Buying a used car in Ireland guide

i71jskz5xu42pb · 20-03-2012 10:08am

Hi,

Looking to replace my current car. I don't drive much, some Dublin city very occasionally, trips down the country even more occasionally. More for the convenience of having one that any serious mileage. Really looking for something reliable (could do without the hassle of trips to the garage), as new as I can get for around the €10k mark.

Came across this:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mitsubishi/Lancer/1.5CC-IN/5213294100986610/advert?channel=CARS

Anybody any views on the Lancer? Any other car models you think I should be looking at? Focus, Corolla, Jetta or Mazda 3 seem to be the ones flagged as similar?

Separate question - I have a 1.4 3rd 98 Golf (the older model from that year) that I'll be getting rid of. Failed last NCT due to rust, given the cost to fix that and the value of the car I don't see the point. Runs perfectly, pretty much always has. Will a garage take a car like this as a trade in? What are my other options?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Our man in Havana · 20-03-2012 2:19pm

What kind of rust?

i71jskz5xu42pb · 20-03-2012 2:25pm

Our man in Havana wrote: »

What kind of rust?

There are different kinds of rust?

A few bits and pieces around the car but main bit is near the door footstep - Garage thought they would need to cut it out and re-weld in another part.

L-M · 20-03-2012 9:37pm

Here's how you do it.

You do the deal as if it were a straight deal, bargain hard etc. then and the very end say "Oh, and you'll take that old Golf off me too?"

Without an NCT a rusty Mk3 Golf is worth nothing. Unless you want to scrap it but then you've to pay for the taxi home.

lauras91 · 20-03-2012 10:15pm

Hello (again)
posted here a few weeks ago and looking at another car now.. Just want to know your opinions on this, reliability, mileage etc on this wee clio...
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3057182
Good price imo as he's looking for nearest offer?
Thanks in advance!!

L-M · 21-03-2012 1:21am

lauras91 wrote: »

Hello (again)
posted here a few weeks ago and looking at another car now.. Just want to know your opinions on this, reliability, mileage etc on this wee clio...
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3057182
Good price imo as he's looking for nearest offer?
Thanks in advance!!

if the timing belt is done go for it. Anything that goes wrong with them is very easy fix.

Simple thing like when you press the break light and the the foglight or any other light comes on it's just a bad connection, the speedo not working is another simple cheap fix. Even if the engine blew up you'd get a new one fitted and all for under 400 euro.

Just make sure all the buttons work and bargain likewise.

lauras91 · 21-03-2012 1:31am

Thanks, Limerick Man, you really seem to know your stuff. Hate people who know nothing instantly telling me I'm mad coz its a renault with high mileage, but then again I'm no expert!
Thanks again, also will be keeping your original post in mind!

L-M · 21-03-2012 1:44am

lauras91 wrote: »

Thanks, Limerick Man, you really seem to know your stuff. Hate people who know nothing instantly telling me I'm mad coz its a renault with high mileage, but then again I'm no expert!
Thanks again, also will be keeping your original post in mind!

High mileage. it's ten years old at 13,000 miles a year. Low mileage cars tend to be worse off, they don't get as much maintenance. My sister had a 10 year old Punto that she bought new, in the end it had 44,000 miles on it and a one lady owner from new. i'd say it had seen four services in it's life, was an absolute pile. But sure enough come sale time, a quick valet and everyone in the country wanted this low mileage, "well minded" car.

Same thing a friend has a 99 Puma with 39,000 miles on it and the gearbox went, literally, from too little use.

Now, all that said you still have to be careful. Make sure the timing belt kit was done. Tyres etc. are cheap enough and so are service kits. Make sure the gearbox is fine, make sure it takes to every gear going up and down no problem. Then, driving at about 35mph, put it in 4th and floor it. Keep the pedal down and it should build up speed slowly and the revs shouldn't quickly jump up (this could indicate a clutch problem.)

Then dip the oil, take it out and wipe it, dip it again and see if there's any cream coloured oil. At the same time open the coolant bottle, there shouldn't be any creamy/oily residue in there. it should be nice clean (ish) coolant.

