Clare garage owners are backing a proposal which it’s claimed would offer “peace of mind” to buy car dealers and buyers.
A new report from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission is calling for an online portal giving used car buyers free access to vital vehicle history information.
The CCPC’s report says consumers are entitled to information which would help limit the number of dangerous, clocked or poorly-repaired cars on the roads.
Under the proposal, an online portal would be established which would give buyers free access to information such as write-off status and mileage readings.
As is stands, this information is collected by the State but is either unavailable to the public or kept by commercial car history providers such as Cartell and Motorcheck who release it for a fee.
The report states these details should be free to access while also claiming most people aren’t aware of these services.
Derek Considine of Derek Considine Car Sales in Miltown Malbay it’s unlikely these companies will be in support of the proposal as selling the information is their source of profit.
It’s also been found that Ireland is a relative outlier when it comes to disclosure of information on used cars.
As many as twenty EU countries as well as UK, New Zealand and Australia offer free public access to car histories.
The CCPC reported in 2024 that it received 3,192 contacts to its national consumer helpline in relation to second-hand car issues.
Michael Breen of N18 Autos in Newmarket-on-Fergus believes such a service here is an inevitability and would be welcomed by dealers and buyers alike.
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