Motor Tax Increases: Cartell Proposes Solution

Government Motor Tax Coffers Plummit Cartell offers alternative motor taxation calculator Like everyone else who drives a car in Ireland we were all disappointed in the Cartell office to learn the news that the Minister for Finance is set to increase motor tax in the upcoming budget. We are told he will increase motor tax […]

Partner eDrive edition features some super content

The latest edition of our Partner Ezine eDrive The edition is available now for viewing online (no download required). It announces the launch (Summer 2012) of the new Ford Kuga which is larger than the current version and will be larger than the Focus (currently the Kuga and Focus are built from the same platform). […]

Cartell.ie Feature in today’s Sunday Independent

Cartell.ie Bill on Vehicle Clocking gets National Coverage Today’s Sunday Independent credits Used Car History Check experts Cartell.ie with prominent drive to criminalise vehicle clocking in Ireland In a piece written by journalist Shane O Donoghue Cartell is mentioned in connection with drafting a Bill which seeks to send out a clear message that vehicle […]

11.11.11 – we examine the number 1

Another Day to Rival Binary Day In a widely-read blog published in October 2010 Cartell highlighted the signifiance of binary code and computer technology in the development of the automobile. Today we consider another important numeric code: 111111  – which is the date tomorrow. Of course, as we pointed out in the earlier article in […]

New research says ‘clocking’ of imports significant

Clocking of imports significant as Cartell.ie praised for efforts The results of research released by Used Car History Check experts Cartell partners AA Ireland says that clocking of imports is a significant problem. AA Ireland say from a survey of 5,430 cars imported from the UK this year 11% of the cars have had their mileages doctored […]

Mazda Ireland the latest to offer finance direct to consumers

During the week it was reported that Mazda Ireland are now offering finance packages direct to consumers. This means Mazda join other vehicle manufacturers – Renault, BMW and Volkswagen – in affording the consumer an alternative to the High Street banks. Our recent data shows this development is having an impact on the market too: […]

Car banks taking over from High Street?

Vehicle experts Completecar.ie rely on data provided by Used Car History Check experts Cartell to argue that manufacturer-own-banks are already impacting on the financial end of the car market in Ireland. In the wake of the fallout from Lehman Brothers and the consequent global turmoil as well as our own domestic banking problems – which are […]

Outstanding Finance still a serious problem

The Irish Times today use statistics provided by Cartell on levels of finance Statistics published today by Used Car History Check experts Cartell.ie indicate that buyers have a 1 in 5 chance of purchasing a three year old or four year old vehicle with finance outstanding. From a sample of over 5906 vehicles offered for sale […]

Keep those January Motoring Expenses Down!

Apply for your NCT and Car Servicing Now to Avoid Costs in January With January fast approaching – traditionally one of the worst months in the year for expenses – Cartell offers some advice to consumers. January is a miserable month for most of us: Christmas is over, the turkey is eaten, the beer and […]

Green coloured vehicles are higher risk

The Irish Sun feature statistics provided by Cartell Today’s Irish Sun, in a feature written by journalist Mark May, features statistics provided by Used Car History Check experts Cartell which show that Green is the riskiest car colour in Ireland – by far. Following extensive research based on a sample of 5,430 write-offs taken from […]

Service Car Yourself to Avoid expense!

Cartell stats quoted in today’s Irish Independent An article in today’s Irish Independent advises consumers to service vehicles themselves and look at other cost saving options in a bid to keep household expenses down. John Cadden writes: “It will probably come as no surprise to learn that our cars are getting older. After all, new […]

Cartell statistics feature in Sunday Independent

Statistics provided by Cartell featured in this week’s Sunday Independent in Ireland. Used Car History Check experts Cartell provided the newspaper with information showing the car fleet in Ireland is aging – there has been a significant shift in the last five years: in January 2006 the average age of a car with up-to-date motor […]

Completecar.ie Announcement

Used Car History Check expert Cartell.ie is delighted to announce a new partnership with car advice experts Completecar.ie. Fronted by Ireland’s leading motoring journalists Shane O Donoghue and Paddy Comyn, Completecar has already established itself as one of the foremost Irish sources for consumer buying advice – offering practical and readily accessible information in a […]

Is Car Platooning the next big thing?