Most other bits you'll find a Guide online how to fix, if you're any good with cars yourself or know a lad good with a spanner, little amount of tools will take you a long way with a Clio.

lauras91 · 21-03-2012 1:53am

Dads fairly handy with cars, he's always had VWs tho so he's sceptical about renaults or any other make thats not VW, toyota or ford for that matter! How can I know for sure if the timing belt has been done?

L-M · 21-03-2012 1:57am

lauras91 wrote: »

Dads fairly handy with cars, he's always had VWs tho so he's sceptical about renaults or any other make thats not VW, toyota or ford for that matter! How can I know for sure if the timing belt has been done?

Should be written on the engine somewhere, or stamped in the book. That's never a full sure way of telling to be honest, and they have a metal cover over the belt so it's a bit of a pain to look at.

Your Dad sounds like my own. As an example though, i wouldn't touch a Golf of the same age with the same extras at the same year and mileage, guaranteed heartbreaker

lauras91 · 21-03-2012 10:30pm

Went to see the car today... dodgy as, nearly drove away when we saw the 2 lads trying to flog it and the car was just a mess! holes in seats and all

Written on engine that timing belt was done at 50,000 miles but the guy tried to convince it had been done since with no proof!! Oh well, on the look again it seems.....

Edit - you wouldn't go near a golf, i'm guessing you wouldnt consider a polo then?? ha

the GALL · 21-03-2012 11:21pm

lauras91 wrote: »

Went to see the car today... dodgy as, nearly drove away when we saw the 2 lads trying to flog it and the car was just a mess! holes in seats and all Written on engine that timing belt was done at 50,000 miles but the guy tried to convince it had been done since with no proof!! Oh well, on the look again it seems.....

Edit - you wouldn't go near a golf, i'm guessing you wouldnt consider a polo then?? ha

Ah jaysus lads, Whats wrong with a golf?

L-M · 21-03-2012 11:52pm

lauras91 wrote: »

Went to see the car today... dodgy as, nearly drove away when we saw the 2 lads trying to flog it and the car was just a mess! holes in seats and all Written on engine that timing belt was done at 50,000 miles but the guy tried to convince it had been done since with no proof!! Oh well, on the look again it seems.....

Edit - you wouldn't go near a golf, i'm guessing you wouldnt consider a polo then?? ha

From 00-01 i would yeah, good cars. Bits and piece can be dear, the spec would be alot less than Clio but less spec = more reliable!

Pity that Clio was a crapper, but the only way to know is to go and see them. TBh the timing belt was more than likely done, there's no way it would of lasted 90,000 miles and not have broken.

lauras91 · 22-03-2012 12:29am

Looking at at 01 3door 1litre polo from a dealer at home, asking price was 1950.. instantly said he'd drop it to 1500.. I've always like polos, this is a tidy little one but even at 1500 its a bit much, mileage is over 100k, nct til November. I am just being a typical stingy Cavan women or is that a fair price?

L-M · 22-03-2012 12:30am

lauras91 wrote: »

Looking at at 01 3door 1litre polo from a dealer at home, asking price was 1950.. instantly said he'd drop it to 1500.. I've always like polos, this is a tidy little one but even at 1500 its a bit much, mileage is over 100k, nct til November. I am just being a typical stingy Cavan women or is that a fair price?

Seems fair for a 01 Polo alright. Chance him at €13 or €1400 and see how it goes. You can really go too far wrong.

lauras91 · 22-03-2012 12:39am

heres the link for the polo Wouldn't want to come across to cheeky on the offer, he's already knocked 450 off! http://mitsubishi.bradyscavan.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=4813304438639770

Just came across this on donedeal...http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3151441 Seriously cheap for the year..... :eek:

L-M · 22-03-2012 9:40am

Seems a grand little Polo. You would be surprised with those Corsa's, they wouldn't be a great seller at the best of times.

shot2go · 23-03-2012 3:32pm

Would buying an ex taxi be a bad idea? Looking at car on dondeal. Just sold my first car and looking for something cheap 3000 would be my max could possibly go to 4000

L-M · 23-03-2012 7:35pm

shot2go wrote: »

Would buying an ex taxi be a bad idea? Looking at car on dondeal. Just sold my first car and looking for something cheap 3000 would be my max could possibly go to 4000

Depends on the driver. People say they're best minded cars, in my eyes most of them were left until something went wrong and especially in the last few years since "money was tight".

