New Golf Pushes Volkswagen to the Number One Spot

Posted by Shane Teskey on 2 April 2013 in Ask the Experts, New Cars | No comments

The eagerly awaited first quarter results for new car sales are in and Motorcheck.ie can reveal that Volkswagen is now officially Ireland’s best selling brand for 2013 (year to date).

Motorcheck.ie 2013 Fleet Car Awards Get Underway

Posted by Shane Teskey on 5 March 2013 in Fleet Car Awards | No comments

Today marked the launch of the second installment of the Motorcheck.ie Fleet Car Awards. The adjudication panel has already begin work on the long list which will be whittled down to category winners at an awards luncheon in April.

73% of Used Cars Now Sold Privately

Posted by Shane Teskey on 13 February 2013 in Ask the Experts, Used Cars | No comments

Buying “Privately” has always been synonymous with bargain hunting and the latest figures show that the vast majority of buyers are more than happy to transact directly with a current owner and bypass their local dealer.

Ireland AM Features Motorcheck.ie & Car History Checks

Posted by Shane Teskey on 4 January 2013 in Featured, How we've helped, Used Car Buying Tips | No comments

This morning we were invited into the Ireland AM studios at TV3 to chat with Mark Cagney about some of the more common problems Motorcheck comes across on a daily basis.

Car clocking, insurance write off’s, outstanding finance and a variety of other important pieces of information we report on for Irish car buyers were all featured.

Top Tips for Buying a Used Car.

Posted by Shane Teskey on 3 January 2013 in Ask the Experts, Used Car Buying Tips | No comments

If you’re currently in the process of buying a used car here are some ‘Top Tips’ that you should bear in mind and avoid buying car that’s been clocked, previously written off, still under finance, used as a taxi or NCT failed.

Irish Times chooses Motorcheck.ie for New Car Finder

Posted by Shane Teskey on 4 December 2012 in How we've helped, New Cars | No comments

We’re thrilled that The Irish Times has this week unveiled a New Car Finder on their website Irishtimes.com. The application uses data from the Benchmark Automotive and Motorcheck.ie database and gives Irish car enthusiasts a fantastic new way to search for a new car and discover what’s available in the Irish market.

Car Clocking Boss of ‘Mileage Correction’ Company Jailed

Posted by Shane Teskey on 23 November 2012 in Used Cars | No comments

A Swindon based trader, Colin Michael Ogle, has been jailed for nine months for car clocking. This is the first time the provider of ‘mileage correction services’, rather than the seller of clocked vehicles, has been convicted under UK consumer law.

Motorcheck.ie – Drives Renault’s ‘Carculator’

Posted by Shane Teskey on 5 November 2012 in Featured, How we've helped, Used Cars | No comments

Today marks the launch of Renault Ireland’s ‘Carculator’. An innovative website that gives users the ability to estimate the running costs of their current car for comparison against an equivalent model in Renault’s 2013 product range.

Used Car Sales Analysis

Posted by Shane Teskey on 1 November 2012 in Ask the Experts, Used Cars | 4 comments

New figures released today by our analysts show an incredible 77% of used car buyers are sourcing their next car directly from the private market and not from a dealer’s forecourt.

Toyota, Skoda and Ford Dominate in first Irish Residual Value Analysis

Posted by Shane Teskey on 19 October 2012 in Ask the Experts, New Cars, Used Cars | 9 comments

Although largely silent – one of the the biggest costs for car owners is depreciation. Hot on the heels of our new vehicle valuation service, www.textcheck.ie -(Text VALUE followed by your reg to 51155) the Motorcheck team have today produced the industry’s first comprehensive analysis of residual values.

The study examined a wide range of cars in key segments and the results show that the most popular categories are dominated by a small number of marques.

TextCheck.ie – A Great New Way to Get a Car Value

Posted by Shane Teskey on 19 September 2012 in Featured, Used Cars | No comments

TextCheck.ie is a new SMS based service from MotorCheck.ie – the Car History People.

Text VALUE followed by the Reg to 51155 to receive an instant valuation and a free identity check. A great new service that gives buyers and sellers alike the ability to Benchmark the price of any car (or van) in Ireland.

Skoda Superb Lives up to its Name

Posted by Shane Teskey on 27 July 2012 in Ask the Experts, New Cars | No comments

Last month the Skoda Superb Combi was announced as category winner in the inaugural Motorcheck.ie Fleet Car Awards. Competition in the segment was extremely strong and I was eager to get behind the wheel myself to see what gave this car the winning edge.

Is the Toyota Corolla Ireland’s Unluckiest Car?

Posted by Shane Teskey on 24 July 2012 in Featured, New Cars | No comments

The notion that a buyer might be put off buying a new car because it bears the number ’13′ on the number plate was initially scoffed at but things have changed. It’s not so much a fear of the ‘Unlucky 13′ that has new car dealers worried but Fear of the Fear, if you know what I mean?

Dublin Moves to 6th Place (from 24th) in ‘Most Congested’ Stats

Posted by Shane Teskey on 10 July 2012 in Ask the Experts, Road Safety | No comments

The latest stats from TomTom show Wednesday the 28th March was the most congested day in the first quarter and Dublin commuters can expect Tuesday mornings and Thursday evenings to be the most congested times of the week to travel.

Hyundai Fleet Sales to Grow in 2012

Posted by Shane Teskey on 6 July 2012 in New Cars | No comments

Korean giant Hyundai (who also owns the popular Kia Motors) is getting very serious about the Fleet market. Not surprising really given that the brand is experiencing phenomenal growth throughout Europe and the rest of the world.

Motorcheck.ie Fleet Car Award Winners 2012

Posted by Shane Teskey on 27 June 2012 in Ask the Experts, Featured, Fleet Car Awards | 1 comment

It’s been a week since the shortlist was announced but yesterday at a special awards luncheon the winners of Ireland’s inaugural Motorcheck.ie Fleet Car Awards were officially unveiled.

Shortlist Announced for Motorcheck.ie Fleet Car Awards

Posted by Shane Teskey on 18 June 2012 in Fleet Car Awards | 4 comments

Out of an eligible 94 company cars nominated in the inaugural Motorcheck.ie Fleet Car Awards 2012, 21 have been selected by the expert judging panel to compete under the 5 main segments that are dedicated to the business user.

Ford Wins “International Engine of the Year”

Posted by Shane Teskey on 13 June 2012 in New Cars | No comments

If you haven’t already heard about Ford’s new 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine you can be sure that you’re going to! The tiny engine that can sit on a single sheet of A4 paper produces the same power as the naturally aspirated 1.6-litre engine it replaces and was today named the 2012 “International Engine of the Year”.

Announcing the Motorcheck.ie Fleet Car Awards 2012

Posted by Shane Teskey on 5 June 2012 in Fleet Car Awards | No comments

The search is on for the category winners in the newly established Motorcheck.ie Fleet Car Awards 2012. A total of 25 car brands will compete for the five distinct categories in segments primarily used by the business/corporate car driver, namely the Motorcheck.ie Fleet Car Award 2012 winner in the C-Segment, D-Segment, Estate, Executive and Premium D-Segment.

Some Pictures from Today’s Launch of the Motorcheck.ie Fleet Car Awards 2012

Posted by Shane Teskey on 5 June 2012 in Fleet Car Awards | No comments

A collection of pictures from the launch of the Motorcheck.ie Fleet Car Awards 2012.

