Buying a used car in Ireland guide

stuba · 13-05-2014 11:32pm

Ya might try get to Cork to have a look at it. Seems a good price but would the 2 owners make ye sceptical with the problems people seem to have with the TDCI engines?

colm_mcm · 13-05-2014 11:37pm

Its a rare Irish model!

stuba · 13-05-2014 11:51pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

Its a rare Irish model!

That a good thing or a bad thing?

bazz26 · 14-05-2014 12:06am

2 owners on a 5 year old car is nothing to raise an eyebrow over.

Just remember that the 1.8 TDCi changed to a "wet" timing belt from late 2007 onwards. These belts have been known to prematurely snap causing a lot of damage so you may need to budget to have the wet belt changed immediately if the job has not already been done, not a cheap job either and plenty of info on the web about this.

stuba · 14-05-2014 12:11am

Thanks bazz26, appreciate your advice.

kala85 · 14-05-2014 9:54pm

Any advice on how to detect if a car is clocked. Looking at 2011,2010 ,cars at the moment and I'm wondering how to check for clocking. Seems difficult enough to tell the difference between cars with different mileage

colm_mcm · 14-05-2014 10:00pm

kala85 wrote: »

Any advice on how to detect if a car is clocked. Looking at 2011,2010 ,cars at the moment and I'm wondering how to check for clocking. Seems difficult enough to tell the difference between cars with different mileage

Verified service history, motorcheck/cartell reports.
Mileage isn't everything anyway.

kala85 · 14-05-2014 10:43pm

Looking at the log book supplied with the car but I thought that the mileage in log book didn't look right. Only two services on the car showing 50km. Could the dealer or person trading the car have faked the log book and turned back the mileage.
Any tell tale signs. What should I look for in the case of a crashed car. Any signs inside and outside the car. What should I look around the engine

kala85 · 15-05-2014 10:18am

Are there certain registrations that are used for english imports??

bazz26 · 15-05-2014 12:40pm

The log book or registration cert does not contain a record of mileage. You mean the service book. To verify mileage you ring the garages that stamped it and correlate what they did against what is stamped in the service book. You also get a motor history check done.

UK imports will have the speedo clock in mph. Irish cars from 2005 onwards would be kph. The service history should also contain details of the UK garages where it was serviced.

Dia1988 · 15-05-2014 12:54pm

You've been humming away to yourself unknowingly to good tunes on the radio, hence why you cant actually locate the hum and why it comes and goes!

MidlandsM · 15-05-2014 3:09pm

kala85 wrote: »

Are there certain registrations that are used for english imports??

yes, differs from county to county where its registered.

Get your hands on the cars irish log book, it will show the cars original Uk reg.

Tipsy McSwagger · 15-05-2014 4:41pm

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/nissan-micra/6920530

Having a look at this later, any opinions please.

Dia1988 · 15-05-2014 4:47pm

Tipsy McSwagger wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/nissan-micra/6920530

Having a look at this later, any opinions please.

Honestly?

It's over priced, high mileage and very boring...but reliable!

MidlandsM · 15-05-2014 4:54pm

Tipsy McSwagger wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/nissan-micra/6920530

Having a look at this later, any opinions please.

its a bit dear for the milage, and the year , he's might be a wheeler dealer on the side - see a car transporter trailer in the background there. Shure its got a new nct, but I'd not put too much weight on that.

Reliable oul' yoke all the same.

Tipsy McSwagger · 15-05-2014 4:59pm

Dia1988 wrote: »

Honestly?

It's over priced, high mileage and very boring...but reliable!

Getting it for 1300 and it will be my first car.

Dia1988 · 15-05-2014 5:08pm

Tipsy McSwagger wrote: »

Getting it for 1300 and it will be my first car.

Buy this Micra instead, better spec'd and only 70K for same money!

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2001-micra-1l-nct-1-15-1525/6911509

MidlandsM · 15-05-2014 5:17pm

Dia1988 wrote: »

Buy this Micra instead, better spec'd and only 70K for same money!

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2001-micra-1l-nct-1-15-1525/6911509

+1, check the radiator core and fins, someones been messing with it - still, should be ok, check the heater fan inside the dash works on all speeds, they give trouble. Check for leaks inside the cabin. Check for noise from the gearbox in ALL gears.

GreeBo · 19-05-2014 1:53pm

Hey,

looking at a 2010 A6's for under 20k, is it crazy to be looking at cars with 100k Miles on them for this price/age?

If going manual would the DMF be the main thing to worry about (assuming DPF would be fine with that mileage?)

this for example?
Cheers!

stuba · 28-05-2014 2:17pm

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/1.6-TDCI/44513997344714100/advert?channel=CARS

Anyone give an opinion on this? Took it for a drive today and it was lovely. Have got them down a few hundred euro.
It has 6 service stamps so thats a plus as it seems to be what everyone says with the TDCI Focus. Thanks in advance.

bazz26 · 28-05-2014 2:25pm

stuba wrote: »

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/1.6-TDCI/44513997344714100/advert?channel=CARS

Anyone give an opinion on this? Took it for a drive today and it was lovely. Have got them down a few hundred euro.
It has 6 service stamps so thats a plus as it seems to be what everyone says with the TDCI Focus. Thanks in advance.