Also, remember very few people will buy one off you again.

if you're asking me would i spend 3 grand on a taxi, i would if the car was right and i planned on running it into the ground, and no if i wanted it to be saleable in the next year or so.

shot2go · 23-03-2012 8:05pm

he has it on done-deal at 2999 very little info on the ad, mileage is 200000 miles.
got brother in law to ring and he dropped price by 500 almost straight away, he said he buys them and sells them, goggled the pone number and lots off ads came up from him. im waiting on forms to get the vrt back on a new car or imported older car for disabled passenger, only want something cheap to keep me going.

dr.fuzzenstein · 23-03-2012 8:13pm

shot2go wrote: »

Would buying an ex taxi be a bad idea? Looking at car on dondeal. Just sold my first car and looking for something cheap 3000 would be my max could possibly go to 4000

I remember a German taxi driver telling me "we do 300000 km, then the engine gets rebuilt, then we do another 300000 km".
To me a taxi is a car that has earned it's money ten times over and is being sold because it's falling apart, is beyond economic maintenance, will have intergalactic mileage on it and is likely snort it's last very soon.
I would buy ex-rental, ex-fleet and ex-cop car before I'd buy ex-taxi.
I think I'd buy from the scrapyard before I'd by ex-taxi.

shot2go · 23-03-2012 8:34pm

What car would Ye recommend? I need something with big boot and room in back, little lad wears splints on his legs so needs legroom. I'm used to driving a small yaris so id say I'm in for shock! I like the avensis and I'm impressed how little my yaris went down in value in 4 years

tom23 · 24-03-2012 11:56pm

howdy campers,

was looking at this, what do you reckon? Paranoid to bits buy car as we are smashed broke and are breakign the bank to get a seven seater... cheers folks.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Renault/Grand-Scenic/1.4diese/4813303826679150/advert?channel=CARS

L-M · 25-03-2012 1:26pm

tom23 wrote: »

howdy campers,

was looking at this, what do you reckon? Paranoid to bits buy car as we are smashed broke and are breakign the bank to get a seven seater... cheers folks.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Renault/Grand-Scenic/1.4diese/4813303826679150/advert?channel=CARS

Looks good in the add anyway, the fact it's 07 doesn't mean it's on the "cheap, emissions based" tax, but it's still cheap tax as a 1.4.

i'd be a bit skeptical about the wording in the add, it's a bit of an over kill but it would be no harm to go and view it. Just make sure it's not on UK plates and that price includes VRT.

colm_mcm · 25-03-2012 4:16pm

It should be 1.5 diesel, still cheap tax, but

Uk import + no service history (mentioned) = handle with care.

Jimdagym · 25-03-2012 4:46pm

Limerick man wrote: »

Looks good in the add anyway, the fact it's 07 doesn't mean it's on the "cheap, emissions based" tax, but it's still cheap tax as a 1.4.

i'd be a bit skeptical about the wording in the add, it's a bit of an over kill but it would be no harm to go and view it. Just make sure it's not on UK plates and that price includes VRT.

It has an NCT do it has to be on Irish plates doesn't it?

Our man in Havana · 25-03-2012 7:59pm

You would think so but stranger things have happened.

tom23 · 25-03-2012 9:26pm

thanks folks for all the replies. I have asked for the reg plate and I will do a full cartell check on it.

Tiesto · 28-03-2012 10:39am

Thinking of selling my car as I really dont have much use for it these days and I'm looking to get an idea of how much I can expect to get for it.
Its a 06 BMW 318i with 98k KM on the clock. Full service history.
It's silver with the cream leather interior and in great condition.
1 previous owner and I've kept it well since I bought it in Oct 2009.
4 brand new tyres put on in January and the alloys themselves are not the boring standard ones you get with the car.

