Buying a used car in Ireland is similar to buying a used car in other parts of Europe and North America. You should develop a budget that includes a target price for the car, insurance, road tax and upkeep. You should then get an idea of what make and model you'd like to buy. Research the car thoroughly in Irish newspapers, auto magazines and automotive websites. Then, decide how you'd like to buy the car: through a dealer, from a private seller or from an auction.
Buying a used car in Ireland through a dealer is probably the surest way to buy. This is because Irish law helps protect buyers from getting a faulty deal when they go through car dealerships. Irish car dealers must adhere to highly regulated practice standards. The law in Ireland states that used cars must be of satisfactory quality when bought from dealers, that dealers must disclose all the car's defects at the time of sale, and that used cars must be exactly as advertised. If you have a problem with a used car, you are able to bring it back to the dealer and have the problem resolved.
Buying a used car from a dealer also gives you the advantage of exchanging your old car for some of the price of the used car. The dealer will inspect your old car and make you an offer, and you can use that money toward the purchase of another car.
Most Irish used car dealers also offer used approved cars, which are similar to American program cars. Used approved cars are used and then returned to the original dealership. The dealer makes any necessary repairs, checks the car for evidence of accidents or theft, and then approves the car for sale. These cars often come with a warranty and several good finance options.
Buying a used car in Ireland from a private seller is usually cheaper than buying from a dealer, but you must be an informed buyer to buy from a private seller. Unlike dealers, private sellers aren't required to make any kind of checks on the car's background, nor are they required to disclose any defects.
If you are thinking of buying a used car from a private seller, you should be aware that in Ireland, dealers under the disguise of private sellers sometimes attempt to sell shoddy cars because private car sales aren't regulated. If you call about a car and the seller asks you to which car you are referring, that is a sign that the seller is actually a car dealer.
If you decide to go through a private seller, you need to thoroughly research the car. Do a vehicle data check through institutions like AA Ireland or Auto Trader. For a small fee, you can run the car's vehicle identification number through a system that will reveal if the car has ever been in an accident, has been reported stolen or has outstanding finance on it, which would mean that the car is technically still the property of the bank or the finance house and is not eligible for sale. A vehicle data check will also tell you how much this car costs new and how much you can expect to pay for a used model.
If you're buying from a seller, it might also be a smart idea to get an experienced mechanic or engineer to inspect the car for you. AA Ireland engineers routinely perform this service for used car buyers, and will provide a detailed 175-point report, which includes things that are wrong with the car now and things that may need attention in the near future.
If you decide to buy a used car from a private seller, you will need to make sure all of the required paperwork is present and correct. This includes a vehicle registration certificate, the vehicle's service history, NCT detail paperwork and a valid tax disc if the seller indicated that the tax was included in the price. These documents should all be original, not photocopied, and the seller's signature should be on all of them. After you've paid for the car, get a receipt with the seller's contact information, vehicle details and signature. You should obtain a copy for yourself and the seller should keep a copy. You are not as well protected by Irish law if something should go wrong with a car you bought from a private seller, but if you have the seller's contact information, you may be able to negotiate repairs.
The last way to buy a used car in Ireland is through an auction. Buying a car through an auction may often be the cheapest way, but you are not allowed to thoroughly check or test drive a car before you buy from an auction, as all auctioned cars are sold on an as-seen basis.
In an Irish car auction, you typically pay a 250 Euro deposit in order to bid. This helps to ensure that only serious buyers will participate in the auction. The bidding typically begins at 60 Euros, depending on the car, and bidding goes up from there. The highest bidder gets the car. You must be able to pay for the car on the spot, unless the auctioneer indicates otherwise. Cars bought at auction come with all the proper paperwork, but no warranty and no background checks.
