The Consumers Challenge

Posted by Shane Teskey on 2 September 2010 in Ask the Experts, New Car Registration Stats, 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

2012 – A Disaster Pending for the Industry?

Posted by Paul Carroll on 13 August 2010 in Ask the Experts, New Car Registration Stats, 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.

Is Your Car Increasing in Value?

Posted by Shane Teskey on 21 July 2010 in New Car Registration Stats, 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.

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…..

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…

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.

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.

BOSI Motor Finance to Withdraw from Irish Market

Posted by Shane Teskey on 10 February 2010 in New Car Registration Stats, 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.