Motorcheck.ie Fuels Topaz App with Automotive Data

Posted by Shane Teskey on 30 May 2012 in Featured, News | 1 comment

One piece of news that we couldn’t ignore this week was the new FREE ‘Topaz App’ that’s just been launched. It’s something we’ve been looking forward to seeing in the app store for a while now. Motorcheck provides the data the app uses for its mileage check facility and is a great example of how our automotive data can be used in innovative ways by our business customers.

Just how much further could your car go?

An Post Trials Electric Post Vans on City Routes

Posted by Shane Teskey on 9 March 2012 in Electric Cars | No comments

Having just returned from the Geneva Motor Show where the all electric Renault Zoe was causing quite a stir I was surprised to read that closer to home An Post and Renault Ireland are joining forces in Ireland’s first ever on-the-road trial of electrically powered post vans.

Pictures from the Geneva Motor Show 2012

Posted by Shane Teskey on 6 March 2012 in New Cars | 1 comment

This year the Geneva Motor show has more world premiers than you can shake a stick at and Motorcheck was there today to sample the atmosphere before the doors open on Thursday.

Free Fuel Anybody?

Posted by Shane Teskey on 27 February 2012 in Latest Offers & Coupons, New Cars | No comments

A letter received today from Škoda Ireland notified us about their new and innovative test-drive campaign that promises 300 KM’s of free fuel to all participants. No strings attached!

Motorcheck highlights Car Scam on RTE

Posted by Shane Teskey on 24 February 2012 in Ask the Experts, How we've helped | No comments

Consumer affairs expert Tina Leonard picked up our scam warning concerning ‘Ghost Cars’ and highlighted it with Pat Kenny on RTE Radio 1′s ‘The Today Show’.

Car Dealer Fined 1,200 Euro for Car Clocking

Posted by Shane Teskey on 8 February 2012 in Uncategorized | No comments

In a sitting of Galway Distric Court yesterday Judge Mary Fahy described the act of clocking as ‘a serious offense which merited a large fine’. The accused a Mr. Tabachuk was subsequently fined €1,200 and ordered that the €4,000 originally paid for the car be returned to the buyer.

Mini is The Cleanest Car in Ireland

Posted by Shane Teskey on 3 February 2012 in New Cars | No comments

Motorcheck.ie examines the CO2 output of over 89,000 cars registered in 2011 to crown Ireland’s cleanest car.

Rise in Online Car Scams

Posted by Shane Teskey on 20 January 2012 in Ask the Experts, How we've helped, Used Car Buying Tips | 1 comment

Motorcheck looks at an increase in one particular kind of scam that involves duping unsuspecting buyers with a ‘Ghost Car’.

FAQ – Is this car clocked?

Posted by Shane Teskey on 24 November 2011 in Ask the Experts | 1 comment

This post is designed to help Motorcheck customers who believe that they might have come across a clocked car. To explain what this could mean we decided to publish an online guide which will help with suggestions on how to proceed (or not) as the case may be.

Jenson Button to race on the streets of Dublin

Posted by Shane Teskey on 23 November 2011 in Motorsport | No comments

For the first time ever, one of the leading F1 teams in the world will take to the streets of Dublin as Jenson Button races his F1 Vodafone McLaren-Mercedes along our cobbled streets

Frozen Windscreen's a Thing of the Past?

Posted by Shane Teskey on 17 November 2011 in Ask the Experts, Used Car Buying Tips | No comments

Cian Royston from NVD shows Motorcheck the Heatshot, a heated winscreen wash system that clears ice, snow, grease, bird droppings and dead insects from the windscreen, whilst prolonging the life of your wiper blades.

New BMW 3 Series Unveiled

Posted by Shane Teskey on 14 October 2011 in New Cars | 1 comment

The new BMW 3 Series was unveiled today in Munich. Read on to see some pictures from the event as well as the official video introduction from BMW to the car.

Motorcheck.ie Highlights Car Clocking on RTE News

Posted by Shane Teskey on 7 October 2011 in Featured, How we've helped, Used Car Buying Tips | 2 comments

A study by Motorcheck.ie shows that as many as 1 in 5 cars for sale in Ireland may have been clocked. RTE’s Nine O’Clock News picks up the story.

The ups and downs of car names

Posted by Shane Teskey on 27 September 2011 in New Cars, Used Cars | 2 comments

The history of naming cars is littered with stuff that is odd, daft, inappropriate, and often downright hilarious. Even when they try to be classical—the Mazda LaPuta was actually named after a city in Gulliver’s Travels, but means something entirely different (and easily understood) in Spanish.

New BMW 1 Series is a 'Completely New Car'

Posted by Shane Teskey on 20 September 2011 in New Cars | No comments

Motorcheck.ie visit the Howth Yacht Club for a sneak preview of the new BMW 1 Series that’s due to be officially launched in Ireland mid October.

Pictures from the Frankfurt Motor Show 2011

Posted by Shane Teskey on 14 September 2011 in New Cars | No comments

Motorcheck went along armed with a fully charged digital camera and a pair of comfortable shoes to capture the amazing cars on show at this years event.

Auto Badges, Leapers, Indian Heads and Trumpet Tooters

Posted by Shane Teskey on 13 September 2011 in Specialist Cars & Clubs | No comments

Motorcheck takes a look at the history of the car hood ornament and its popularity before we got worried about the pedestrians who got in their way.

The Concept of Concept Cars

Posted by Shane Teskey on 6 September 2011 in New Cars | No comments

A recent preview of Ford’s concept EVOS prompted us to wonder about showcars generally, so we took a look at the history of the showcar, from the probably practical to the downright bizarre.

Tequila Fuel Sunset in Ireland, The Smooth Taste of the New B-Class and Fishing for Next Years Buyers

Posted by Shane Teskey on 30 August 2011 in New Cars, News | No comments

This week we look at some stats for FlexiFuel Sales, take a gander at the new Mercedes B-Class and tip our hat to a new service offer from VW Ireland. All this while drooling over the new Bentley Continental that’s due to make its debut in Frankfurt shortly.

Range Rover Evoque to Rival 'Ordinary Saloons'

Posted by Shane Teskey on 23 August 2011 in New Cars, News | No comments

With the new Range Rover Evoque denizens of the not-quite-so-rich-anymore better parts of Britain and Ireland’s cities will have a chance to roll out in something that doesn’t reek of carbonised environment.

Galloping Go-Juice, Three Rugby Men in an MX-5 & Top Gear Caught Tinkering

Posted by Shane Teskey on 15 August 2011 in News | No comments

It was a busy week – The AA painted a bleak picture on motoring costs, Mr. Ford (himself) paid a visit to Cork, Kia launched their new Picanto and the Top Gear team were caught tinkering with a Nissan Leaf.

Scam Warning for Irish Motor Trade

Posted by Shane Teskey on 11 August 2011 in How we've helped | 1 comment

Larry Dunne at Walden Leasing is warning Irish traders of a gang ordering cars and tyres in his name.

All Hail Arturas, Champion of Cyclists

Posted by Shane Teskey on 9 August 2011 in News | No comments

Despite the shameless PR stunt by Arturas Zuokas last week there was some interesting news ahead of the Frankfurt Motor show.

The new generation Honda Civic will be featured alongside Mazda’s CX-5 and BMW will have two close-to-production concepts from its new ‘i’ Series electric / hybrid division.

Doldrums Season

Posted by Shane Teskey on 29 July 2011 in New Cars, News | No comments

The Ford Focus reclaims the top spot, anticipation rises for Frankfurt 2012, the Jaguar E-Type is 50 years old and Saab is warned against getting involved in organised crime. It’s been a busy week!

