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Author Archives: Jeff Aherne
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 [...]
Posted in Blog, Trade News Tagged confiscate, fraud, Motor Tax, motor taxation, off the road declaration, used cars Leave a comment
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 [...]
Posted in Blog, Trade News Tagged failure to insure, insurance, new rules for off the road vehicles, SORN, uk car insurance, used cars 1 Comment
It’s our Birthday: Cartell is five years old!
When we set up 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 in their lifetime. [...]
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) [...]
Posted in Blog, Trade News Tagged bribery allegations, national car test, nct, Road Safety Authority, the irish times Leave a comment
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 [...]
Posted in Blog, Trade News Tagged clocking, Finance, Guaranteed Future Values, used car history check, used cars, vehicle clocking Leave a comment
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 [...]
Renault Ireland Statement concerning Electric Window Fault
Following coverage on RTÉs The Consumer Show concerning a fault on the electric windows of certain Renault vehicles – which can result in the windows spontaneously opening when the vehicle’s engine is turned off – Renault Ireland has issued a statement in which it says that Renault “through its franchise dealer network operates a policy [...]
Posted in Blog, Trade News Tagged electric windows fault, new cars, renault, renault ireland, the consumer show, used cars, window regulators Leave a comment
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 [...]
Posted in Blog, Trade News Tagged daihatsu, new cars, paschal kennedy motors, seat, used car advice, used car reviews, used cars, volkswagen group Leave a comment
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 [...]
Hikes in Motor Tax, tolls and fuel to hit Irish motorist
The Irish Independent today reports that hikes in motor tax, fuel costs and new motorway tolls are among a range of measures in the pipeline. The paper reports that drivers can expect to pay more to tax their car from early next year following a realignment of the tax system. It appears the government is [...]
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 [...]
New campaign to improve safety on Irish motorways
The Road Safety Authority, Gardai, National Roads Authority and AA Ireland (Cartell.ie Partner) have joined forces for a new campaign aimed at motorway safety. Ireland has 1,187km of motorway and since 2005 there have been 100 fatalities or serious injuries on those routes. Eight people died last year and this year there have been six [...]
Posted in Blog Tagged aa ireland, drivers, motorways, road safety, road safety authority (rsa), vehicles Leave a comment
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 [...]
Posted in Blog, Trade News Tagged irish independent, levy, Motor Tax, Revenue, tax, used cars Leave a comment
Car Clocking is major issue for used-car buyers – especially imports
Earlier this year 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 clocking is prevalent right across [...]
Posted in Blog, Trade News Tagged bbc mot statistics, cartell.ie statistics, clocking, used cars, vehicle clocking Leave a comment
New version of Mercedes C-Class soon to be available
Mercedes has announced details for the new 2012 C-Class C63 AMG Coupe according to industry source Jatonet and it’s expected the car will be formally unveiled at the New York Autoshow in April. The C63 AMG Coupe is expected to be available in showrooms in September though this will depend on market factors. The specifications [...]
Posted in Blog, Car Review, Trade News Tagged amg, c63, Cartell.ie, mercedes c-class Leave a comment
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 [...]
BMW announce new Series 6 Coupé
BMW has announced details for the new 2+2-seater Series 6 Coupé. According to Jato Net the new 640i Coupe will sport a 3.0 liter six-cylinder in-line gasoline unit with BMW TwinPower Turbo, direct injection and VALVETRONIC which will produce 320 PS, and a maximum torque of 450 Nm mated to an eight-speed Sports automatic transmission. [...]
Posted in Blog, Car Review, Trade News Tagged 640i, 650i, bmw 6 series, bmw ireland, series 6 coupé Leave a comment
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 [...]
Geneva Motor Show: Some affordable vehicles
Last week we mentioned the unveiling of the Ferrari FF at the Geneva Motor Show – one of the highlights from this years event. However there are many other cars causing a stir including more affordable models. Here’s a very quick look at two of them, starting with the Hyundai i40: This vehicle will be [...]
300 unclaimed cars were scrapped in Dublin
The Irish Times today reports that 300 cars were scrapped last year by Dublin City Council after the impounded vehicles were not claimed. Alison Healy reports that among the cars scrapped were premium brands such as Jaguar and Mercedes and some of the cars were registered as recently as 2006. The article indicates that the [...]
Posted in Blog, Trade News Tagged abandoned car, abandoned vehicle unit, Cartell.ie, dublin city council, the irish times, VAT, VRT 2 Comments
Geneva Motor Show: Ferrari FF is “a break from the past”
GENEVA MOTOR SHOW March 1: Ferrari unveil the new Ferrari FF after pictures circulated in January of the vehicle. Described by the company as ‘innovative’ and ‘a break from the past’ the vehicle is also coined as ‘unusual’ and can be ‘a different Ferrari for different Ferrari owners’. The company has significantly hyped the vehicle [...]
