Buying a used car in Ireland guide

youcancallmeal · 18-05-2012 11:25am

Limerick man wrote: »

Meh.

2,500 would be a good deal.

Yeah seems similar cars can be had for anywhere between 2k and 3k on carzone. This is my first time buying a car so don't want to rush into it?

L-M · 18-05-2012 11:26am

youcancallmeal wrote: »

Yeah seems similar cars can be had for anywhere between 2k and 3k on carzone. This is my first time buying a car so don't want to rush into it?

What are you? 3 doors and 1.6's would be a hard insure for a young, first time buyer.

youcancallmeal · 18-05-2012 11:38am

Limerick man wrote: »

What are you? 3 doors and 1.6's would be a hard insure for a young, first time buyer.

I'm 30 and have been fully licensed about 3 years. Also the insurance would probably be in wifes name and I'll be a named driver. She's been driving longer than me and is already fully insured on another car which she is going to transfer over to whatever we buy together. We have budget of about 4k. Probably won't get much use except for at the weekends so just want something that will stand the test of time and not cost too much to maintain.

Just got offered another 2 cars:

04 Mazda 3 for sale. TS model. 81,000 miles, NCT 02/14, Tax 04/12, Alloy Wheels, Central Locking, Power Steering, Immaculate Condition, No Work Needed, 1.6 Petrol, Metallic Charcoal Grey in Colour.
Price: €4000 ONO

06 Toyota Corolla 1.4 Petrol 5Dr HB Champagne in colour, approx 60k miles. Recently serviced, perfect car. NCT 09/2012, Tax 04/2012, ABS Brakes, Air Conditioning, Airbags, All electrics, Alloys, Car Alarm, Cd/Radio, Climate Control, Colour Coded Bumpers, Electric Mirrors, Electric Windows, Front Fog Lamps, Full Service History, High Performance, Immobiliser, Lady Owner, Metallic Paint, Power Steering, Remote Central Locking, Traction Control, Beautiful clean car, lady owner carefully minded car.
Price: Offers

Brussels Sprout · 18-05-2012 6:41pm

What is a good way to get a sense for the true value of a car?

Like if I use, for example, the valuation tool on the cbg.ie site this just averages all of the models for a certain year. It lumps together all of the different mileages and also includes the buffer that a lot of sellers will build into their asking prices in order account for bargaining.

So is there a rough rule of thumb for factoring the difference in value between a 20,000 mile/yr car and a 10,000 mile/yr car?

Is there a rule of thumb then for what % you can generally get off with bargaining (this would naturally be a very rough estimate)?

peace2804 · 23-05-2012 11:17am

Can anyone please give their feedback about these two cars, I am looking for an automatic car, diesel or petrol with a 2l engine max, what do you think about the cars below? are they too expensive? mechanically speaking are they reliable?
cheers.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Golf/1.6-COMF/4913304507484520/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A3/2.0-FSI-/5813315619218800/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/316-316I/201220208251221/advert?channel=CARS

L-M · 23-05-2012 2:29pm

peace2804 wrote: »

Can anyone please give their feedback about these two cars, I am looking for an automatic car, diesel or petrol with a 2l engine max, what do you think about the cars below? are they too expensive? mechanically speaking are they reliable?
cheers.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Golf/1.6-COMF/4913304507484520/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A3/2.0-FSI-/5813315619218800/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/316-316I/201220208251221/advert?channel=CARS

is auto the only requirement?

i personally wouldn't buy an of those, unless the Golf was a year or two newer. Autos are harder to get here, and thus demand a premium. Be careful of any Mid range C, D and some other regs, in Auto's as most of them would have been ex rentals of some form.

peace2804 · 23-05-2012 3:32pm

Limerick man wrote: »

is auto the only requirement?

i personally wouldn't buy an of those, unless the Golf was a year or two newer. Autos are harder to get here, and thus demand a premium. Be careful of any Mid range C, D and some other regs, in Auto's as most of them would have been ex rentals of some form.

Hello Limerick man, yes an auto is a requirement, I don't mind if it's a petrol or diesel, what do you think I should go for?

L-M · 24-05-2012 4:37pm

peace2804 wrote: »

Hello Limerick man, yes an auto is a requirement, I don't mind if it's a petrol or diesel, what do you think I should go for?

Completely depends.

it's very hard to pick a car for someone else. What do you like? Do you need space? 3/4/5 door hatch/saloon/estate?

What's your ideal budget?

peace2804 · 24-05-2012 6:34pm

5 doors would be perfect, hatch/saloon no estate and budget is anything below 4k.

Esel · 26-05-2012 1:54am

peace2804 wrote: »

Hello Limerick man, yes an auto is a requirement, I don't mind if it's a petrol or diesel, what do you think I should go for?