Court Rules on Side of Consumer Against GE Money

Posted by Shane Teskey on 28 July 2011 in Ask the Experts, Used Car Buying Tips | No comments

An interesting ruling in the High Court yesterday could make it easier for car owners to terminate their hire purchase agreements but don’t expect to get away scot free!

Car Sales Slowdown after Scrappage Boost

Posted by Shane Teskey on 21 July 2011 in New Cars | 5 comments

With early indications showing a slowdown in car sales after the end of the government scrappage scheme, Motorcheck asks a number of industry insiders about their predictions for the rest of 2011 and into 2012.

Barcelona Harley Days 2011

Posted by Shane Teskey on 12 July 2011 in Specialist Cars & Clubs | No comments

It’s a great time of the year to take to the road (on two or four wheels) and Motorcheck took full advantage of the fine weather to visit one of the summer’s biggest European Harley Davidson events.

Irish Classic & Vintage Show 2011

Posted by Shane Teskey on 3 July 2011 in Specialist Cars & Clubs | 4 comments

The 2011 Irish Classic & Vintage Motor Show was a real cracker! Over 1,200 cars on show made the 20th anniversary of the event a great day out for the crowds that visited.

Here are some pictures we took on the day. What’s your favourite?

Swords Motor Show 2011

Posted by Shane Teskey on 27 June 2011 in Specialist Cars & Clubs | No comments

Motorcheck was at the National Show Centre in Swords on Saturday to visit the “Prestige, Sports and Classic Car Sale & Showcase”. There was a beautiful De Lorean on sale at the show along with a great line up of recession flouting Aston Martin, Bentley and Ferrari’s from Paddy Connolly. A tenner a head for...

Car Clocking Grips Northern Ireland

Posted by Shane Teskey on 23 June 2011 in Featured, How we've helped, Used Car Buying Tips | 1 comment

A recent undercover operation by the BBC has uncovered a rise in the number of cars being clocked in Northern Ireland.

Trading Standards are quoted as saying “We would be hard pushed to identify a town or city where there isn’t a clocker or a number of clockers operating”

Autoglass to the Rescue

Posted by Shane Teskey on 21 June 2011 in Ask the Experts, Specialist Cars & Clubs | 4 comments

Michael from Autoglass installed a new windscreen in the Mercedes yesterday advancing the restoration by one small but important step.

BMW in the Firing Line

Posted by Shane Teskey on 10 June 2011 in Ask the Experts, New Cars | No comments

Many leasing companies and those trading in BMW cars would often refer to the brand as ‘bullet proof’, the context normally referring to their reliability and strong residual values. There is however, another more practical side to the description…

Need something with a bit of extra legroom?

Posted by Shane Teskey on 27 May 2011 in Used Car Buying Tips, Used Cars | 4 comments

Motorcheck has been given exclusive access to a TTT (Transparent Trade Tender) where there are two very special vehicles going under the hammer.

Car Rental Rip-Off

Posted by Shane Teskey on 24 May 2011 in How we've helped | 4 comments

A Spanish car hire company’s fuel policy proves frustrating for Motorcheck on a recent trip to Spain.

Motorcheck introduces a 'new' New Car Search Engine

Posted by Shane Teskey on 29 April 2011 in How we've helped, New Cars | 1 comment

We’re really excited to be launching our ‘new’ New Car Search Engine. It’s the first product of our recent partnership with Jato dynamics and gives consumers the ability to compare multiple makes and model of cars across a variety of different headings.

Skoda announced as new GAA sponsors of the Premier County

Posted by Shane Teskey on 19 April 2011 in New Cars | No comments

The three year sponsorship agreement which begins following the 2011 National Leagues will see Skoda Ireland invest approx €200,000 into the Premier County per annum. As part of this sponsorship agreement, Skoda and Tipperary GAA officially unveiled the new 2011 Jersey at Croke Park on Tuesday 19th April.

Waterford Man Joins Top US Drift Team

Posted by Shane Teskey on 11 April 2011 in Motorsport | No comments

22 year old Waterford man, Dean Kearney joins Samuel Hübinette Racing in his assault of the 2011 Formula DRIFT series in the United States.

A Fabulous Fabia

Posted by Shane Teskey on 8 April 2011 in New Cars | 2 comments

I do have a certain penchant for the smell of a new car and when Skoda called to see if I’d like to drive one of their new Fabia’s for a week I was happy to take them up on the offer.

Only 1.4, yet with the Super AND Turbo charged performance it was almost as if the engine wanted to jump out of the car and I was holding it back by the steering wheel.

Clocking costs UK car buyers more than £500m a year

Posted by Shane Teskey on 31 March 2011 in Road Safety | No comments

A recent report from the BBC shows that nearly one out of every 39 cars taking an MOT vehicle test have had their mileage altered or “clocked” to show a lower figure.

Citroën Introduce New Range of 'Designer' cars

Posted by Shane Teskey on 29 March 2011 in New Cars | No comments

Irish designer Orla Kiely has brought her own distinctive style to the Citroen DS3 for a limited run of 500 vehicles.

In this video, Paul Hunt Marketing Manager at Citroen Ireland took a moment to explain the unique appeal of this limited edition car.

I think my car was clocked. What should I do?

Posted by Shane Teskey on 28 March 2011 in Ask the Experts | 5 comments

Claire bought her car last year and has started to encounter some expensive repairs. She checked its’ history online with Motorcheck only to find out that it had potentially been clocked. Now she’s in the process of negotiating with the dealer who accepts that there’s a problem with the mileage but so far has refused to take the car back.

What can she do?

Motorcheck & Jato Dynamics Join Forces

Posted by Shane Teskey on 23 March 2011 in Motor Vehicle History Reports, Used Cars | 3 comments

Motorcheck.ie is the first and only car history company to obtain a licence for Jato’s current and historic data and we’re very excited about the delivery of their data alongside our VRM (vehicle registration mark) lookup service.

Customers can now access specification and pricing information that relates to any vehicle registered new in Ireland since 1994 directly from its registration number.

Merlin Car Auctions is Ireland's Best Managed Company

Posted by Shane Teskey on 8 March 2011 in Used Car Buying Tips, Used Cars | No comments

One of our favourite partners, Merlin Car Auctions has been awarded the highly respected accolade of Deloitte Best Managed Company at an award ceremony held in the Burlington Hotel in Dublin last Friday (4th March 2011

Motoring Show Revs up on TV3

Posted by Shane Teskey on 26 February 2011 in Ask the Experts, New Cars | 1 comment

The Irish Motoring Show Xccelerate gets into gear for its third series and Motorcheck is delighted to be featured. Xccelerate will be roaring onto Irish screens for its third season launching on Tuesday 8th March 2011 at 10.30pm on TV3. The only motoring programme on Irish television, Xccelerate is produced in Ireland, with Irish cars,...

Free Passes to The Irish Times Motor Show

Posted by Shane Teskey on 22 February 2011 in Ask the Experts | 1 comment

Get your hands on a free pass to the Irish Motor Show. Simply like this post on facebook. Tickets are issued on a first come, first served basis so hurry!

If you’re outside the Dublin area we’ll need to get them in the post for you tonight so don’t delay, ‘like’ us now.

Mooney's Have Cash Waiting for Your Car

Posted by Shane Teskey on 18 February 2011 in Ask the Experts, Featured | 1 comment

Mooney’s are the first dealer in Ireland to implement their ‘Cash for Cars’ service through Motorcheck and they’ve asked us to spread the word. They have plenty of cash waiting for good quality used cars so if you’re thinking of selling a car for cash why don’t you fill in the form and see what Mooney’s will offer you.

