In order to identify and steer clear of damaged or unsafe automobiles at the time of purchase, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has urged the government to create a database of used cars that is open to the public, reports Breaking News.
The request comes after RTÉ and The Irish Times reported that a hazardous automobile had passed the National automobile Test, which is administered by the Spanish company Applus+ and supervised by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
The CCPC’s report states: “Every year, the CCPC is contacted by thousands of consumers who have a problem with a used car they have bought, including hundreds who believe that a used car they purchased in good faith was previously crashed without that damage being disclosed. These cars may be unsafe to drive or require expensive repairs to make them safe. The CCPC believes that consumers should be armed with the information they need when buying a used car to help them avoid being misled into making a purchase they would not otherwise have made,” reports Breaking News.
The CCPC feels that Ireland is falling behind nations like Australia and the UK in terms of having centralised databases of used car histories that are available to car buyers, even if internet service providers like Motorcheck can partially research a used automobile’s past.
“Action is urgently required to enhance and extend the delivery of information on used cars by the State to help consumers avoid being misled by both traders and private sellers,” according to the CCPC, reports Breaking News.
According to the CCPC, buyers of secondhand automobiles will have to pay €57 million in 2023 to have defective vehicles fixed or, in the event of severe damage, to have them demolished.
The CCPC believes that much of this issue could be alleviated by taking data directly from insurers. “The details of cars that are crashed, repaired, and put back on the road should be captured by the State and made available via an online portal,” it said, reports Breaking News.
“This information should be provided by insurers and shared with consumers. The portal should also inform consumers of outstanding recalls on used cars, enabling them to check whether a safety issue has been resolved.”
Additionally, the CCPC is requesting a comment on how the government may force repair shops and garages to enter their data on vehicles that have been fixed into the system.
Even though the NCT logs a vehicle’s mileage during each test and is meant to detect both major and small issues, consumers hardly ever get access to this information. They are forced to depend on the supplier to produce prior NCT certifications, reports Breaking News.
Although efforts have been made to make this data publicly available, the CCPC points out that significant structural changes within the RSA, such as its split into two distinct companies, have left it unclear which entity would be in charge of carrying out these duties.
According to the CCPC: “There is a clear public interest in empowering consumers to access information about the history of a used car to protect both the buyer and the public,” reports Breaking News.
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