CCPC calls for public access to used-car histories

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has launched a new report advocating for an online portal that would grant second-hand car buyers free access to essential car history information, including write-off status and mileage readings.

According to the CCPC, allowing consumers to more easily access this information would help limit the number of dangerous, clocked, or poorly repaired cars on Irish roads.

It said that before buying a used car, consumers must have access to important information about a car’s mileage, past accidents, safety recalls, and import status.

Currently, much of this information is collected by the State but is either inaccessible or available only for a fee from commercial car-history providers.

These providers get information from the Department of Transport to create reports. However, many consumers do not know about these services, the CCPC said.

It added that even when consumers do buy these reports, the information may not always be reliable, because car-history providers often have to get details on crash history and mileage from private sources, which might not always be accurate.

This means that many consumers might still depend on the seller for information.

The CCPC also found that Ireland compares poorly with other countries for disclosure of information on used cars.

Twenty other EU member states, including Belgium, Estonia and Poland, offer public access to car histories, with the UK, New Zealand and Australia also giving consumers access to essential car history information.

In 2024, the CCPC said it received 3,192 contacts to its national consumer helpline specifically concerning issues related to second-hand cars.

These contacts related to issues including clocked cars, previously crashed cars, excessive repair/resolution times, and recurring faults after repair.

Other consumers reported issues with misleading advertising and mis-selling.

The Department of Transport has said it will review the CPCC report and consider any matters relevant to it in due course.

Brian McHugh, chair of the CCPC said: “The State can and must close the knowledge gap for consumers.Thousands of consumers contact the CCPC helpline every year when things go wrong with second-hand cars.

“CCPC officers carry out regular investigations, inspections and enforcement action, but arming consumers with information is the most efficient and cost-effective way to help safeguard every second-hand car sale in the country.

“What’s more, sharing car history with buyers will protect all road users, helping to keep dangerous cars off Irish roads. It is in the public interest to have an open, free and accessible State database of essential car history information.

“Much of this information is already collected by the State. Some of that is made available to traders and car history providers, but not directly to consumers. We also know that information available from car history providers can be incomplete. Consumers deserve better.

“We need the State to capture key car history information and share it with consumers for free. A car is one of the most expensive purchases a consumer will ever make, and buyers need accurate information so they can get value for money and a safe and reliable vehicle for them and their family.”