My Two Year Old has a Bone to Pick with Renault.

Posted by Shane Teskey on 30 January 2011 in New Cars | 10 comments

When it came to choosing a new family car the Renault Fluence ticked most of the boxes. Eight weeks in however and my Two year old is seriously unimpressed.

Stolen Car Alert

Posted by Shane Teskey on 21 January 2011 in Used Cars | 21 comments

Warren Coakley of Tyrrelstown in Dublin 15 was putting his baby into the back of his Audi A4 when it was stolen right before his eyes.

The Car is an Audi A4 registered 05D88450 in the colour ‘Dolphin Grey’. It has-line badges to front, rear passenger doors and back under TDi badge (added after the pictures shown). Any assistance in tracking down the car would be most appreciated.

Strong Sales under Scrappage

Posted by Shane Teskey on 13 January 2011 in New Cars, Used Cars | No comments

Whilst the industry is understandably encouraged by the success of the scrappage scheme other commentators point out that the Government’s tax return might not be as good as it could have been.

Strong Start for New Car Registrations?

Posted by Shane Teskey on 11 January 2011 in New Cars | 1 comment

The latest statistics from the Motorcheck Car Index show that new car registrations in Ireland have gotten off to a strong start recording a 41% increase in new registrations against the first ten days in 2010.

A Classic Adventure Begins

Posted by Shane Teskey on 7 January 2011 in Specialist Cars & Clubs | 12 comments

Introducing a 1973 W114 Mercedes Coupe as a ‘great restoration project’ to your better half is a lot harder than you think!

eNews and Statistical Updates for 2011

Posted by Shane Teskey on 6 January 2011 in New Cars | 1 comment

Would you like to receive daily updates on the number of new cars registered on Irish roads? Sign up to this new free service that delivers registration statistics and news from the Motorcheck blog on a daily or weekly basis.

See how registrations for 2011 compare with 2010 on a daily basis direct to your email! New Cars, Commercials and Motorcycles – we’ve got it all covered!

Stronger Regulation for Written Off Vehicles in Ireland

Posted by Shane Teskey on 22 December 2010 in Road Safety | No comments

Motorcheck.ie welcomes the launch of a public consultation process by the Dept. of Transport and the Road Safety Authority seeking views on the development of proposals to regulate written-off vehicles in Ireland.

Settling Early on a Hire Purchase Agreement

Posted by Shane Teskey on 10 December 2010 in Ask the Experts | 49 comments

In this post we take a look at how negative equity is effecting motorists on hire purchase agreements and explore a little known mechanism for ending an agreement early. Known as the ‘half rule’ it could save you thousands!

Motorcheck Meets – Bob Flavin, Smokerspack.com

Posted by Shane Teskey on 5 December 2010 in Ask the Experts, Used Cars | 1 comment

In this video blog, Motorcheck sits down with Bob Flavin, the man behind Irish motoring blog Smokerspack.com and hears how an episode of Dragons Den inspired him to follow his passion.

Car Dealer Jailed For Clocking Cars

Posted by Shane Teskey on 3 December 2010 in Road Safety, Used Cars | 3 comments

Motorcheck examines a recent judgement that could signal a new tough stance on car clocking.

Winter Driving

Posted by Shane Teskey on 1 December 2010 in Ask the Experts, Road Safety | No comments

With bad weather engulfing the country you will find these winter driving tips from Paddy Comyn useful.

Irish Rebels Triumph over Europe’s Finest.

Posted by Shane Teskey on 10 November 2010 in Motorsport | No comments

It’s a story of Irish ingenuity, hard work and determination, plus a timely reminder that even with the odds stacked against them the Irish are capable of taking on the best in Europe and coming out on top.

Another Recruitment Site for Motor Industry

Posted by Shane Teskey on 5 November 2010 in Ask the Experts | No comments

According to Recruitauto.ie the recession has bottomed out and Auto Industry employers are looking to recruit and start growing their businesses again for the future.

GE to Order 'Tens of Thousands' of Electric Vehicles

Posted by Shane Teskey on 30 October 2010 in Electric Cars | 2 comments

Speaking in London this week, General Electric CEO Jeffrey Immelt said the company plans to place a massive order for Electric Vehicles.

He confirmed that half of GE’s sales force of about 45,000 will drive EVs meaning the numbers required will be in the tens of thousands.

Stolen Cars Seized in Balbriggan as part of Garda Operation

Posted by Shane Teskey on 23 October 2010 in Used Car Buying Tips | Comments Off

Garda begin ‘Operation Shannon’ in Balbriggan, Co. Dublin with the safe retrieval of 2 stolen cars and a further 4 in Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare.

Ireland's First Motorway Service Station

Posted by Shane Teskey on 20 October 2010 in Road Safety | 3 comments

Motorcheck.ie visits Ireland’s first Motorway Service Station.

50 times the size of an average petrol station Joe Barrett, Apple Green’s MD takes us through the range of services on offer.

Renault Release 'E.V.' Prices- batteries not included!

Posted by Shane Teskey on 18 October 2010 in Electric Cars, New Cars | No comments

Reanult Ireland’s MD, Mr. Eric Basset announces the companies pricing strategy for its wholly electric Kangoo and Fluence ZE.

New Jobs Website for Motor Industry Goes Live

Posted by Shane Teskey on 13 October 2010 in Ask the Experts, Motorcheck Mechanic | No comments

Did you know that there’s a demand for qualified mechanics all over Ireland?

Jon Pulsford of Autodirectjobs.ie tells Motorcheck about it and introduces us to his new service.

Motorcheck Saves Bill Cullen 40,000 Euro.

Posted by Shane Teskey on 11 October 2010 in How we've helped | No comments

Motorcheck helps Bill Cullen avoid buying a stolen car that was being offered in part exchange at his Renault dealership in Swords.

An 'Enthusiasts' View of The Electric Car (and bike)…

Posted by Shane Teskey on 8 October 2010 in Electric Cars, New Cars | 2 comments

Mark O’Byrnes is one step ahead of most prospective electric car owners as he has already installed an electric motor on his bicycle.

In this post, Mark, a self confessed ‘electric enthusiast’, shares his knowledge on the upcoming electric cars, exciting developments in battery technology and takes a look at the holy grail that is Nuclear fusion.

New FuelCard Website & 2 Special Offers

Posted by Shane Teskey on 6 October 2010 in Latest Offers & Coupons | No comments

The Motorcheck FuelCard has been offering Motorcheck customers a fixed price on petrol and diesel at Topaz outlets for just over two years now. The card has been extremely well received and we thought it was high time that it had a place of its own on the web.

Say hello to – http://www.fuelcard.ie. To celebrate its arrival, Topaz have given us two special offers for all current (and future) card holders.

Meet Qashqai's Little Brother

Posted by Shane Teskey on 30 September 2010 in Ask the Experts, New Cars | 2 comments

Mini drivers beware! In the ‘Juke’ Nissan feel they have come up with something that’s going to muddy the waters a bit.
In this video blog Nigel Brennan at Hutton & Meade introduced me to the car that’s described by Nissan as having an infectious energy that’s out in the city and highly contagious.

What Makes a Good Motor Factor?

Posted by Shane Teskey on 27 September 2010 in Ask the Experts, Motorcheck Mechanic | 2 comments

If you’re someone who chooses to have your car serviced at an independent garage (by independent I mean ‘non-franchise’) you probably do so because you know and trust the mechanic who’ll be working on your car.