  The newspaper The Economist in their most recent Technology Quarterly considers whether a technology that lets drivers remain in their cars, but asks them to relinquish control on long journeys, have any chance of success. The article cites automobile “platoons” as a possible solution to congestion and would afford reduced fuel consumption. The idea, […]

UK off-the-road regime may be introduced in Ireland

In a recent blog post Cartell.ie highlighted to Irish readers and motoring enthusiasts the significant development in England in June which introduced a new rule requiring off-the-road vehicles to be insured. Failure to do so now results in a criminal offence. As part of our research for that blog Cartell contacted various interest groups in […]

Annual NCT for vehicles 10 years and older

The National Car Test (NCT) now applies annually to vehicles 10 years old since June 1. Up until that date vehicles were subject to their first NCT after four years and another test every two years thereafter. The new rules mean a vehicle will still have its first NCT after four years and will then […]

Plans to confiscate “off-the-road” cars in Ireland

The Irish Independent reports that the Department of the Environment has drafted legislation to allow for the confiscation of vehicles which are fraudulently declared off-the-road. The paper reports that a considerable number of vehicle owners are falsely declaring their vehicle to be off the road – and signing declarations to that effect – while continuing […]

New Insurance Rules in UK – failure to insure off-the-road vehicle an offence

New vehicle insurance rules are set to be introduced in the UK. The rules make it an offence to fail to insure a vehicle which is off the road. The rules will be introduced following a joint collaboration between the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) and the UKs vehicle licensing authority (DVLA). The purpose of the […]

It’s our Birthday: Cartell is five years old!

When we set up Used Car History Check Cartell five years ago one of our primary goals was to make Irish roads safer by ensuring those in the market for a vehicle were aware of exactly what they were getting into! The purchase of a vehicle is one of the most important investments an individual makes […]

Cartell.ie International Rally on TV – watch it here!

You can watch event highlights from this months Cartell.ie International Rally of the Lakes by clicking on the following link. The event  featured in the TV Show RPM Motorsport. A reminder to our readers that Daragh O’Riordan in his SI2B Subaru WRC, won the event following a thoroughly comprehensive performance all weekend. His car was […]

NCT was investigated but no problem identified

The Irish Times reports – in an article written by David Labanyi – that an investigation into alleged flaws in the equipment used for the National Car Test (NCT) carried out in February, prior to the Prime Time revelations last week, failed to identify any significant problems. The investigation was carried out by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) […]

Vandalism of Vehicles: The Most Vandalised Cars

A UK website (lovemoney.com) has published a list of the top ten most vandalised cars. While the results are specific to the UK market a great deal can still be learned from them. The research – conducted by UK insurer swiftcover.com* – revealed that high-end brands were consistently targeted by vandals more than any other […]

Guaranteed Future Values leading to Car Clocking

CAR CLOCKING appears to be on the rise again according to Motor Trade Insider. In an article published online the group say the practice is widespread – and not just from spurious car dealers. The article says that while Guaranteed Future Values are linked, to a certain extent, to the mileage the buyer states they […]

Used Car Advice: “I’ve got about 7k for a new used car!”

Introducing the second feature in our new series: Used Car Advice. After our first customer, Clare, heeded our advice last week and purchased a 04 Nissan Primera we were contacted by Aoife who was likewise looking for a FREE Cartell History Check in return for some advice! Aoife, and husband Dermot, are living in Westmeath […]

Applus+ report NCT bribery claims to Gardai

Cartell.ie understands that Applus+, the company given responsibility to conduct the National Car Test (NCT) will launch an internal investigation following revelations last night on RTÉs Prime Time programme which claimed bribes had been accepted by NCT officials in return for allowing defective vehicles pass the test. This calls into question the integrity of the […]

Gardai Seizing Large Number of Vehicles

The Irish Independent today reports that motorists are having their cars seized in unprecedented numbers because they are refusing to tax or insure them or apply for the NCT. 26,044 cars were seized by Gardai at the roadside last year which was more than twice the amount in previous years, according to Treacy Hogan. The […]

“…the rally was exhilarating…I thoroughly appreciate winning!”

As part of the Cartell.ie International Rally of the Lakes 2011 we were delighted to give away a fantastic weekend for an enthusiast of the Rally including: 3 nights accommodation at rally HQ, The Gleneagle Hotel 2 free tickets to see Jenny Greene play the ‘Electric Disco’ in the INEC on Saturday the 30th of April […]

Used Car Advice! Trading in a Lanos…Conclusion!

Regular readers of our new feature series – Used Car Advice – will remember Clare. She was trading up from her 00 Daewoo Lanos following the birth of her first child and was looking for something a bit bigger and with easier access to the backseat. Cartell.ie gave a few options – including a Nissan […]

So is Scrappage really driving the Market?

In 2009 the Government of the day announced the introduction of a scheme – the scrappage scheme – which provided a significant financial incentive for owners of 10-year-old vehicles to buy a new car. Originally the scheme was worth €1,500 to a buyer of a new vehicle but that figure was reduced to €1,250 for […]

TRADE FOCUS: Paschal Kennedy Motors, Dun Laoghaire

The location of Paschal Kennedy Motors is steeped in history – it has a unique structure and architecture, including a horseshoe shaped entrance, dating from the time the building was used as a forge – up until the beginning of the twentieth century. The premises was first used as a garage in 1925 – named […]

Daragh O’Riordan wins the Cartell.ie International Rally of the Lakes 2011!