Have you looked at any Japanese makes?

The Muppet · 05-06-2012 5:18pm

Excellent Guide , Fair play for taking the time to put it together

Pj! · 06-06-2012 8:37pm

Hi folks.
Having a look at the market. Spotted a car and just wondered what the following information from the motortax.ie website would signify:

Just wondering why the registration certificate would be issued lately? Simply because it was misplaced or could there be any other reason?

/scepticism

L-M · 07-06-2012 12:02pm

Misplaced

Loulatalu · 12-06-2012 4:31pm

Hi Limerick Man

Great thread... think its made me more nervous about buying a car myself

I currently living in the UK but will be moving back to Ireland in the coming months. Am I mad to try and buy here or would there be better bargains to be had at home???? I don't know anyone here to advise and would appreciate if you could throw your eye over these.... I have narrowed my search to :

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201210455435352/usedcars/postcode/le21zb?logcode=kp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201221473589637/usedcars/postcode/le21zb?logcode=kp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201223474749520/usedcars/postcode/le21zb?logcode=kp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201223474637554/usedcars/postcode/le21zb?logcode=kp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201222474283950/usedcars/postcode/le21zb?logcode=kp

Thanks

brainiac · 12-06-2012 8:36pm

Hi Limerick Man,

Thanks for the thread, seen as you seem to be the voice of expertise around these parts, I was just wondering what you would define some of the cheapest models/years of car to insure for a new driver? Hoping to buy my first during the summer (second hand) and then get my full license by the end of the year. Also, would a car for ~€500 usually suffice as a first car, or will this always be a risky purchase?

Thanks in advance, Regards,

brainiac.

cowlove · 13-06-2012 10:47am

Hi Limerickman! Great thread. I hope you don't mind me picking your brain. I just wondered what you thought of this carvan?

Does it seem to be too good to be true. Such low mileage I thought they would be looking for more.

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/commercials/3481502

L-M · 13-06-2012 1:56pm

Loulatalu wrote: »

Hi Limerick Man

Great thread... think its made me more nervous about buying a car myself

I currently living in the UK but will be moving back to Ireland in the coming months. Am I mad to try and buy here or would there be better bargains to be had at home???? I don't know anyone here to advise and would appreciate if you could throw your eye over these.... I have narrowed my search to :

Unless you plan on buying the car over in the UK and holding it for 6 months, then bringing the car over here (That way you avoid having to pay VRT", then i would consider buying a car in the UK if i was spending more. As an example, that first Corolla would probably stand you over 4k, should you import it, vrt tax NCT etc. etc. You would save more money if you were spending more on the car, ie if you were buying a newer diesel.

brainiac wrote: »

Hi Limerick Man,

Thanks for the thread, seen as you seem to be the voice of expertise around these parts, I was just wondering what you would define some of the cheapest models/years of car to insure for a new driver? Hoping to buy my first during the summer (second hand) and then get my full license by the end of the year. Also, would a car for ~€500 usually suffice as a first car, or will this always be a risky purchase?

Thanks in advance, Regards,

brainiac.

How image obsessed are you? You honestly couldn't go wrong with a Micra, or a Polo. You should be able to get one for a little over 500 with test, and clean it up a bit yourself. Just stick under 1 litre.

cowlove wrote: »

Hi Limerickman! Great thread. I hope you don't mind me picking your brain. I just wondered what you thought of this carvan?

Does it seem to be too good to be true. Such low mileage I thought they would be looking for more.

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/commercials/3481502

There isn't a whole pile i can tell from those pictures without doing a history check. it is Northern irish, and the North isn't huge so it is entirely possible, just do all the regular checks as you would normally do.

Mollywolly · 13-06-2012 3:23pm

Great thread Limerick man, you seem to be the man in the know, so I thought I would pick your brain and ask you if you think the second-hand car market is very slow at the moment.

Reason for asking is that I put up for sale the husband's VW Tiguan a few months ago and only had one enquiry that was half-sensible. Now I've put up for sale my Ka and hope to do better with that. Are things so desperate?

brainiac · 13-06-2012 5:45pm

Limerick man wrote: »

How image obsessed are you? You honestly couldn't go wrong with a Micra, or a Polo. You should be able to get one for a little over 500 with test, and clean it up a bit yourself. Just stick under 1 litre.

Polo sounds good to me, as long as it runs and isnt pink I couldnt care less xD. Is there a premium on cars over a certain age btw, unsure of that fact. Grand, so you think I should go a dealer route and not Donedeal or similar?