But what about the parts that are used? Are they up to the job? Would you know the difference between an ‘OEM’ (Original Equipment Manufacturer) from an ‘OE’ (Original Equipment) part? Indeed, is there a difference?

Alfa Romeo Giulietta – Irish Launch

Posted by Shane Teskey on 24 September 2010 in Ask the Experts, New Cars | 1 comment

Replacing the popular 147 model, the Giulietta will be Alfa’s new representative in the C Segment – a very important part of the market for fleet and consumer buyers alike.

Cyril McCabe, Fleet Director for Alfa Romeo talked me through the car that was recently awarded the title of the safest Euro NCAP rated compact ever!

Outstanding Finance Still A Serious Concern

Posted by Shane Teskey on 21 September 2010 in Ask the Experts, Featured, How we've helped, Used Car Buying Tips | 2 comments

Whilst we don’t have any official statistics on the number of cars being repossessed in Ireland, when RTE’s The Consumer Show called us, we thought it was high time we conducted a survey of the current market and tried to uncover the chances of buying a used car with outstanding finance.

Read on to see the results of our survey and the segment of The Consumer Show that was aired last night.

Mini Countryman Now Available in Ireland

Posted by Shane Teskey on 19 September 2010 in New Cars | No comments

I owe Tommy Davitt at Donohoes a big ‘thank you’ for showing me the new Mini Countryman this weekend.

When he mentioned he had one being prepped for yesterdays launch I couldn’t resist the opportunity to take a peek.

I’ve always had a soft spot for the mini having owned one for a very brief spell 6 years ago but had to let it go as my better half wasn’t happy with the boot space. Included below is a some video of the Mini One Diesel I saw on the day.

Dealer Visit – J Donohoe BMW

Posted by Shane Teskey on 18 September 2010 in Ask the Experts, New Cars, Used Cars | No comments

Tommy Davitt, General Sales Manager at J Donohoe BMW took time out to tell me about his current best sellers, the impact changes to the current VRT system was having on his business and the future of the electric car for Wexford drivers.

Looking for Some American Muscle?

Posted by Shane Teskey on 15 September 2010 in Specialist Cars & Clubs | No comments

‘Muscle Cars’ – American two-door, rear-wheel-drive, mid-size cars of the late 1960s and early 1970s equipped with large, powerful V8s and sold at an affordable price for street use and drag racing. Not exactly what you’d expect to find in the Dublin / Meath & Kildare area?

Cannonball Run 2010

Posted by Shane Teskey on 12 September 2010 in Motorsport | 1 comment

Founded just as the Irish economy crashed, you might have thought the timing of the Irish Cannonball to be a little off but a visit to the start line in Merrion Square this weekend proved just how popular this event has become.

Fake Garda Warning in Circulation

Posted by Shane Teskey on 10 September 2010 in Road Safety | 5 comments

A friend of mine called me up this morning asking if I’d heard about the new tactics being used by armed gangs in Ireland.

According to her, the ploy being used to trap the innocent victim is an abandoned car seat by the road…with a fake baby in it. The idea being that an unsuspecting passer by will stop and check on the abandoned baby making themselves an easy target for the ‘gang’ behind the scheme.

The Consumers Challenge

Posted by Shane Teskey on 2 September 2010 in Ask the Experts, New Cars, Used Cars | 1 comment

In the final of three articles addressing the drastic drop in new car sales, Paul Carroll looks at the upcoming challenges facing consumers. Many consumers recognise the value in purchasing used cars, in particular 2 to 3 year old cars that have depreciated on average by 25-35%. The 2 to 3 year old used car...

Thousands of Ex-Taxis to Flood Used Car Market

Posted by Shane Teskey on 30 August 2010 in Road Safety, Used Cars | No comments

From their renewal date in 2011, all taxi and hackney licences may be granted only to vehicles that are less than nine years old.

This means that a significant number of taxis currently operating on Irish roads will no longer be able to do so when the new regulations come into force in January 2011 and it is expected that many of these cars will be disposed of in the private market

Industry Crisis – What Can Government Do To Help?

Posted by Paul Carroll on 23 August 2010 in Motorcheck Mechanic, New Cars | 2 comments

The second in a three part series, Paul Carroll looks at the potential losses facing Government from the motor industry.
We take a look at 3 possible solutions that could ensure a better environment for the industry, the Government and most importantly the consumer.

Car History People Look to the Future

Posted by Shane Teskey on 20 August 2010 in Electric Cars | No comments

I was invited along to the Radisson hotel in Stillorgan to test drive the first all-electric Nissan LEAF this week. It’s not often that a car makes such an impact that I decide to order one there and then!

2012 – A Disaster Pending for the Industry?

Posted by Paul Carroll on 13 August 2010 in Ask the Experts, New Cars, Used Cars | 1 comment

In the first of a three part analysis, Paul Carroll of Touchbase Technology Ltd looks at the recent decline in new car sales and explores future consequences for the industry.

Do We Put Too Much Faith in Tipp-Ex?

Posted by Shane Teskey on 12 August 2010 in Used Car Buying Tips | 2 comments

As you know dishonest sellers will do just about anything to sell a car. Some of the methods used to deceive people require skill and a certain level of ‘expertise’ (forging logbooks, modifying VIN numbers, etc.).

Others however need nothing more than a bottle of Tipp-Ex to execute a con and you’d be surprised how many of us fall for the latter.

First Free Topaz Gift Cards Sent

Posted by Shane Teskey on 10 August 2010 in Latest Offers & Coupons | No comments

It’s been a busy week stuffing envelopes with free gift cars from Topaz and I’m pleased to say that the promotion has been extended for a further three months.

If you haven’t applied for a card yet – what are you waiting for? It’s free!

Renault Dealers On Top With 286 Sales Per Dealer

Posted by Shane Teskey on 6 August 2010 in New Cars | 1 comment

In terms of new cars sold ‘per dealer’, Renault are out in front with 286 cars per dealership ahead of VW with 200 cars per dealer.

To see the breakdown for the Top 10 read on…

Joyriding on Public Roads

Posted by Shane Teskey on 30 July 2010 in Road Safety | 2 comments

Having witnessed over 45 examples of circular black tyre tracks in Donegal over the weekend, Motorcheck.ie asks the question – Is joyriding on public roads a problem confined to the north-west or a phenomenon that’s becoming commonplace nationwide?

Do Service Departments Take Advantage of Woman Drivers?

Posted by Shane Teskey on 27 July 2010 in Ask the Experts | 4 comments

Unexpected repairs can be an unwelcome source of anxiety but most of us are resigned to the fact that keeping a car in good condition means having it serviced by a reputable mechanic that we trust to give us decent value for money.

But what happens if for one reason or another you lose that trust and suspect that you’re being taken advantage of? A lady who described herself as a ‘Concerned Female Motorist’ writes to us with just this problem.

Two More Main Dealers Forced to Close

Posted by Shane Teskey on 22 July 2010 in New Cars | 6 comments

McKeown Motors – main dealers for BMW, MINI, Opel, Mitsubishi, Kia and Peugeot for 30 years in Co. Meath closed their doors yesterday and Cashel Motor Works main dealers for Volvo, Peugeot and Citroen in Co. Tipperary are due to close on the 29th of this month.

Both were well established dealerships with excellent reputations nationwide – so why would they be going out of business if as SIMI suggest “with this upturn in business, garages can start to re-employ staff they had to let go last year”.

Is Your Car Increasing in Value?