Congratulations to Cork’s Daragh O’Riordan (SI2B Subaru WRC) for his comprehensive victory in the Cartell.ie International Rally of the Lakes 2011! Co-driven by Derry’s Tony McDaid they finished three minutes and 50.4 seconds ahead of second-place Denis Cronin/Coleman (Hurley Subaru WRC), and third placed Eoin Doyle/Peter Brennan (Subaru WRC). The journalists favourite for the event, […]

First pictures of our Fantastic Rally Coursecar!

Our good friends and partners at BMW Automotive Ireland / Mini Ireland have kindly supplied Cartell.ie with a fantastic race spec car for us to use during the 2011 Cartell.ie International Rally of the Lakes. It will be used throughout the event as the main sponsor car and will be driven on all the stages […]

Cartell.ie International Rally of the Lakes 2011

PRESS RELEASE Cartell.ie International Rally of the Lakes 2011 Killarney, INEC, April 29 – May 1, 2011 The May Bank Holiday weekend has long been associated with rallying – it’s the weekend of the Rally of the Lakes an international event of prestige which features – at Molls Gap – one of the most picturesque […]

Used Car Advice Trading in a Lanos Update!

Regular readers of our blog will remember Clare who asked us for some help choosing a car after she realised her Daewoo Lanos did not fit the bill after the birth of her first child. We recommended a few different options for Clare, including a Ford Mondeo and a Mercedes Benz A Class – so […]

Merchandise for Cartell.ie International Rally!

Here’s a sneak preview of some 2011 Cartell.ie International Rally of the Lakes Merchandise! We’re delighted to work with Autofashion Rally Merchandise to bring top quality gear for this years event. Due to high demand we recommend you get yours early to avoid disappointment! The people at Autofashion will sell all the gear featured above […]

Launching the 2011 Cartell.ie International Rally of the Lakes!

2011 Cartell.ie International Rally of the Lakes Launch Night Mayor of Killarney Donal Grady last night said the Cartell.ie International rally “is now regarded as the event which kick starts the tourist season in Killarney each year.” Speaking at the launch of the 2011 Rally he assured the  large numbers in attendance that Killarney Town […]

Used Car Advice! Trade-In a Daewoo Lanos and purchase a…?

In a new regular feature Cartell.ie asks buyers in the market for details on the type of used-car they’re looking to purchase – the factors that go into their decision – and then we research the market and make some suggestions for used cars (with a little help from our friends in the trade!) This […]

Latest edition of eDRIVE – our Partner eZine – now online!

You can now view the latest edition of our Partner Ezine eDrive! This month’s edition features news on the Cartell.ie International Rally of the Lakes which will take place April 29 – May 1 in Killarney. Cartell’s Jeff Aherne tells the magazine how he watched the Rally in Killarney when he was a teenager and […]

Report says 240,000 new and used cars untaxed

The Irish Independent today reports that as many as 120,000 motorists never pay any road tax according to figures obtained by that newspaper. Treacy Hogan, who wrote the article, also notes that 120,000 people are falsely declaring that their vehicle has been off the road for months – meaning road tax is not due on […]

Car Clocking is major issue for used-car buyers – especially imports

Earlier this year Used Car History Check experts Cartell released information on the estimated number of clocked vehicles per county across the country, which was extensively recirculated in the national and local media. We highlighted, in that report, a couple of things: clocking is a nationwide problem in Ireland for purchasers of used cars; and […]

TRADE FOCUS: Sleator Kia, Mullingar

For this month’s Trade Focus Cartell.ie stopped by for a chat with Sleator Kia just off the M4 in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. It’s been a good year for Sleator’s they were this year officially appointed Kia Dealer for Westmeath and Longford after a presence in the area selling cars for many years previously. Barry Martin […]

Used Car Review: Kia Cee’d Diesel

During a recent chat with Barry Martin at Sleator Kia, Mullingar, Cartell.ie asked what car he would recommend for a customer with €20,000 to spend on a used car. Barry didn’t hesitate to recommend a 3-month-old (pre-registered demo) Kia Cee’d so Cartell.ie hopped in the drivers seat to try it out. Normally retailing for €20,850 […]

How Tsunami will affect Japanese Car Industry

In the wake of the earthquake, Tsunami, power blackout, and subsequent nuclear fallout, there has been much coverage on the issue of how the Japanese car market will be affected by the turbulence. The short answer is that the industry will be affected significantly. Among other direct consequences Japanese car plants have had their power […]

Entry Forms Open for Cartell International Rally

As already announced Cartell are delighted to be associated – as title sponsor – with the International Rally of the Lakes 2011. Ordnance Survey Ireland and the Gleneagle Hotel who have been the main supporters of the Rally of the Lakes for many years are continuing as Associate Sponsors. The 32nd Rally of the Lakes […]

Fuel Prices hitting Irish Families

The Irish Independent today reports that families are now paying an extra €1,000 a year to run their cars as petrol prices spiral above the €1.50-a-litre mark at the pumps. The latest price increase has been triggered as a result of the Middle East conflict. However AA Ireland point to two noticeable price increases in […]