L-M · 13-06-2012 8:54pm

Mollywolly wrote: »

Great thread Limerick man, you seem to be the man in the know, so I thought I would pick your brain and ask you if you think the second-hand car market is very slow at the moment.

Reason for asking is that I put up for sale the husband's VW Tiguan a few months ago and only had one enquiry that was half-sensible. Now I've put up for sale my Ka and hope to do better with that. Are things so desperate?

it's not that bad, any link to the Tiguan? My mother has money in her pocket and i can't find her a car. Decent cars seem to be gone few and far between.

brainiac wrote: »

Polo sounds good to me, as long as it runs and isnt pink I couldnt care less xD. Is there a premium on cars over a certain age btw, unsure of that fact. Grand, so you think I should go a dealer route and not Donedeal or similar?

On a 500 car? Stay far away from Dealers! Donedeal is probably your only option. When you're looking at buying post up here again and we can give you a hand, or else post in the Bangernomics thread

Loulatalu · 13-06-2012 9:43pm

Thanks Limerick Man,

Will be here for 6 months ish so VRT won't be an issue... Any advice when looking at a Corolla or Polo ?

Cheers again

L-M · 14-06-2012 11:23am

Loulatalu wrote: »

Thanks Limerick Man,

Will be here for 6 months ish so VRT won't be an issue... Any advice when looking at a Corolla or Polo ?

Cheers again

Those VVTi's burn oil at high mileage, make sure you get a nice clean one. And get a hatch. They're a great seller over here.

Nice spec, nice colour and some bit of history and you're away.

Just remember you have to get a boat over when you're coming home, and NCT and tax it. Private road tax for a 1.4 over here is around €350 for the year. The cost of an NCT is 55 after that.

The Muppet · 14-06-2012 8:06pm

I bought a car last weekend and used this guide when checking it out, It was very helpful to have a checklist to go through.

One thing I would add to it is to google known faults with the make and model car you are viewing and check the car for these when viewing.

smileybee · 16-06-2012 11:28pm

Hi everyone,

Looking to buy my first car and I'm wondering is this make and model any good for the price?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Chevrolet/Kalos/1.2-SE-M/613268756071560/advert?channel=CARS

I'm wouldn't be a heavy driver (mainly driving a couple of times a week within 5k of my home) so I dont need a big car. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!

Shakti · 19-06-2012 11:22am

Hi, I'm thinking about this,
But I'm concerned about reliability, expensive spares, mpg etc. should I be?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3473102

L-M · 19-06-2012 3:16pm

smileybee wrote: »

Hi everyone,

Looking to buy my first car and I'm wondering is this make and model any good for the price?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Chevrolet/Kalos/1.2-SE-M/613268756071560/advert?channel=CARS

I'm wouldn't be a heavy driver (mainly driving a couple of times a week within 5k of my home) so I dont need a big car. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!

You would buy a 05 one for under 2,000. So i suppose a 09 isn't bad at that, i wouldn't touch one though.

Shakti wrote: »

Hi, I'm thinking about this,
But I'm concerned about reliability, expensive spares, mpg etc. should I be?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3473102

As far as i know that's not 4wheel drive, so no to all of the above.

thecomedian · 19-06-2012 7:06pm

First of all thanks for the tips, they are a great help when looking at cars.

I sold my golf tdi 2 days ago, not knowing that anything was wrong with it(even did the belt and clutch in the last month). But today the buyer rang up saying the turbo is weakening and needs to be changed. How much does it cost to replace as he was hoping id give him something towards it.

L-M · 19-06-2012 8:03pm

thecomedian wrote: »

First of all thanks for the tips, they are a great help when looking at cars.

I sold my golf tdi 2 days ago, not knowing that anything was wrong with it(even did the belt and clutch in the last month). But today the buyer rang up saying the turbo is weakening and needs to be changed. How much does it cost to replace as he was hoping id give him something towards it.

i would advise them that the car was in perfect condition in your ownership and you weren't responsible for what happened the car while it was in their possession.

smileybee · 19-06-2012 10:04pm

Cheers Limerickman - you're great for giving so much advice. So is the Kalos a dodgy car?

I've no particular loyalty to a make or model, I just dont want to go above a 1.2 litre engine so I'll keep looking.

I'd actually gone out to the dealers to look at the car, to find they had closed up early for the day, so a lucky escape I guess...

Thanks again!

L-M · 19-06-2012 11:40pm

There's nothing wrong with it it's just they're a Daewoo in sheeps clothing, they're worth feck all and to be honest no one wants them second hand!

There's a lot of crap cars on the market at the mo, if you're clueless, use the likes of donedeal to check out what cars are really making before you invest those hard earned euros into an over priced car.

Buying a used car in Ireland guide

Comments