Thanks

Cal04 · 29-03-2012 11:40am

dh has a good distance to drive every day. he has a petrol car and needs to change to a diesel. we were looking at skoda ocavias, but for our budget, they are hard to come by. thinking of a citreon berlingo van, however I know nothing about vans. whats the doe, are tax and insurance much the same price, is it better on diesel than a diesel car? only have a budget of €2,500, or €3,000 if they take a trade in. as long as its diesel, the world is our oyster. mainly, its getting the best we can for that money that is cheap to run.any advise appreciated.

L-M · 29-03-2012 5:29pm

Cal04 wrote: »

dh has a good distance to drive every day. he has a petrol car and needs to change to a diesel. we were looking at skoda ocavias, but for our budget, they are hard to come by. thinking of a citreon berlingo van, however I know nothing about vans. whats the doe, are tax and insurance much the same price, is it better on diesel than a diesel car? only have a budget of €2,500, or €3,000 if they take a trade in. as long as its diesel, the world is our oyster. mainly, its getting the best we can for that money that is cheap to run.any advise appreciated.

if you don't own as business, don't buy a van. Simple.

Cars, it depends. Diesel Octavias (good ones) are hard to come by, you'll just have to keep an eye on donedeal.

Cal04 · 29-03-2012 8:41pm

Limerick man wrote: »

if you don't own as business, don't buy a van. Simple.

Cars, it depends. Diesel Octavias (good ones) are hard to come by, you'll just have to keep an eye on donedeal.

any other good diesel car you could recommend please?

Laurel67000 · 03-04-2012 10:26am

Excellent LimerickMan, thanks for this!
Anyone got any ideas on how to deal with the warranty in the garage? I bought a sencond hand car from a garage with a 6 month warranty, but they are doing everything they can to avoid any work on it. Do I just stand my ground and insist do they do the work I want done on it? Do I threaten to return the car - can I even do that? They are causing so much stress and I can't even enjoy the new car!

Jimdagym · 03-04-2012 11:19am

Laurel67000 wrote: »

Excellent LimerickMan, thanks for this!
Anyone got any ideas on how to deal with the warranty in the garage? I bought a sencond hand car from a garage with a 6 month warranty, but they are doing everything they can to avoid any work on it. Do I just stand my ground and insist do they do the work I want done on it? Do I threaten to return the car - can I even do that? They are causing so much stress and I can't even enjoy the new car!

What is the work? It mightnt be covered by warranty. What does the warranty say?

the GALL · 03-04-2012 11:24am

Laurel67000 wrote: »

Excellent LimerickMan, thanks for this!
Anyone got any ideas on how to deal with the warranty in the garage? I bought a sencond hand car from a garage with a 6 month warranty, but they are doing everything they can to avoid any work on it. Do I just stand my ground and insist do they do the work I want done on it? Do I threaten to return the car - can I even do that? They are causing so much stress and I can't even enjoy the new car!

You might want to check consumer issues I remember something about handing back cars bought from dealers if within a couple of months of purchase.

L-M · 03-04-2012 11:33am

Laurel67000 wrote: »

Excellent LimerickMan, thanks for this!
Anyone got any ideas on how to deal with the warranty in the garage? I bought a sencond hand car from a garage with a 6 month warranty, but they are doing everything they can to avoid any work on it. Do I just stand my ground and insist do they do the work I want done on it? Do I threaten to return the car - can I even do that? They are causing so much stress and I can't even enjoy the new car!

What type of warranty did you get and what's wrong with the car now?

Laurel67000 · 03-04-2012 12:58pm

Jimdagym wrote: »

What is the work? It mightnt be covered by warranty. What does the warranty say?

I do not have it to hand right now, but the clutch is starting to go, I only have it 3 weeks, and also there is a gap between the dashboard and the windscreen, which they tried to fix but is not correct. They seem to feel that because I already had that fixed that they won't look at it again. I know the clutch is an expensive job, but they are saying it is normal, but it is very heavy and giving me pains in my leg.

Laurel67000 · 03-04-2012 12:59pm

I will look into that, thanks

Jimdagym · 03-04-2012 1:11pm

Laurel67000 wrote: »

I do not have it to hand right now, but the clutch is starting to go, I only have it 3 weeks, and also there is a gap between the dashboard and the windscreen, which they tried to fix but is not correct. They seem to feel that because I already had that fixed that they won't look at it again. I know the clutch is an expensive job, but they are saying it is normal, but it is very heavy and giving me pains in my leg.

