Pages
Categories
Author Archives: Jeff Aherne
AA Ireland is 100 Years Old!
Cartell.ie would like to congratulate AA Ireland on its Centenary! We are delighted that AA is one of our Partners and we’d like to extend our best wishes to everyone there for the tremendous effort: 100 years in business in Ireland is a fantastic milestone and deserves mention. To celebrate the occasion AA Ireland have [...]
Nissan Juke hits Irish roads!
Cartell.ie understands that the new Nissan Juke – originally envisaged as a replacement for the Micra though Nissan have since decided to keep the Micra too - has already hit Irish roads: with 8 of them registered in the capital and 4 of them in the rest of the country. The Juke has been described as [...]
Latest edition of eDrive now online!
The latest edition of our Partner’s eDRIVE magazine is available to view online. As well as featuring some latest info from Cartell.ie – concerning our recent story about the NCTS collecting VRT – there are some other interesting pieces including: a preview of the first diesel electric hybrid to go on sale – the PSA [...]
Posted in Blog Leave a comment
Binary Day: computers and car technology
Today is Binary Day: the 10th October 2010: or put another way: 101010 and we’ve posted this message at 10:10 – just to emphasize the point – so really it’s 1010101010! (Though astute readers will see that the full code for today at this time is actually 101020101010)! Or for fans of the books of [...]
Posted in Blog Tagged air conditioning, binary day, car technology, computers, diesel engines, electric seats, engines, parking sensors, petrol engines 4 Comments
New VRT rules sees vehicle imports decline
New VRT rules sees Vehicle Imports decline to lowest level in three years Figures for September show a fall in imported vehicles to less than 3,000. This was the lowest number in three years and a decline of over fifty percent when compared with August (6,144). A spike was seen in August before the new [...]
Posted in Blog, News & Press, Trade News Tagged Cartell, Cartell.ie, imports, nct, Revenue, Statistics, VRT, write-off Leave a comment
Have the Irish embraced Telematic Technology?
Dennis Foy, who was one of the leading automotive technology experts, considered in 2003 the role which telematics can play in preventing clocking. As our readers know the “clocking” of a vehicle is when the mileage reading on the vehicle is altered, or manipulated, to display a lower reading than the actual miles travelled by [...]
Motorsports Update: Gary Thompson
Cartell.ie is delighted to see the continuing good progress of Irish racing car driver Gary Thompson. Gary recently scored another podium finish at the Japanese F3 Championship: a springboard for F1 drivers like Pedro de la Rosa and Adrian Sutil. In fact F3 lies just below GP2, Formula NIPPON, and F1 on the Formula pyramid. [...]
TRADE FOCUS: Michael Grant Motors, Santry
The Grant family has been in the motor trade for 35 years. Michael Grant moved the companies operation to its current location in Santry in 1999. Cartell.ie stopped by for a chat about trading conditions for this months Trade Focus. “Business is up on last year” says Michael “but things are still far from where [...]
International Motor Trade Fair- Frankfurt
Automechanika the leading international trade fair for the automotive industry closed in Frankfurt on Sunday. It is considered the global meeting place for the sector and record visitor numbers have been seen at the event in recent years: 161,000 visitors from 146 countries came to Frankfurt for the show in 2008. A major reason for [...]
Posted in Blog Tagged automechanika, cars, environment, frankfurt messe, green, industry, trade fair Leave a comment
NCT to collect VRT and carry out ‘Verification’ test for all imports
From September 1st, the collection of Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) will be the responsibility of Applus+, the Spanish based company currently administering the National Car Test (NCT). Therefore it will no longer be possible to register a vehicle at a Revenue Vehicle Registration Office (VRO).
Posted in Blog, News & Press, Trade News Tagged Applus+, Cartell.ie, Cloning, nct, Revenue, The AA, V5, VIC, VRC, VRO, VRT, write-off 2 Comments
Car Spoiler: Aerodynamics
The Aerodynamics of a Spoiler What is a spoiler for a car? A spoiler is a wing or aerofoil attached to the back of the vehicle which causes downforce, or increases drag, depending on the speed the vehicle is travelling. In the case of an airplane, the wing pushes the plane up or creates lift [...]
Posted in Blog Tagged abs plastic, aerodynamics, aerofoil, bernouilis principle, fiberglass, ford, mondeo, spoiler Leave a comment
Buses of the Future
Public Bus Transportation: Designs and Concepts In 1999 Dublin Bus introduced the “Bendy Bus”, 18m long, with capacity for 140 passengers – twice as many as the traditional double-decker. However the Chinese have gone one step further in terms of their public bus transportation. This is the new public bus service planned for Beijing later [...]
Posted in Blog Tagged china, dublin bus, future vehicles, london bus, red double decker Leave a comment
How Irish Garda Cars Compare
On Mondays Motormouth, Daragh, Jeff and Tony outlined the high speed vehicles deployed by police forces to enforce traffic legislation. A fantastic self explanatory blog entitled The Twelve Coolest Police Cars in Action highlights some seriously fast police cars that we can only dream of having over here. Number one on the list with a [...]
