparison Website.

New statistics from Motorcheck.ie show that the new car industry has suffered an unprecedented drop in sales of 73% for June 2013 when compared with June 2012.
This devastating result comes right before the introduction of the new 132 number plate bringing the total number of new cars registered for 2013 up to 52,978. That's 20% down on the 2012 total of 66,334 for the same period.
Commenting on the latest statistics Managing Director Shane Teskey said "The introduction of the 132 number plate from July 1st may have put some buyers off registering a car in June. The next week or so will be a very important period for an industry that's already in crisis".
Volkswagen maintain the top spot with 13% of sales, followed closely by Toyota with 11% and Ford at 10%.
The Volkswagen Golf remains Ireland's most popular model this year with 2,673 (5.1% of the total market) units sold. The Nissan Qashqai is in second place with 2,397 (4.5%) units registered whilst the Ford Focus takes third position with 1,938 (3.7%) registrations.
Diesel engines remain popular with 73% of the total.
60% of all new cars registered were in Band A.
Used Imports Grow by 22%
However it isn't all bad news for the exchequer as the number of imported second hand cars has grown by 41% in June and now totals 24,826 - an increase of 22% for the year to date.
The most popular car to be imported second hand is the Ford Focus with 2,039 registrations followed by the Audi A4 (1,461) and the Volkswagen Passat (1,361).

Buying a used car can be intimidating. After a house, it will be the second-most expensive purchase a person will ever make. But if you educate yourself beforehand, ask the right questions and rely on experts when you need them, the process can be much less stressful - and perhaps even enjoyable.

First you have to figure out what you want (and what you can afford). Unlike buying new, the choices of paint, options and upgrades have already been made.
You are going to be buying a car that likely has little or no manufacturer's warranty left, so reliability and condition will be major factors in your decision.

There are many publications and websites that will give you a range of prices for used vehicles, known problems and practically every vehicle has at least one Internet forum devoted to it, with a wealth of information from hundreds of owners.

Many people overlook running costs and those can make a bargain car hopelessly expensive. Call your insurance agent and find out what the car you're thinking of will cost to insure. Have your financing in place before you go shopping and stick to it.
(And make sure the car you have chosen fits your parking space. A surprisingly large number of people have bought the car of their dreams only to find it doesn't fit in their garage or is too large to be parked on a narrow lane.)
You will have to choose whether to buy from a dealer or an individual. A dealer sale often gives you more rights than a private sale, and you may get a limited warranty or a roadside assistance package thrown in – these are things you can bargain for. You may be able to strike a better deal with a private seller, but you have limited redress if the car turns out to be a lemon, and private sellers won't take your trade-in.

Take every car for a test drive and note any unusual noises, vibrations or smells. Don't assume that high-mileage cars are more tired than low-mileage vehicles. A low odometer reading may indicate the car was only ever driven in the city, which is considered severe driving because of the constant stops and starts. Look for patched holes and wear marks that shouldn't be there: holes in the roof that could have held a taxi light, for example.
And ask if the car comes with a complete service history, which indicates it has been properly maintained. Be suspicious if those records are unavailable.

Make the sale conditional on an inspection by a trusted mechanic. If you don't have one, ask cabbies where they take their cars. People who rely on their vehicles to make a living don't take their cars to a shady garage: if you are referred to a shop whose lot is filled with cabs, work trucks and delivery vehicles, congratulations, you have found an honest mechanic.

Have the car undergo a professional checkup and ask the mechanic to note any deficiencies in writing, with an estimate to repair them. If the vehicle needs a little work, you can negotiate down the price. If the mechanic spots large patches of rust on the frame, unreported collision damage or burning fluids, walk away and consider the money you paid for the checkup well-spent. If you live in a jurisdiction that requires an emissions test or a road worthiness certificate, make the sale conditional on it passing.
Buying a used car can be easy if you come prepared, do your homework and be prepared to spend your time looking for the right car rather than the right-now car. If you follow these common-sense rules, a second-hand car can be a first-rate purchase.

This post is provided by FBD Car Insurance Ireland. For further information on the benefits of our policies click here.

Buying a Car in Ireland

Buying a car in Ireland is in many ways similar to any other western country.

New cars must have Vehicle Registration Tax, motor insurance and motor tax before you can drive them away. It is the showroom`s duty to arrange the Registration and tax, while naturally the buyer must sort out the insurance. Ireland`s cars also have a label with information about the engine`s carbon emissions, allowing the buyer to make an environmentally friendly purchase.

When it comes to second-hand vehicles, many customers buy from a brand dealership or a garage. Customers buying for personal use have the same consumer protection under Irish law as when buying new. If you find there`s a fault with the car the seller has the responsibility to get it fixed. Ireland has the National Consumer Agency who monitor consumer rights and a visit to their website might answer any potential buying concerns.
However buying from a private individual, as opposed to a garage, is more inherently risky. The price may be lower but the seller is a private individual and not a business. Therefore he is not subject to the same legalities as a commercial venture. Make sure you are happy with the vehicle before committing. If you are not lucky enough to have car mechanic as a friend, it might be worthwhile calling in the AA or a similar motoring organisation for a vehicle check. In Ireland this can be done easily over the Internet with a quote for the inspection fee.
The situation is also different if buying at an auction. Remember the auction house staff are usually not mechanics. If the buyer discovers any problems after the gavel has banged on the table that will be his problem and not the auctioneer. It seems common sense then that bidders make sure they have perused the terms and conditions and had a good poke under the bonnet. There again take a friendly mechanic or speak with your motoring organisation.

Thankfully we are now living in the information age and web sites like Funky Motors offer free vehicle history reports. Simply key in the registration number into the computerised search engine and the car`s history will be with you in moments. A huge database of cars currently on the market, both from commercial and private sellers, is also online, complete with photographs. There is even a price comparison site to help the buyer calculate a fair price.
In Ireland, once a car has passed its fourth birthday it must have a certificate or roadworthiness every two years. Remember the owner must book the test, so don`t forget!

In conclusion when searching for used cars for sale in Ireland, know your consumer rights, consider expert advice and take advantage of the Internet.