They probably won't touch the clutch as its a wear and tear, and no offense, but you could easily of ruined that by now (not saying you did), but the gap in windscreen they will have to finish. They have already accepted responsibility by attempting to fix it the first time.

Laurel67000 · 03-04-2012 1:17pm

Jimdagym wrote: »

They probably won't touch the clutch as its a wear and tear, and no offense, but you could easily of ruined that by now (not saying you did), but the gap in windscreen they will have to finish. They have already accepted responsibility by attempting to fix it the first time.

I see what you mean... Well hopefully whan I get it back tomorrow, they will have fixed what I asked them to and we shall see about the clutch! To be honest I didnt know why my leg was sore at first, as I changed from petrol to diesel, then I was informed they should feel the same to drive. Is that true?

L-M · 03-04-2012 2:21pm

Laurel67000 wrote: »

I see what you mean... Well hopefully whan I get it back tomorrow, they will have fixed what I asked them to and we shall see about the clutch! To be honest I didnt know why my leg was sore at first, as I changed from petrol to diesel, then I was informed they should feel the same to drive. Is that true?

it depends on what car it is, the clutch should feel the same* but the car would be different to drive than a petrol.

How do you know the clutch is going?

*With exeption to some jeeps etc.

bungaro79 · 05-04-2012 10:33pm

will hopefully have 8/9k to spend on a car in the next few months. currently have a 01 skoda fabia and i'm hoping that i might be able to get some bit of a trade-in value if i buy from a garage, haven't a clue what kinda value they would put on it, anyone got any ideas??? also would a skoda dealership give me the best trade in price??
is there an average mile/km per year that a "normal" car does so i can narrow down the search when i'm looking online?? did a look on carzone and theres so many to choose from i don't know where to even start (especially when i know hardly anything about cars)! low tax and good milage and for the price would i get something about the same size (or a bit bigger) in 2010 or 2009??
thanks!

helimachoptor · 06-04-2012 10:48am

Just spotted this,

http://www.dublinmotors.ie/viewanad.php?ad_id=767578

880,000 miles!!

Mycroft H · 06-04-2012 4:58pm

helimachoptor wrote: »

Just spotted this,

http://www.dublinmotors.ie/viewanad.php?ad_id=767578

880,000 miles!!

Pretty sure there has to be an extra nought slipped in there somewhere. Thats too clean for more the 3/4 of a million miles. The leather seats are in good condition.

shot2go · 12-04-2012 9:30am

what do ye think off this car http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3108879

good deal or not so good

bhp100 · 12-04-2012 9:50am

thanks

Teferi · 16-04-2012 12:39pm

This seems like the place to ask for advice regarding buying a second hand car so hopefully someone can help me out.

I'm looking to upgrade, have previously had a Yaris and have been driving a 206 for the last 5 years. I am definitely lost when it comes to cars. What would be a solid car in the 2000e range or how would I go about educating myself about this sort of thing? What should I be looking out for in regards to bad stuff in that range? What brands tend to have a good name?

mmmn..chicken · 17-04-2012 2:51pm

hi limerick man you should be charging for all the advice:) i bought my last car a nissan almera 99 off donedeal in the dark in the middle of winter and drove from tipp to kilkenny to meet a stranger from wexford and handed over cash without even trying to drive it as i was afraid i would crash it on the ice.....what an idiot i was , luckily the car is a dinger. but tis getting on a bit so im looking to trade up. after reading your first post in this thread I feel like some "thick eejit" at how naive I was
i have around 4000 to spend
would prefer diesel but would go petrol
around 1.4-1.6 engine
babs due in july so need something decent enough size
year 2003 and up
was thinking peugeot 407 / mazda/citreon c5/ ford focus
been told to get wv/ skoda/nissan or mazda?
any advice or tips on what i should look for greatly appreciated:D
thanks so much

L-M · 17-04-2012 9:21pm

Throw up a few links of what you like and we can advise you that way

String · 19-04-2012 1:51am

Can I request to send off the logbook my self when buying off a dealer? Let them fill out all the information and then I go post it?

Buying a used car in Ireland guide

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