Posted in Blog Tagged cars, evo x, Garda, garda vehicles, Lexus, mercedes cls, mits, Motormouth, tune it safe 1 Comment
Lower VRT on ECO friendly cars
CompleteCar.ie’s Paddy Comyn and Shane O’ Donoghue are calling for the addition of an Eco VRT (Vehicle Registration Tax) rate of 10% and the removal of road tax on newer, lower-emission vehicles for a period of two years. They claim the existing VRT and motor tax band system fails to offer an incentive to buyers [...]
Posted in Blog, Trade News Tagged atv, CO2, commercial vehicles, department of transport, diesel, eco friendly, electric, emissions, hybrid, Motor Tax, petrol, selling price, simi, VRT 1 Comment
Motor Tax “Off The Road” self declaration to be replaced
If a person does not make a SORN or tax the vehicle, they could be stopped by the police. It is an automatic penalty of £80, as well as the requirement of paying for a new tax disc.
Posted in Blog, Trade News Tagged ANPR, DVLA, End of Life, Garda, irish times, Motor Tax, RF100, SORN Leave a comment
New Tolls, Levies and Penalties for Irish Car Drivers
The idea of putting more tolls on the M50, M1 and national roads is hard to believe. However, the VRT take was down a massive €700 million in 2009 when compared to 2008, a mere €375 million was taken in 2009. The money has to come from somewhere..
Car Clamping and Car Parking on Motormouth
In Ireland the local authority is responsible for creating bye-laws that list places in your town/city where parking fees will be imposed. It also decides the value of parking fees. Before making bye-laws that restrict parking, your local authority must consult with the Garda Commissioner and give public notice of its intention to make bye-laws [...]
Posted in Blog, Trade News Tagged boards.ie, Clamping, DVA, fine, fines, Motormouth, Parking 1 Comment
Cosworth, real men cars by Cartell’s Jeff Aherne
Last Monday on Motormouth we discussed the controversial topic of what defines a man’s car versus a woman’s car. Needless to say it stirred emotion. However just to ensure that my opinion is fully understood, here are a few cars that are driven by more men than women. Subaru Impreza CS400 STI Cosworth and Ford [...]
Peugeot 3008 test drive by Daragh O Tuama
I’m glad to say however that I’m impressed by what Peugeot have to offer at the moment.
Posted in Blog, Car Review, Trade News Tagged bhp, CO2, diesel, Motor Tax, Motormouth, Ncap, Peugeot, prices, Test Drive Leave a comment
Toyota Avensis test drive by Daragh O Tuama
For a long time now this car has been the taxi drivers favourite and it’s no surprise as to why. This car is a work horse that allows more miles than the average car. It’s spacious, comfortable and feels safe.
Posted in Blog, Car Review, Trade News Tagged CO2, diesel, Motor Tax, Motormouth, newstalk, prices, Test Drive, Toyota Leave a comment
Citroen C3 1.4 HDi test drive by Daragh O Tuama
Citroen C3 1.4 HDi Firstly, in comparison to the last C3 it’s a small bit longer, and just a little bit wider. What does that mean? Well, a little bit more leg room and a little more space and maybe even tighter handling. The C3 also has what’s called the visiodrive. What’s that? I hear [...]
Posted in Blog, Car Review, Trade News Tagged C3, Citroen, CO2, diesel, Motor Tax, Motormouth, newstalk, Test Drive Leave a comment
Cartell Extends Sympathy to Thomas Maguire’s Family and Donegal Motor Club
Cartell wishes to extend it’s sympathies to the family of Thomas Maguire of Longwood Co. Meath, who was killed on the 19th June 2010 at the Topaz Donegal Rally.
Posted in Blog Tagged Donegal Rally, Rally, Rally of the Lakes, Thomas Maguire, Tim McNulty, Topaz Donegal International Rally, WRC Leave a comment
Cartell.ie submits Bill to make Clocking Illegal
It is time that Ireland sends out a clear message that it will not allow its citizens be ripped off and put in harms way when laws can be passed to protect them. At present, the Gardai do not have sufficient powers to prosecute offenders.
Dublin City Council Extension of 30km/h Zones
Dublin City Council (DCC) wants to introduce 30km/h speed zones on the Long Mile Road, Sliabh Bloom Park and Chapelizod Road when children are entering and leaving schools. At all other times the limit will remain at 50km/h. Members of the public are being asked for their say and all of the proposals will be [...]
2010 RSA International Conference on Speeding
You note I said Safety Camera instead of Speed Cameras as every speaker on the day wanted to ensure that’s how we would look upon them and not as a money making exercise.
Posted in Blog Leave a comment
Irish vehicles offered for sale still on finance
Statistics published today by Cartell.ie indicate that buyers have a 1 in 4 chance of purchasing a two year old vehicle with finance outstanding. Unsurprisingly finance companies can and do repossess vehicles.
Posted in Blog, News & Press, Statistics, Trade News Tagged advice, Finance, repossess Leave a comment
Cartell.ie Dealer Alert from Irish Stolen Motor Vehicle Unit
Some of the stolen vehicles have been recovered in the possession of Motor Dealers. The cars are very professionally done and can fool most people.