Posted by Shane Teskey on 21 July 2010 in New Cars, Used Cars | 2 comments

The 63% fall in car sales in 2009 is only now beginning to show its effects in the used car market. Small numbers of new cars being registered means small numbers of used cars entering the market as part exchanges which in turn contributes to a knock-on effect for the supply of used cars for years afterwards.

Our UK neighbours are experiencing similar problems and a recovery in sterling against the euro has hampered our ability to jump across the water and simply import the required quota.

All this points to an increased demand for quality used cars and we all know what effect supply outweighing demand can have.

Prodrift Drivers 'Shock and Awe' Motorcheck at Citywest

Posted by Shane Teskey on 20 July 2010 in Motorsport | 8 comments

A sun-drenched weekend set the scene for Prodrift’s first time in the capital city at the Citywest Exhibition Centre for Round 3 of the Irish series. Expectations were high for this event, as fans and drivers alike were eagerly anticipating what was on offer, and for all involved it did not disappoint.

I promised Ian and the guys at Prodrift that I’d try and put my experiences at Round 3 of the Prodrift Irish Series at Citywest into words for the Motorcheck blog. It’s not as easy as you might imagine and I wasn’t surprised when I found out later that Sunday morning was considered one of the best drift events ever witnessed in Ireland.

Audi R8 to Go Under the Hammer

Posted by Shane Teskey on 12 July 2010 in Used Car Buying Tips, Used Cars | 1 comment

Expect some famous faces at Merlin Car Auctions this week as an Audi R8, one of only 18 sold in Ireland in 2008, goes under the hammer.

Originally costing more than 200,000 Euro the guide price at Merlin is expected to be a fraction of that at…..

Lucky Escape from Car with Hidden Identity

Posted by Shane Teskey on 5 July 2010 in How we've helped | No comments

Andrew Barry tells us about a car he had paid a deposit on and was about to buy until he ran a Motorcheck car history check on it.

It never ceases to amaze us what unscrupulous sellers will do to move a car with a troubled history.

Is VRT a legal tax?

Posted by Shane Teskey on 28 June 2010 in New Cars | 14 comments

A recent crackdown by Customs and Revenue officers in the northern counties where a stand-off developed between Customs Officials and a Donegal Woman prompted one Irish man to set up a group on Facebook aptly named “Ban VRT Now”.

Originally designed as a replacement for Irish excise charges that were no longer possible under the EU single market, VRT is now part and parcel of every car purchase in the Republic of Ireland. Motorcheck.ie takes a look at the legality of Ireland’s Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) and reports on growing support for its abolishment.

Stolen Irish Cars disguised as UK Cars

Posted by Shane Teskey on 11 June 2010 in Used Car Buying Tips | No comments

Efforts are ongoing to identify stolen vehicles which have been originally stolen in Ireland, had UK identities put on them and are then resold to Irish customers as UK imports.

Motorcheck looks at how this latest scam is being conducted and what you can do to avoid being duped.

There's No Such Thing as a Silly Question

Posted by Shane Teskey on 24 May 2010 in Ask the Experts, Used Car Buying Tips | 2 comments

If you’re thinking about buying a used car privately be prepared to ask a lot of questions. If this makes you uncomfortable why not bring someone along to do the asking for you?

The following email arrived into the Motorcheck help-desk last week. It’s a great example of how someone buying a used car should question all the information available.

Troublesome Oil Leak Failed the NCT Test

Posted by Shane Teskey on 13 May 2010 in Ask the Experts | 3 comments

A persistent problem that causes your car to fail the NCT not once but twice can be very annoying and troublesome oil leaks are a common cause of failing the NCT.

Nell wrote to us about her Audi A6 that has failed the NCT on two separate occasions because of this problem. We asked our resident expert Shane O’Donoghue for some advice…

Tightening Your (Timing) Belt?

Posted by Shane O'Donoghue on 12 May 2010 in Ask the Experts | 6 comments

Amanda’s Opel Astra was a perfectly healthy car before problems with its timing belt started an expensive chain of events.

Shane O’Donoghue from Completecar.ie takes a look at the issues…..

Free, Independent Advice From the Experts

Posted by Shane Teskey on 12 May 2010 in Ask the Experts | 50 comments

A big welcome to Ireland’s new free and independent advice experts on the Motorcheck blog.

Two of the best in the business, Paddy Comyn and Shane O’Donoghue have launched a new advisory service at Completecar.ie and graciously agreed to answer any technical questions Motorcheck customers may have, here at Motorcheck.ie.

Reckless Driving With Fatal Consequences

Posted by Shane Teskey on 11 May 2010 in Road Safety | No comments

The latest figures for 2010 from An Garda Síochána show that there have been 68 traffic fatalities recorded up until 9am on May 11th. That’s down 24 (26%) for the same period in 2009 when 92 people lost their lives on Irish roads.

Despite the reduction in road fatalities poor behavior behind the wheel continues to put other drivers and road users at serious risk. The following pictures from Wreckedexotics.com serve as a useful reminder for us all of the devastating consequences that reckless driving can have.

Buying a Used Car – An Expert's Guide

Posted by Shane Teskey on 3 May 2010 in Used Car Buying Tips, Used Cars | No comments

Identifying a ‘lemon’ from a genuinely reliable car is something even the professionals can make mistakes with and they appraise trade-ins every day of the week.

PJ McKenna, one of Ireland’s leading car traders tells Motorcheck what he looks out for when buying a used car…

Citroen Nemo Fails Which?Car 'ELK' Test

Posted by Shane Teskey on 28 April 2010 in Road Safety | No comments

See what happens when you drive a small MPV into an avoidance test without electronic stability control. Not pretty!

Want to Impress Your Neighbours?

Posted by Shane Teskey on 23 April 2010 in Used Cars | 2 comments

A German firm called “Style Your Garage” creates posters for garage doors that make it look as if it’s showing the interior of your garage, and what’s in it!

You can have anything from a formula one racing car to a dumper truck or plane.

Electric Vehicle Incentives Raise a Few Questions

Posted by Paddy Comyn on 14 April 2010 in Electric Cars | 2 comments

This week’s announcement of a €5,000 grant for electric car purchases is welcome on the surface, but does pose more questions.

Paddy Comyn asks some hard questions about the incentives on offer…

Historic Electric Car Agreement Signed Today

Posted by Shane Teskey on 13 April 2010 in Electric Cars | 1 comment

The Irish Government together with the ESB (Electricity Supply Board) and The Renault -Nissan Alliance put pen to paper today to sign a historic agreement that will see Ireland become one of the first countries in the world to import Electric Cars.

Irish 17 Year Old Set For Racing Stardom

Posted by Shane Teskey on 8 April 2010 in Motor Vehicle History Reports | 1 comment

North County Dublin now boasts an international racing star as Donabate teenager Gary Thompson prepares to take part in the upcoming Japanese Formula 3 series.

Gary’s the youngest entrant on the grid and the first Irish person to take part in the series.

New Car Registrations Rise 90%

Posted by Shane Teskey on 1 April 2010 in New Cars | No comments

No it’s not an april fool prank – today’s statistics from the Motorcheck.ie Car Index show an increase of 90% for passenger vehicles registered in Ireland as against the same month in 2009 (7,291 registered in March 2009 as against 13,861 for March 2010).

The figures show that sales fell between February and March by 605 units in 2009. However statistics for 2010 demonstrate a clear u-turn with registrations actually increasing by 1,544.

