PRESS RELEASE

An article in today’s Irish Sun (Wednesday 1 December) features statistics provided by Used Car History Check experts Cartell.ie concerning vehicles imported from the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. The results – based on a sample of 5,430 vehicles – show 11.4% of imports have been clocked (i.e.had their odometer altered to incorrectly reflect a lower number of miles travelled); 9.1% of imports are previous write-offs and 9.2% of imports have outstanding finance.

Cumulatively – and assuming that more than one of those issues does not apply to the same vehicle – that means there are serious consumer issues with nearly one in three imports. Jeff Aherne, Director of Cartell, says: “Approximately one in three imported vehicles have serious concerns. This represents a serious risk for Irish buyers hunting for bargains in Northern Ireland. Cartell.ie was set up in 2006 to help buyers make an informed choice when buying a used vehicle – including imported vehicles – by providing a user-friendly and cost-effective vehicle data checking service. So there is a facility there for Irish consumers who are keen to protect themselves when they shop for vehicles in the North.”

(Listen to Cartell’s Jeff Aherne on Newstalk Lunchtime with Damien Kilberd here )

As regards clocked vehicles the article in today’s Sun quotes Conor Faughnan of the AA and Tommy Broughan TD (Labour) indicating their support for the introduction of a criminal offence to clock a motor vehicle.

Earlier this year Cartell drafted a Bill which sought to criminalise the clocking of a vehicle if enacted and this was presented to the Oireachtas at Transport Committee stage.   Cartell has also sought to highlight the issue of outstanding vehicle finance to consumers, and has been vocal in raising issues concerning write-offs – dating back to an investigation Cartell conducted on the matter in 2007.

Statistics

Cartell can now reveal the top five manufacturers most frequently clocked in 2010:

1. Audi 16.4%
2. Volkswagen 13.3%
3. Honda 13%
4. Toyota 13%
5. BMW 10.6%

The most common models found to be clocked were:

• Audi A4
• Volkswagen Passat
• Honda Accord
• Toyota Avensis
• BMW 3-Series

Further it appears from the statistics that among the brands of cars least likely to be clocked are: Fiat, Daihatsu, Hyundai, and Suzuki.

The total number of vehicles (All Types of Vehicles) registered this year to date is 153,331

The total number of imported vehicles in the year to date is 52,137

Of these the percentage of imported vehicles which constitutes a write-off =9.1% on Finance =9.2% and Clocked=11.4%

Notes to Editors

Cartell.ie was set up in 2006 to help buyers make an informed choice when buying a used vehicle – including imported vehicles – by providing a user-friendly and cost-effective vehicle data checking service

Cartell.ie’s comprehensive reports give consumers the information they need to avoid purchasing an unsuitable vehicle and help safeguard against fraud.

Cartell.ie is a totally independent company and fully Irish owned.

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For further information please contact John Byrne (Cartell.ie) on 087 4199018 or email or check out www.cartell.ie for further information.

Audi 16.4%