Genuine Cartell.ie Discount Vouchers
Any person performing a car history check in Ireland must be made aware that only the AA, SIMI, and Cartell.ie have access to UK Finance systems to check the current finance status on UK vehicles.
Gerry Ryan Rest in Peace
I know you are a Jag fan but Ford just released the new Focus RS 500, and I hope that wherever you are, one of these is your chariot.
Posted in Blog Leave a comment
BMW Handles the style at Cartell.ie International Rally of the Lakes
I must admit that I felt a slight nervousness at the prospect of being driven on closed roads by a man who has owned a 325i and 335d within the past two years and has clocked at least one of them on the Autobahn.
Posted in Blog Tagged BMW, Cartell.ie, Killarney, m3, Rally, Rally of the Lakes, Tim McNulty, utv Leave a comment
Cartell.ie Diesel Rally Team sets the pace in Mondello
Recently the Leinster Branch of the RS owners club had a track day at Mondello Park International Racing Circuit. I joined the club as I am trying to get my hands on a 1992 Sapphire RS Cosworth. To make life even better Brian Dennis, a member of the club also brought his Rally spec Skoda [...]
Posted in Blog Tagged Cartell.ie, Compomotive, diesel, Killarney, Mintex Racing Pads, Mondello, mph, Proflex, Rally Leave a comment
Cartell.ie sponsors Rally of the Lakes 2010
In these gloomy economic times we are proud to sponsor an event which gives an economic boost to Killarney and the south west region.
Daragh O Tuama test drives the Mazda 6
The 2.2 is available in 3 different versions – a powerful one, a really powerful one, and an even more powerful one! I had the really powerful one...
Finance Write-Off and Clocking, Motormouth Legal Advice
If you have bought a vehicle with outstanding finance, the likelihood is that you will be notified by the bank or institution with the financial interest, that they are seeking the return of the vehicle or remuneration of the amount owed. Once the collections department of the finance house has confiscated the vehicle, it becomes much more difficult for you to regain control.
Daragh O Tuama test drives the Citroen C3
The C3 also has what’s called the visiodrive. What’s that? I hear you ask, well what it is is a panoramic view, and to a point I actually like it. It’s essentially a whole load of glass, which goes from the bottom of the front window to about half way up the roof. It really is a nice sight, which makes the C3 feel all the roomier.
Jeff Aherne discusses used car auctions on Motormouth
This article is a summary of Jeff's contribution to the Newstalk Motormouth show all about used car auctions which aired on Monday 22nd March 2010.
Male and Female Drivers – Who’s Worse?
There is an eternal debate it seems as to who is better at driving, men or women? To answer this burning question, it is necessary to investigate some of the research in existence. Men and Women think the same Ottawa University researchers and psychologists studied nearly 400 male and female drivers ranging from the youngest [...]
Posted in Blog Tagged boy racer, driver behaviour, penalty points, road accidents, women drivers 1 Comment
Cartell ask’s, “Where does our motor tax go?”
The Government collects revenue from drivers in multiple ways. VRT, Motor Tax, Insurance Levy, Fuel Excise (VAT), Tolls and Parking. Not surprisingly, and especially given the increased damage our roads suffered during the earlier part of 2010, most people want to know if the motor revenue collected is actually spent on improving their areas roads [...]
Posted in Blog Tagged AA, Cartell.ie, government, Motor Tax, National Roads Authority, VAT, VRT Leave a comment
Cartell.ie write-off information
Since its inception in 2002, one of Cartells primary goals was to eradicate the resale of dangerous vehicles. While some write-offs are repairable, one must always ensure that they are repaired by qualified personnel with suitable parts. An insurer writes off a vehicle when the cost to repair the vehicle to the correct standard using genuine [...]
Cartell Insurance Write-Off Categories
Category A The vehicle must be scrapped and no parts or components can be sold other than for scrap. Amounts vary but the scrap value rarely covers the cost of recovery and delivery to a scrap yard. Category A is severely damaged, total burnout or flood damage with no serviceable parts, or already a stripped [...]
Male drivers are rated above average but so are women
A study of four hundred drivers from Ottawa University showed that virtually all rated themselves as above average. Drivers had to rate their ability against an average motorist of the same sex in multiple driving scenarios and situations like rain for example. Middle aged men class themselves as most superior to all other male drivers. [...]
Traction Control Systems and Winter Driving
Well for those of you who don’t know I’m a VW Golf Nut although I’m partial to high end luxury cars but just haven’t gotten around to buying one. Well that’s my excuse anyway. Being an engineer however brings out the techno junky and the usual name calling associated with boring bar stewarts. So picture [...]
Bosch Start Stop Technology
Bosch is one of the largest automotive system suppliers in the world. They supply electrical, braking, injection systems and START-STOP technology. Bosch maintains that up to 50% of new cars by 2012 will have the technology fitted. It works by cutting the engine when the vehicle comes to a halt and starts again when the [...]
Posted in Blog Tagged Bosch, Cartell.ie, CO2, injection systems, mpg, regenerative braking, Rover, START-STOP technology, VW Leave a comment
Stolen vehicles recovered by Gardai in Balbriggan