Motorcheck looks at this new trend in car sales…

Scrappage Scheme Costing Dealers Millions

Posted by Shane Teskey on 30 March 2010 in New Cars | 1 comment

The current public sector go-slow is costing Irish dealers 2.5 Million Euro in unpaid scrappage rebates.

Dealers are being forced to directly subsidise the Government scrappage scheme while also acting as tax collectors by paying VRT and VAT every time a new car is registered. Can they afford it?

First Electric Car From Mitsubishi Arrives In Ireland

Posted by Shane Teskey on 25 March 2010 in Electric Cars | 1 comment

This Electric Vehicle will be used by Mitsubishi for testing purposes in advance of a Government target that 10% of all vehicles on Irish roads will be fully electric by 2020.

The i-MiEV is an impressive indication of what’s coming to Ireland. It boasts a top speed of 130 kph with a range of 160km. It can be fully charged in 6 hours and costs less than €2 to charge from a standard plug.

Car Clocking Costs Irish Consumers Up To €40 Million

Posted by Shane Teskey on 19 March 2010 in Motor Vehicle History Reports, Road Safety | 1 comment

Car Clocking continues to be a serious problem in Ireland and it appears that UK vehicles are responsible for more than their fair share. A quick look at our March statistics shows that 39% of cars where a mileage discrepancy exists are currently, or have previously, been registered in the UK.

Motorcheck’s national mileage register has in excess of 1.4 million odometer readings but there are a number of ways the detection rate for clocked cars could be substantially increased….

Are the Upcoming Changes to the NCT Really Necessary?

Posted by Shane Teskey on 15 March 2010 in Road Safety | 1 comment

New regulations governing tinted windscreens & noisy exhausts are set to be introduced on April 1st as part of the National Car Test (NCT).

Motorcheck asks if they’re reasonable changes that will help the ultimate goal of road safety or merely another way to generate revenue from the already heavily taxed motorist?

Beware of Cloned Cars From the UK

Posted by Shane Teskey on 12 March 2010 in Motor Vehicle History Reports, Road Safety, Used Car Buying Tips, Used Cars | 5 comments

The threat of cloned cars being sold in Ireland has significantly increased following a theft of blank registration documents from the UK Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in Swansea. Motorcheck peels back the veil on this most dangerous of threats in the used car market.

Autoglass Irish Finals Take Place Today

Posted by Shane Teskey on 11 March 2010 in Road Safety | 2 comments

According to Autoglass at least one in a hundred of us could be driving with a potentially unsafe windscreen.
So says Alun Donnelly, Operations Development Manager for Autoglass speaking at today’s Irish Autoglass Finals.

Motorcheck.ie Shortlisted at 2010 Blog Awards

Posted by Shane Teskey on 11 March 2010 in Latest Offers & Coupons | No comments

We’ve made the shortlist under the category ‘Best Blog of a Business’.

Scrappage Scheme Rules Relaxed for Spouses

Posted by Shane Teskey on 4 March 2010 in New Cars | 4 comments

Changes to legislation mean you may have to bring a copy of your marriage certificate to your local dealer if you’re thinking of available of the scrappage scheme!

Do Irish Taxes Compromise the Safety of Our Cars?

Posted by Shane Teskey on 2 March 2010 in Road Safety | 2 comments

If pressed, most of us will admit to having used a mobile phone, sat-nav or even sipped a cup of coffee when driving. These are everyday examples of how easy it is to become distracted when driving and common as they are it begs the question – is anything being done to pro-actively improve safety around driver distractions or is it up to us to improve (and an Garda Siochana to police) our driving habits?

Free €20 Topaz Gift Card For Motorcheck.ie Customers

Posted by Shane Teskey on 12 February 2010 in Latest Offers & Coupons | 17 comments

Use your Motorcheck.ie fuelcard to purchase a minimum of 500 litres in a three month period (that’s roughly 35 litres a week) and qualify for a free €20 gift voucher.

The Motorcheck fuelcard is free of charge, you get 4 weeks interest free credit and a fixed weekly price at 320+ Topaz stations.

BOSI Motor Finance to Withdraw from Irish Market

Posted by Shane Teskey on 10 February 2010 in New Cars, Used Cars | 2 comments

Bad news for car buyers as another major player in the car finance sector has decided to quit the market.

Motorcheck.ie Calls For National Recall Database

Posted by Shane Teskey on 10 February 2010 in Used Car Buying Tips, Used Cars | 11 comments

Motorcheck.ie has identified gaps in the current methodology which could lead to thousands of cars operating on Irish roads without notification of urgent repairs called for by the manufacturer.

Car Recalls – Just How Common Are They?

Posted by Shane Teskey on 5 February 2010 in Motor Vehicle History Reports, Motorcheck Mechanic, Used Cars | 3 comments

The number of recalls processed by the Department of Transport where the manufacturer deemed it necessary to write directly to the registered owner to advise a particular course of action is as yet unconfirmed but it’s expected to be a significant amount (greater than 100k).

This can present a problem for individuals who fear that their vehicle may have been involved in a recall but for one reason or another weren’t informed.

New Car Sales Disappoint With Small Rise (4.6%) On Last Year

Posted by Shane Teskey on 1 February 2010 in New Cars | No comments

The latest figures from the Motorcheck.ie Car Index show that sales of new passenger vehicles for January are marginally above the previous record lows of 2009.

Government tax take on VRT set to take a serious hit as Used Car Imports also plummet 47% on 2009 registrations.

The Real Risks of Buying A Stolen Car

Posted by Shane Teskey on 29 January 2010 in Motor Vehicle History Reports, Used Car Buying Tips | 2 comments

There are over 11,000 cars stolen in Ireland every year. The vast majority of which are recovered within forty eight hours but thousands more go unrecovered and onto the black market as clones, donor cars for parts or exported for sale or breaking in foreign jurisdictions.

What’s not commonly known is that if you as a buyer knowingly purchase a stolen car you are in effect breaking the law and liable for prosecution under the Criminal Justice Act. This post looks at your responsibilities as a buyer and outlines some top tips to avoid buying a stolen car.

eNews and Statistical Updates by eMail

Posted by Shane Teskey on 22 January 2010 in New Cars | No comments

Would you like to receive detailed statistics on the number of new cars registered on Irish roads? Sign up to this new free service that delivers registration statistics and news from the Motorcheck blog on a daily or weekly basis.

See how registrations for 2010 compare with 2009 on a daily basis direct to your email! New Cars, Commercials and Motorcycles – we’ve got it all covered!

Motorcheck.ie Introduces New VRT Calculator

Posted by Shane Teskey on 15 January 2010 in Featured, Used Cars | 68 comments

Are you planning on importing a used car from Northern Ireland or mainland GB? If so you’ll probably be familiar Ireland’s Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) and how difficult it is to calculate. Fret no more – we’ve built Ireland’s most user-friendly VRT Calculator!

Are Dealers Still A Credible Source For Car Finance?

Posted by Shane Teskey on 11 January 2010 in Used Car Buying Tips, Used Cars | 4 comments

The majority of cars sold in Ireland (over 600,000 new and used cars change hands annually) are subject to one or another kind of finance arrangement but with a banking sector in crisis and finance applications being rejected left right and centre – what options are open to us and who can we turn to for a loan?

Car Auction Postponed

Posted by Shane Teskey on 10 January 2010 in Used Cars | 1 comment

I read this morning that the “Unreserved Liquidation Car Auction” of over 250 cars formally owned by the now closed EP Mooney Motor Group has been postponed until Saturday the 23rd of January at 10am. Bargain? Whilst all eyes are on the 2007 Jaguar XK Coupe (view it’s Motorcheck report here), there are a number...

