Category Archives: Blog
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 by [...]
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 this year. [...]
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 top [...]
Posted in Blog Tagged cars, evo x, Garda, garda vehicles, Lexus, mercedes cls, mits, Motormouth, tune it safe Leave a 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 [...]
Also posted in Trade News Tagged atv, CO2, commercial vehicles, department of transport, diesel, eco friendly, electric, emissions, hybrid, Motor Tax, petrol, selling price, simi, VRT Leave a 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.
Also posted in 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 [...]
Also posted in Trade News Tagged boards.ie, Clamping, DVA, fine, fines, Motormouth, Parking Leave a 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 Focus [...]
Also posted in Car Review, Trade News Tagged 2.5, bhp, BMW, Cosworth, cs400, focus, ford, Motormouth, porsche, rs500, sierra, sti, tyres Comments closed
Cartell Sponsors Motormouth
I am delighted to announce Cartell is the proud sponsor of Motormouth on Newstalk once again.
Drive For Work
Whether you drive for work in your own vehicle or your employers vehicle it is your employers responsibility to ensure you know what to do should your vehicle breakdown, catch fire etc. There should be procedures and policies in place so that you know what to do to ensure you are safe at all times.
Posted in Blog Tagged Cartell, Drive For Work, Garda Checkpoint, penalty points, Road Safety Authority, Road Traffic Accident, Safety, Speed Fallacy 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.
Also posted in 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 [...]
Also posted in 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 [...]
Cork gets Ireland’s first Electric Sports Car
On the 20th April 2010, Cork registered its first Tesla Roadster – some say the electric sports car of the future. Costing a tidy €100,000, it’s the first wave of electric cars in the pipeline from American car producer Tesla. But for anyone who thinks electric cars are modest in terms of speed, think [...]
Also posted in News & Press, Trade News Tagged Cartell, Civic, Electric car, honda, Lexus, Peugeot, Prius, Roadster, Tesla, Toyota Leave a comment
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
Happy 4th Birthday Cartell
To celebrate we are offering a 30% discount, a Cartell Three Star Check normally costing 35 Euro can now be purchased for 24.50 using the voucher - a saving of over 10 Euro!
Posted in Blog Tagged Auto Trader, BMW, Car History Check, Carzone, HPI Check, National Mileage Register, NMR, written off Leave a comment
Honda Insight test drive by Daragh O Tuama
Honda Insight
In theory the Honda Insight is a very good car which has tapped into essential technology. Their IMA technology (Integrated Motor Assist), which was first introduced with the Honda Civic Hybrid, is very forward thinking. What this is is an electric motor which which gives added power to the car [...]
Also posted in Car Review, Trade News Tagged CO2, honda, hybrid, insight, Motor Tax, Motormouth, Ncap, newstalk, Test Drive Leave a comment
Opel Insignia test drive by Daragh O Tuama
Opel Insignia
“Opel has finally stood up and is starting to be counted”
This week I had the pleasure of test driving the 2009 European Car of the Year, the Opel Insignia. Of course being a family man I opted for the Elite 1.6i Turbo Sports Tourer version, a beast in sheep’s clothing.
When I first [...]
Also posted in Car Review, Trade News Tagged CO2, insignia, Motormouth, newstalk, opel, petrol, Test Drive, tourer, turbo Leave a comment
Mazda 6 MZR CD test drive by Daragh O Tuama
Mazda6 MZR-CD 2.2-litre Turbo Diesel
For years Mazda was a member of our family. It was there when I got home from school, when I grazed my leg and when I used to come home after a few beers. Our homestead saw many generations of Mazda come and go. My dad’s first Mazda [...]
Also posted in Car Review, Trade News Tagged CO2, diesel, Mazda, Motor Tax, Motormouth, Ncap, newstalk, prices, Test Drive, turbo Leave a comment
Alfa Romeo Mito test drive by Daragh O Tuama
Alfa Romeo Mito
I’ve always been a fan of Top Gear, and as a fan of Top Gear I’ve always wanted to own an Alfa Romeo……I mean I know they haven’t exactly got a name as being the most reliable car in the world, I know they don’t deliver excellence in the handling department, but they [...]
Also posted in Car Review, Trade News Tagged alfa romeo, CO2, fiat, Motor Tax, Motormouth, Ncap, newstalk, petrol, prices, Test Drive 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.
Also posted in News & Press, Statistics, Trade News Tagged advice, Finance, repossess Leave a comment
UTV schedule for RPM Motorsport Cartell.ie Rally of the Lakes
UTV have re-scheduled the broadcast of the Cartell.ie international Rally of the Lakes. Tyndall productions have released this statement
Due to circumstances outside RPM’s and UTV’s control the two programmes covering the Cartell.ie Rally of the Lakes have had to be re-scheduled. Tyndall Productions regret to announce that their programmes on the recent Cartell.ie [...]
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.
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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
Finish of the Cartell.ie International Rally of the Lakes
After the Circuit of Ireland crash I came to Killarney with the strict instructions to take it nice and easy and bring the car home...
Breaking News, Day Two – Cartell.ie Killarney International Rally of the Lakes
Update 15:16 – One Stage Remaining
There’s more movement in the Cartell.ie Killarney International Rally Aaron Machale has leaped frogged Alastair Fisher into 2nd place and with only 1.1 seconds between them it comes down to judgement time do they settle for the positions their in, or push on to claim 2nd spot. This has its [...]
Day two of the Cartell.ie Killarney International Rally of the Lakes
After the heavy rain, thunder shower and strong winds on Saturday’s stages, the weather forecast for today Sunday is cloudy with sunny spells, this will be a great relief to all the drivers and the hundreds of marshals manning the stages.
End of day one of the Cartell.ie International Rally of the Lakes
Tim McNulty has won his 1st Trophy of the weekend when he claimed the Bertie Fisher memorial Trophy for the fastest time up the Gap.
BMW supply course car for the Cartell Rally of the Lakes
The car, a silver BMW 318d M Sport, is not just a sleek eye catching road machine but comes with the BMW performance pack installed.
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 to [...]
Posted in Blog Tagged boy racer, driver behaviour, penalty points, road accidents, women drivers Leave a 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 [...]
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 an [...]
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
NCT to collect VRT and carry out ‘Verification’ test for all imports