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Used Cars

Buying a used car

With new car sales figures having fallen off a cliff, what is the Irish motorist doing? Many of us are simply postponing a purchase until less uncertain times and carrying on in the aging car that we have. But a great many people are opting to buy second hand. If you are careful it can be a very good way to go and there are major savings at the moment. Dealers are so desperate for sales that there are terrific bargains to be had. But please be careful... what looks like a great deal could be buying your way into a world of problems.

Buying a used car is an intimidating prospect for many consumers. The fear of dodgy deals and the fact that you could be buying someone else’s problems make the hunt for honest value seem daunting.

The AA advises all potential used car buyers to avoid side-of-the-road sales and go to SIMI dealers, to buy an AA Autocheck car or failing that to have the vehicle professionally inspected before purchase. No reputable seller will object to an independent inspection.

Many publications carry ads offering second-hand cars for sale. Most are genuine but unfortunately there are still unscrupulous dealers posing as private sellers. If you decide to make contact, say that you are asking about 'the car for sale'. If he has to ask you which car then he is a dealer. Having blown his cover, steer clear of his car!

Never buy a car in the dark as this easily conceals various blemishes and possibly even evidence of accident damage. A key fact that you want to be sure of is that the car has not been involved in an accident. No matter whether its from a private individual or from a dealer ask the critical question, preferably in front of a witness "has the car ever been crashed or had any bodywork repairs carried out whatsoever". The response given has significant legal implications.

For more information or to find out more about AA Autocheck and AA Vehicle Inspections, contact Joseph Langan at AA Technical Services on 01-6179351 or email technical@aaireland.ie

AA AutoCheck:

AA Autocheck is a quality assurance scheme for used cars. Dealers undertake to perform a very detailed inspection designed by the AA that examines the car under 101 separate headings. The AA then monitors those dealers very closely with regular spot inspections to ensure that standards are maintained. The consumer knows that the car that he or she is buying has been thoroughly checked by a system that is designed and regulated by the AA.

Pro Tips: What to look for in a second hand car

  • Check the body lines for consistency
  • Look for any evidence of repainting, such as overspray on window rubbers or any inconsistency in the paintwork.
  • Check for uneven tyre wear
  • Look out for different makes of headlights
  • Watch for different consistencies of stone chips over the front bonnet compared to the adjacent wings.
  • Examine carefully the wear at the pedal rubbers, the gear stick and the steering wheel
  • Closely examine the odometer (if is an older non-digital display) for any sign of interference
  • Try all keys provided in the ignition and make sure that they start the engine – as occasionally a 'cut' key is not a 'transponder' key or micro-chipped to work in the ignition. Make sure that a spare set is provided.