Ford to bolster Mondeo line-up with new 1.6 litre TDCi
Ford have announced the availability of a new 1.6l TDCi to the Irish consumer according to Jato. Since the facelift model was launched Autumn-2010 the popular family/fleet car has been limited to a 2.0 TDCi with no smaller aspiration diesel engines available here. Nor could the Irish consumer avail of the EcoBoost Petrol engine which [...]
Posted in Blog, Car Review, Trade News Tagged Cartell.ie, category a, ecoboost, ford, ford mondeo, tdci Leave a comment
Cartell statistics on ‘clocking’ of motor vehicles
Over 88,000 vehicles ‘clocked’ in Dublin and Cork Last week Cartell published statistics on the prevalence of vehicle ‘clocking’ in Ireland (the practice of altering a vehicle’s odometer) with a county-by-county breakdown. We’re delighted that the story has received considerable attention in local and national media outlets. The Sun Newspaper, for instance, gave the matter [...]
Posted in Blog, Trade News Tagged Cartell, Cartell.ie, county-by-county breakdown, Statistics, the sun, used cars, vehicle clocking Leave a comment
Credit Unions to provide car loans through new DACU
Completecar.ie report on a new initiative called Direct Access to Credit Unions (DACU), a project set up by credit unions across Ireland to provide car loans to members and potential new members. The initiative, launched in January 2011, will see many credit unions around the country offer special car loan rates to their members. Commenting [...]
Car Ownership Scam to avoid penalty points!
The Irish Times reports (February 2, 2011, print edition) on an ownership scam where vehicle ownership is transferred to unsuspecting persons in order to avoid fines and penalty points. In one case the paper reports that a Co. Wicklow-based child, aged 13, was listed as the owner of a vehicle which incurred a motoring fine. [...]
VW XL1 will bring fuel consumption to new level
We’re always on the look-out for interesting prototypes: see our previous blog where we looked at some concept cars with stunning new design features. Now Volkswagen has taken concept vehicles to a new level because not only do they present an interesting futuristic design – kinda like the Audi that featured in the film iRobot [...]
New Annual NCT for 10-year-old vehicles
The Irish Times reports that 10-year-old cars face an annual NCT from June. A spokeswoman for Applus+, the company which carries out the test, is quoted by Pamela Duncan of The Irish Times as confirming that cars which are 10 years or older will have to be tested annually from June onwards. She added that [...]
Posted in Blog, Trade News Tagged 10 year old cars, annula nct test, nct, vehicles inspections Leave a comment
Detroit Car Show: Some Highlights
The North America International Auto Show at Detroit closed this week after giving the world a glimpse of some of the treats we can expect from some of the manufacturers this year. At the top end Porsche unveiled the 918 RSR which packs 767 horsepower and is a hybrid race car. Described by autoblog as [...]
Posted in Blog, Trade News Tagged bmw 1 series, bmw 6 series, detroit motor show, hybrids, porsche, toyota prius v Leave a comment
How to measure the Dream Car?
John Walsh considers the question: what is the best car in the world – or put another way – how do you measure such an accolade anyway? Motoring “experts” are forever debating cars in an attempt to answer the eternal question “what is the best car in the world?” The real question, however, is how [...]
Posted in Blog, Trade News Tagged Cartell, Cartell.ie, driving experience, ferrari, reliability, residuals, rolls royce phantom, supercars, value Leave a comment
Buy New or Second-hand?
January is traditionally the busiest month of the year for car sales – both new and second hand – and this year appears no different. With that in mind we wanted to give purchasers some advice which perhaps you´ll consider before buying. New Car or Second-hand? The second hand car market is particularly competitive in [...]
Posted in Blog, Trade News Tagged buyers guide, depreciation, mpgs, new cars, second-hand cars, taxation 2 Comments
Average Annual Mileage: Drop in figures for Diesels
First, Happy New Year to all our customers and readers. We hope – despite the difficult trading conditions – you have a prosperous 2011 and every success. Last year we considered the issue of average mileage in Ireland using figures from our sister-site the NMR and found that average mileage in Ireland was 10,827 miles [...]
Motorsports Update: Spotlight on Luca Di Grassi
John Walsh reviews the drives of one driver who didn’t quite make it to the top With another F1 Season over it’s an apt time to salute one of those who will no longer be racing with us in the future. This week the fickle spotlight of F1 stardom focused on one unloved Virgin: Luca [...]
Latest edition of our Partner Publication: eDrive!