Don't take service stamps for granted. Ring the garages that stamped it and verify with them what they did to the car at time to make sure it matches.

bazz26 · 28-05-2014 2:31pm

Personally I'd rather buy something like this:

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http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Hyundai/i30/Comfort-115Bhp/43213964437856460/

colm_mcm · 29-05-2014 7:55pm

KCAccidental · 30-05-2014 12:58am

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/daewoo-lanos-1-3-nct-02-15/7040130

going to have a look at this tomorrow (I know, a daewoo haha) price seems too good to be true with a long nct. what should I be looking out for? im saving for a cheap first car so im not too bothered with looks, power at the moment.

cheers.

bazz26 · 30-05-2014 1:08pm

On a €450 car I'd probably check that it starts, goes and stops ok. Make sure it is ticking over ok, not making any strange noises or rattles, the exhaust isn't smokey, etc. Take it for a good spin and make sure it isn't over heating or misfiring. Ideally bring someone you know who is knowledgeable with cars.

KCAccidental · 30-05-2014 1:18pm

bazz26 wrote: »

On a €450 car I'd probably check that it starts, goes and stops ok. Make sure it is ticking over ok, not making any strange noises or rattles, the exhaust isn't smokey, etc. Take it for a good spin and make sure it isn't over heating or misfiring. Ideally bring someone you know who is knowledgeable with cars.

cheers Bazz, yeah I'm under no illusions that it will be a beauty at that price! Just attracted by the long nct, really.

thanks for replying!

TimeToShine · 30-05-2014 1:47pm

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/vw-golf-1-4-sport-one-owner-nct/7042549

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/beautiful-sportline-golf-reduction/6965500

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2005-volkswagen-golf-1-4/6510677

Can anybody shed some light on these VW Golfs? Looking to spend a max of 3500 and these all look like reasonable value.

MidlandsM · 30-05-2014 2:18pm

TimeToShine wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/vw-golf-1-4-sport-one-owner-nct/7042549

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/beautiful-sportline-golf-reduction/6965500

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2005-volkswagen-golf-1-4/6510677

Can anybody shed some light on these VW Golfs? Looking to spend a max of 3500 and these all look like reasonable value.

1.4 petrol golfs.....not the best engine to be fair.

TimeToShine · 30-05-2014 2:25pm

MidlandsM wrote: »

1.4 petrol golfs.....not the best engine to be fair.

I'm thinking a 1.9 diesel will destroy me when going for insurance as a young 20 something...what hatchback would you recommend in that price range?

MidlandsM · 30-05-2014 2:28pm

TimeToShine wrote: »

I'm thinking a 1.9 diesel will destroy me when going for insurance as a young 20 something...what hatchback would you recommend in that price range?

A good focus 1.4, or mazda3 or a corolla. A car always overlooked in this segment is a mitsi lancer...1.4, japaneese reliability and they come cheaper than all the rest.

bazz26 · 30-05-2014 2:40pm

KCAccidental wrote: »

cheers Bazz, yeah I'm under no illusions that it will be a beauty at that price! Just attracted by the long nct, really.

thanks for replying!

Don't buy into the long NCT too much, it is nice to have but it is not an indication of mechanical worthiness. It is only an indication that the car was road worthy on the day it was tested.

TimeToShine · 30-05-2014 2:42pm

MidlandsM wrote: »

A good focus 1.4, or mazda3 or a corolla. A car always overlooked in this segment is a mitsi lancer...1.4, japaneese reliability and they come cheaper than all the rest.

Thanks I'll look into them, some nice Focus/Corollas on offer.

MidlandsM · 30-05-2014 2:45pm

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/lancer-1-3-cheap-car-fresh-nct/6988868

Id have this for example over a petrol golf. Saloon, alloys, new nct etc....good value. Much better value

bazz26 · 30-05-2014 2:46pm

TimeToShine wrote: »

Thanks I'll look into them, some nice Focus/Corollas on offer.

The 1.4 Corolla would be the most powerful of that list but they also command a premium second hand as they are popular and generally regarded as a good car.

TimeToShine · 30-05-2014 2:51pm

MidlandsM wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/lancer-1-3-cheap-car-fresh-nct/6988868

Id have this for example over a petrol golf. Saloon, alloys, new nct etc....good value. Much better value

Would the insurance not be higher because it's not a hatchback or is that irrelevant?

bazz26 wrote: »

The 1.4 Corolla would be the most powerful of that list but they also command a premium second hand as they are popular and generally regarded as a good car.

I'm willing to spend around 3500 if its worth the price - just want to keep insurance below 1500 if possible.

bazz26 · 30-05-2014 3:40pm

3500 will probably get you a good 2003 or average 2004 Corolla. They hold their value pretty well. Hatchbacks fetch more money than saloons. Cannot see there being any difference in insurance between either.

L-M · 30-05-2014 11:31pm

Be careful with high mile VVTI 1.4 Corollas, some can burn oil heavily.

