The AA in Ireland is considering introducing an internet service similar to the one currently available in Britain which allows potential buyers to assess the value and condition of second-hand cars by brand and model online, writes David Roe.
According to a recent AA survey nearly 50 per cent of used cars checked by the AA have faults, or have dubious pasts. The British site, launched recently at www.theAA.com, contains information, reviews and assessments of nearly 14,000 cars depending on age, model, and price.
Conor Faughnan of AA Ireland says that, although there would be price discrepancies between Ireland and Britain, the information and evaluation of models would be the same.
Currently, he says, the AA here is considering developing a similar site that would take the price differences into consideration. However, buying habits and patterns are practically the same in both countries.
The recent AA survey in Britain shows that more than 50 per cent of used car buyers bought cars without checking service histories. Half also admit that they rely on dealers to give them the honest opinion on their chosen car, while up to 66 per cent would buy a used car if they thought the previous owner was the proverbial "old lady".
"It's absolutely essential that people get second-hand cars tested independently," Faughnan says. "In Ireland every year almost 600,000 second-hand car transactions are carried out - almost three times more than new car transactions. If you take the survey into account, and there is everything to suggest that the results would be similar in Ireland, then the number of second-hand cars with faults that change hand every year in Ireland is staggering."
He also warns potential buyers to contact the hire-purchase bureau to check there is no outstanding payments left on cars.
Not surprisingly, cars previously owned by young men are least popular among those surveyed. Just two in a hundred aged over-65 would consider buying such a car.
Nearly four out of 10 men say they would research and perform their own checks to make sure that their car is fit for the road whereas few women (13 per cent) claim to do this.
Nearly half (48 per cent) claim they would pay for a professional inspection yet one in 10 rely on the seller's word that it's roadworthy.