Best Selling Cars of the Decade

Posted by Shane Teskey on 31 December 2009 in New Cars | 1 comment

Back in the year 2000 Ireland’s drivers registered a record 225,000 new vehicles. That record stands to this day, and since then over 1.5 million new cars have come onto our roads. But which cars have Irish drivers loved the most over the past decade? Let’s take a look and see…

SIMI Addresses Market Failings? New Used Car Website – beepbeep.ie

Posted by Shane Teskey on 28 December 2009 in Used Cars | 10 comments

I noticed in the past few days that the SIMI have published a beta version of their new used car website at www.beepbeep.ie. The tagline reads ‘The Used Car Website You Can Trust’ and the overall message throughout the site is one of ‘Quality Assured Used Cars’ only. Expanding Niche The number of websites offering...

New Band B Cars Qualifying for Scrappage Discount

Posted by Shane Teskey on 18 December 2009 in New Cars | 3 comments

Following on from our earlier Band A post, here’s the complete list of Band B cars that qualify for the 2010 Irish Car Scrappage Scheme. We’ve included every car in Band B that qualifies here, and you can easily view all the Band A qualifying cars in our initial post (linked to within).

View all Band B qualifying cars after the jump…

New Band A Cars Qualifying for Scrappage Scheme Discount

Posted by Shane Teskey on 18 December 2009 in New Cars | 4 comments

We’ve spent some time wading through the our car database to bring you a full list of cars that qualify for the Irish Government’s recently announced Car Scrappage Scheme. This post includes all cars in Band A that qualify for the scheme, and you can find all the Band B qualifying cars in a follow up post.

View all Band A qualifying cars after the jump…

The Future of Electric Motoring in Ireland…

Posted by Shane Teskey on 16 December 2009 in Electric Cars | 19 comments

When I heard that the ESB had appointed a Managing Director to a newly formed division of the company entitled ‘Electric Vehicles’ I felt a subtle ‘shift in gear’ for the motor industry. Could this mark a significant moment for the introduction of electric cars on a national scale? Are we about to dispel the notion of electric powered vehicles as a ‘concept’ to a grounded ‘reality’ that will shape the face of motoring in Ireland for the next century?

Essential Guide To Car Scrappage Scheme: Is your car fit for 'Scrap'?

Posted by Shane Teskey on 16 December 2009 in New Cars | 197 comments

The opportunity to purchase a new car and save €1,500 doesn’t come along often and now that the dust is starting to settle on the government’s budget speech I thought it would be useful to take a look at any ‘small print’ that usually goes with these incentives. Find out the conditions that apply before you can avail of that €1,500 discount.

Budget 2010 – Scrappage Scheme, Should YOU buy?

Posted by Shane Teskey on 10 December 2009 in New Cars | 42 comments

So now it’s official! 2010 will see the introduction of a long awaited for scrappage scheme. But will it make any difference to the catastrophic slump that new car sales have seen this year? Who will benefit from the scheme and what are the options when it comes to trading up? Budget 2010 has introduced...

Mitsubishi Pajero defending our shores!

Posted by Shane Teskey on 8 December 2009 in New Cars | No comments

I was looking at the vehicle statistics for new car sales in December just now and noticed that the Mitsubishi Pajero currently ranks number one in the Top 10 Models. The VRO figures show that there have been 10 registered this month which is really strange considering it represents over 10% of the total number...

'Black Boxes' for cars?

Posted by Shane Teskey on 8 December 2009 in New Cars | 2 comments

A new study recently completed by the European Commission has shown that the installation of an Event Data Recorder (EDR or ‘Black Box’ as it’s known in aviation terms) in our cars could lead to improved safety and cheaper repair bills. The research project which cost 2.4 million Euro over a three year period shows...

Does Cheryl's Audi R8 have the X-Factor?

Posted by Shane Teskey on 5 December 2009 in Used Car Buying Tips | 4 comments

Cheryl Cole’s Audi R8 is on the market and could be yours for a meager £66,000 sterling (74,300 EURO plus VRT). On sale at Shawcroft Motors the car is described as follows. Vehicle Description: 2 Doors, Semi-Automatic, Coupe, Petrol, 9,000 miles, Black. AS YOU WOULD EXPECT THIS CAR HAS AMAZING SPEC,EXCLUSIVE EDITION MODEL R8 R...

When Is A Mechanic Not A Mechanic?

Posted by Shane Teskey on 2 December 2009 in Motorcheck Mechanic | 4 comments

An interesting article in today’s Irish Times suggests that more and more mechanics are leaving their current employers to set up shop on their own. With close to a hundred garages already closed this year could we expect an increase in the number of ‘non-franchise’ or ‘independent’ garages selling their services?

A New Way of Looking at Vehicle Statistics…

Posted by Shane Teskey on 30 November 2009 in New Cars | 33 comments

Have you ever wondered which county’s citizens bought the most BMWs this year? Or wondered whether Ireland’s drivers have become more environmentally friendly since new emission-based tax bands were introduced? Not to mention just how many new “White-Van-Man” drivers there are in 2009? Well now you can find out for yourself with our new interactive Vehicle Statistic service. Slice and dice all sorts of weird and wonderful new vehicle registration data for yourself…

The dangers of a flood damaged car

Posted by Shane Teskey on 26 November 2009 in Used Car Buying Tips | 2 comments

Many of us are suffering at the hands of torrential rain that has caused some of the worst flooding seen in Ireland for many years. Unfortunately cars and water don’t mix well and insurance claims are ‘flooding’ in as a result. For many car owners, finding their pride and joy classed as a ‘total loss’...

Fears grow for 10,000 jobs in motor industry

Posted by Shane Teskey on 24 November 2009 in New Cars | 9 comments

Fears grow for 10,000 jobs in motor industry as prominent multi-franchise dealership EP Mooney announces its closure today. The news comes just weeks after commentators warned there could be 10,000 jobs lost in the motor industry if the government doesn’t provide some sort of stimulus to the troubled sector.

Car clocking up 400% in downturn

Posted by Shane Teskey on 17 November 2009 in Motor Vehicle History Reports | 19 comments

Since March of this year the Motocheck used vehicle database has identified a 400% increase in the number of mileage discrepencies which often indicate “clocking”. RTE’s Buyer Beware programme on Wednesday the 18th at 8:30pm will uncover the true scale of the problem, and Motorcheck’s Shane Teskey will assist Philip Boucher-Hayes in tracking down real-life clocked cars.

Motorcheck Voucher – Discount for Cartell.ie Customers

Posted by Michael Rochford on 17 November 2009 in Latest Offers & Coupons | 4 comments

Cartell, like Motorcheck, offer used car buyers a fantastic service aimed at avoiding the loss of buying a motor vehicle with a hidden past. Here at Motorcheck we’re constantly improving our service, and have recently added Free Valuation Reports and Free Breakdown Cover to our Full Report product.
So we’d like to let all Cartell customers try out Motorcheck to see how we compare. Get your Motorcheck coupon inside.

Motorcheck Mechanics – Free Expert Advice From Ireland's Leading Motor Mechanics

Posted by Shane Teskey on 1 October 2009 in Motorcheck Mechanic | 38 comments

Motorcheck is delighted to introduce our panel of ‘Motorcheck Mechanics‘. The panel includes a selection of Ireland’s top mechanics specially chosen by Motorcheck.ie to answer all of your mechanical and technical questions. And best of all? It’s 100% FREE expert advice!