MidlandsM · 31-05-2014 11:37am

Limerick man wrote: »

Be careful with high mile VVTI 1.4 Corollas, some can burn oil heavily.

Yeah...and the timing chain can slacken.

Cantona's Collars · 01-06-2014 11:22pm

Does this seem a bit too cheap? http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2007-audi-a4-2-0-tdi-6-speed/6923657

Very tempted by it.

MidlandsM · 01-06-2014 11:25pm

zerks wrote: »

Does this seem a bit too cheap? http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2007-audi-a4-2-0-tdi-6-speed/6923657

Very tempted by it.

Yeah. Avoid that 2.0 engine on that plate.

Dia1988 · 01-06-2014 11:28pm

zerks wrote: »

Does this seem a bit too cheap? http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2007-audi-a4-2-0-tdi-6-speed/6923657

Very tempted by it.

Do you want me to buy it and I can then sell it to you for 7k?
I don't mind....I'm nice like that!

Seems like a UK import with the less desirable 2.0 engine.
Good price though

sandy_c · 04-06-2014 7:51pm

Hi all,

Currently in the market for a new car, looking at Avensis estates. Main requirements are space, reliability and fuel economy. Have driven a couple and am happy with how they drive and feel, ruled the others out because they looked like they hadn't been looked after and were a little bit knocked around.

Looking at this car:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Avensis/2.0-D4D-/49514005067351330/advert?channel=CARS

Have never spent this kind of money on a car before, just wondered if we would be overpaying at that price.

When I step back and think about it, 13-14k seems a lot for a 5 year old car. I know the resale values are quite good, but would that be the case if a new model avensis came along? With the current model being 5 years old seems likely enough in the coming years.

Thanks

colm_mcm · 04-06-2014 7:56pm

The 03-09 shape models values didn't fall off the cliff when the current model came out to be fair despite being heavily discounted towards the end of production

Pacifico · 05-06-2014 12:25pm

Anyone have any opinions on the Accord below? Motor check didn't throw up anything odd but is it too cheap?!

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2007-honda-accord-sport-just-passed-nct/7070586

TimeToShine · 05-06-2014 1:34pm

Any opinions on Astra hatchbacks from 2002-2006?

MidlandsM · 05-06-2014 2:38pm

TimeToShine wrote: »

Any opinions on Astra hatchbacks from 2002-2006?

what year? the H model came out in 2004 - I sold shed loads of them H models, I know lots about them.

i'm sure i can help

TimeToShine · 05-06-2014 2:43pm

MidlandsM wrote: »

what year? the H model came out in 2004 - I sold shed loads of them H models, I know lots about them.

i'm sure i can help

Are these the H models you refer to?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/05-astra-1-4-sxi-nct-2-15-showroom-condt/7073294

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/opel-astra-2005-ntc-tax/7068451

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/opel-astra-1-4/7004774

Got to drive one the last day (an 04) and liked it quite a bit. Think I'll go for one instead of a focus/corolla but just want to make sure they're ok. It's the 1.4 petrol I'm after.

What do you think? There seems to be a fair few on offer so I'll shop around. Anything in particular to look out for?

MidlandsM · 05-06-2014 3:40pm

TimeToShine wrote: »

Are these the H models you refer to?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/05-astra-1-4-sxi-nct-2-15-showroom-condt/7073294

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/opel-astra-2005-ntc-tax/7068451

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/opel-astra-1-4/7004774

Got to drive one the last day (an 04) and liked it quite a bit. Think I'll go for one instead of a focus/corolla but just want to make sure they're ok. It's the 1.4 petrol I'm after.

What do you think? There seems to be a fair few on offer so I'll shop around. Anything in particular to look out for?

yes, all H models 2004 to 2010.

I'd not bother with any of those 3 you highlighted.

A decent often overlooked car. 5 star Ncap, safe car. Good value - my buyers guide on buying one would be -

Buy a low milage example with a service history (a must)

Check the following -

the fan motor in behind the dash works, on all speeds ...if not, or noises, expect €250 for a new fan motor from opel, and €40 more for a resistor. Reason is if the pollen filter is not changed as needed as per servicing, they can get wet, and drop water down the motor, fecking it up.

Check all electrics.

Check the air con works.

check for oil leaks, coolant

Check ECU in left front wing in front of wheel arch liner, may become vulnerable to moisture ingress. check its dry in there.

Check for Water traps at top of front suspension turrets leading to premature corrosion there

Check for sloppy wiper linkages .....make sure there is no "play" in the wipers.

Thats it @ the top of my head. If you want help with an inspection, drop me a pm.

TimeToShine · 05-06-2014 3:45pm

Thanks very much. Appreciate it.

I just picked the first three that popped up. I'll look a bit more carefully later and bear the low mileage/service history in mind before I go to inspect in person.

MidlandsM · 05-06-2014 3:47pm

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/opel-astra-16v-life-1-4-2004/7038130

just an example, no affiliation.

Claims service history, and you'll get a warranty.

Buying a used car in Ireland guide

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