Vehicle news
21/10/2011
Car insurance holders may find the NCA's guide helpful
The National Consumer Agency (NCA), a statutory body established by the Irish Government, has published a helpful guide for people in the market for car insurance buying a second-hand vehicle.
After receiving around 1,900 questions about used cars in the first eight months of this year alone, the NCA has made a list which directs road users on what to look for when purchasing a second-hand car and provides information about buyers and sellers liability.
Furthermore, the guide helps road users to understand the financial aspects of buying a used car.
The organisation's director of commercial practises, John Shine, states, "It is easy to get caught up in the excitement of buying a car but it is worth doing some background checks before you buy, particularly if you are buying from a private seller. In general, if you are buying a car from a dealer consumer law protects you."
If a motorist does not thoroughly check a vehicle's background, finding a good car insurance quote may be the last of their problems upon buying the car.
John Shine explains, "Issues arising from the purchase of second-hand cars continues to be one of the main topics consumers contact us about. Consumers can be hugely out of pocket if they buy a car and something goes wrong.
"If you are thinking about buying a second-hand car it is particularly important to check it does not have any finance outstanding on it. You can pay a nominal fee to some websites and they will run this check for you. If you do buy a car, which is still under a finance agreement, you run the risk of having the car repossessed and losing your money."
Although the NCA is an Irish organisation which states that its aims are "to defend consumer interests and to embed a robust consumer culture in Ireland," the online second-hand car guide may be useful to anyone with car insurance in Britain who is looking to replace their current vehicle.