Buying Advice

Websites

Sites that offer free vehicle listings can contain a higher proportion of stolen vehicles than those that charge a fee. Always employ extreme caution if vehicle pictures show the registration plate obscured or blanked out. Always ask why the registration number has been hidden and check on Cartell.ie (using the free identity check) to see if the registration given matches the description.

Registration Certificate

Always check all vehicle paperwork thoroughly before proceeding with a purchase. Does the engine number on the vehicle match the entry on the certificate? Cross-reference the model, colour and year of registration with the certificate. Is the name and address of the current vendor the same as the details on the certificate? Ensure the appropriate sections of the certificate are completed before completing the purchase of the vehicle.

Chassis Number

Check that the Chassis Number (usually a 17 digits) on the vehicle matches the Chassis Number on the Registration Certificate. The Chassis Number is a unique number given to a vehicle by the manufacturer. It can be found at several locations throughout the vehicle, usually on the windscreen, engine bay or drivers door near the door lock. If the Chassis Number is absent or damaged exercise extreme caution as this could mean the vehicle is stolen.

Keys

How many keys are available for the vehicle? There are usually two or three. Do all keys open all doors?

Mileage

Use the odometer readings on past NCT certificates and service history to verify that the mileage on the odometer is roughly consistent with what you would expect it to be.

Service Details

If a vehicle is offered for sale without a service book you should assume that the vehicle has a poor service history and has a greater chance of being clocked. If there are a lot of service receipts this may be indicative of persistent problems with the vehicle. If there are no receipts at all, act with caution as it will be difficult to resell the vehicle without any receipts.

Location

When buying a vehicle via a private advert ensure you identify the vendor. Beware of a mobile phone contact number. Is it traceable? If possible, see the vehicle in daylight. Never meet a vendor at your home. Always meet a vendor at his/her home.

Payment

When paying for the vehicle pay using a personal cheque or bank draft as it is safer. Never pay by cash. Ensure that you get a signed receipt.

Bodywork

As a reasonable amount of second hand vehicles would have received some form of body repair always ask the vendor if the vehicle was crashed. If the vehicle has had an accident ask for details of the accident and repair on the invoice should you decide to proceed with the purchase.

Forged Documents

Compare the Registration Certificate number and NCT Certificate number to a Cartell car history report to check the documents have not been modified or forged.

Outstanding Finance

Outstanding finance is the biggest risk facing used car buyers, with 15% of all cars checked by Cartell still subject to a finance agreement. If the outstanding finance remains unpaid when you purchase the vehicle, you may not acquire title to it. Carry out a Cartell Three Star car history check. You will receive the relevant history and information to show if there are such problems.

Professional Assistance

The best advice when buying a vehicle is to seek professional assistance. Cartell’s Four Star Automotive Engineer Inspection includes a short road test and external visual inspection. The road test can determine if there are any apparent and immediate difficulties with the vehicle. The external visual inspection can confirm that the vehicle is in a reasonable condition or if there is any evidence of body repair.

Get a Cartell Car History Check

Use the information supplied in a Cartell car history check to verify the vehicle and vehicle documentation before you proceed with the purchase. Match the Registration Certificate Number, Chassis Number and NCT Certificate Number and avoid a stolen or cloned vehicle.

A Cartell car history check can be used as a tool to help avoid purchasing a vehicle with an undesirable history. It is imperative to check and cross reference all details on the car history check with the vehicle documentation. For full Chassis Number, Registration Certificate and NCT Certificate verification you can enter the details at the time of report purchase. However, Cartell is aware this is not always viable when first looking at a vehicle so for convenience log back into the Update Report area on Cartell.ie within 30 days after the date of report purchase and enter the details using the Report Number and Vehicle Registration Number.