You can view and download the latest edition of our Partner Publication – eDrive. As well as featuring Cartell.ie – concerning our latest well-publicised initiative to track up to 40,000 UK write-offs in Ireland – the magazine has many other interesting bits and pieces: including where it argues that Irish people should buy more ‘interesting [...]
Posted in Blog, Trade News Tagged BMW, Cartell.ie, EDRIVE, honda, mini countryman, peogeot rcz, write-offs Leave a comment
Google and “driverless car” technology.
A few weeks ago, Google announced it had put up more than 140,000 road miles on its driverless test cars including the Toyota Prius hybrid and Audi TT. The underlying technology consists of a combination of radar and laser technology, GPS and video cameras. And while Paris Hilton isn’t driving one of them yet it [...]
Posted in Blog, Trade News Tagged driver safety, driverless cars, google, lasers, paris hilton, Prius, road maps, sensors 1 Comment
On the subject of “women’s cars”!
John Walsh courts controversy when he considers what women – in his view – look for when buying a car I was given a verbal broadside last week whilst eating with some friends. Jennifer asked “why don’t you write about women’s cars?”. Hmm, alright Jennifer, I will. But is there even a woman’s car? Is [...]
Posted in Blog, Trade News Tagged audi tt, car colours, ferrari enzo, fiat 500, lamborghini, men's cars, range rover, volvo c30, women's cars Leave a comment
Car Cloning: UK issue new V5C Registration Document
The licensing authority for new vehicles in the United Kingdom – the DVLA – has recently launched a new look V5C registration document, together with a ‘Buyer Beware‘ initiative. From the 15th August, 2010, the new documents – which are easier to understand than the older versions – will be issued for all newly registered [...]
Automated Car Technology
We want to have a quick look at automated cars: cars that drive themselves! There have been some significant developments in the area lately. Most notably earlier this year German researchers based in Berlin – led by Raul Rojas – have developed a new technology that lets drivers steer using only their eyes – called [...]
Posted in Blog, Trade News Tagged automated driving, berlin university, cybercars, dodge, eyedriver, johnny cabs, technology Leave a comment
Ferrari World opens in Abu Dhabi
In a month when the realities of Ireland’s property boom became apparent Ferrari World – a huge feat of construction – opened in Abu Dhabi. The 200,000 square metre roof of Ferrari World makes it the largest indoor amusement park in the world. Among other attractions the Park is home to the Formula Rossa – [...]
Posted in Blog, Trade News Tagged aby dhabi, amusements, Cartell, ferrari, ferrari wortld Leave a comment
Motorsports Update: Spectacular finish to F1 season!
After a season of ups, downs and unthinkables the final stamp on this year’s season fell in favour of the one everybody thought would win it when the season began. Despite failing to lead the Championship all year until crossing the line in Abu Dhabi young Vettel made it count when it mattered: at the [...]
Posted in Blog, Trade News Tagged Cartell, Cartell.ie, f1, motorspeak, motorsports, red bull Leave a comment
Le Mans cars: more advanced than F1 counterparts?
John Walsh considers in some detail the differences between F1 and Le Mans Prototype (LMP) cars before concluding that F1 cars are still at the apex of car technology Have you ever seen a Le Man car in action? If you’ve ever looked at images of one up close you’ll see that this obtuse lumbering [...]
Posted in Blog, Car Review, Trade News Tagged cars, Cartell, f1, le mans, motorsports, peogeot, racing Leave a comment
‘Ferrari’ Abandoned in Dubai
Abandoned ‘Ferrari’ in the Desert To start the week on a lighthearted note: there have been a few stories on the web about expensive cars abandoned in Dubai including quite a few of this Ferrari F40 (top photo) which was supposedly found in the outskirts of Dubai covered in dust. Spot the problem? The car [...]
Average Mileage in Ireland
Average Mileage in Ireland: Some Statistics Courtesy of the NMR One query we get from time-to-time from consumers concerns the average mileage for a vehicle in Ireland. Understandably potential buyers want to know whether the mileage on the vehicle they are considering buying is more or less than the national average. So the question arises: [...]
Posted in Blog, Statistics, Trade News Tagged average mileage, Cartell, Cartell.ie, mileage, National Mileage Register, NMR, Statistics, sustainable energy ireland 1 Comment
Motorsports Update: The Formula 1 Circus
As the F1 season reaches its climax John Walsh comments on the way money effectively bars all but the very rich from participating: Riches, contacts and marketability: no these aren’t just the rewards in motor sport, these are the criteria needed to get into it. For those of less affluent origin, however, international motorsport exemplifies [...]
Annual NCT for vehicles 10 years and older