The Motoring Expert

Dealing with the dealers: Second hand car buying advice
![]()
In our latest Motoring Expert piece, Mark Connolly of Premier Motor Group gives some shrewd advice to anyone who might not be experienced at dealing with the dealers.
Hi Mark,
I’m looking to buy a new (used) car. Is there anyway of being sure I’m not being sold a heap of junk? I don’t know an awful lot about cars, I don’t have any mechanic friends who could come with me for a viewing. I get a bit daunted visiting car show-rooms and I’m afraid I could be swindled.
Peter O’Toole, Dun Laoghaire.
Hi Peter,
I guess you have to have an element of trust when you're going car shopping. The only thing I would say is that you can’t really go too far wrong if you deal with a reputable garage.
You should be dealing with a SIMI-approved dealer, though, given that we are bound by very strict guidelines as to the quality of stock, finance agreements, warranties and car history, etc.
You will be given a warranty in case something does go wrong so don’t be too worried about that end of things.
It doesn't have to be daunting – it should be exciting!!!
Give me a bell on 01-4568000 if you want to run through any concerns you have.
All the best,
Mark
Have you got a motoring-related question you'd like answered? Email us at asktheexpert@joe.ie and we'll try to help you out.
Premier Motor Group is Ireland's leading fleet management, car leasing and car sales company, founded in 2003 and based in Ballymount, Dublin 12. For more details, click on www.premiermotorgroup.ie or give the lads a call at 01 456 8000.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056198864
and also be careful as to what the warranty covers as I found out earlier in the year to my expense some SIMI registered cowboy outfits will only offer an engine and gearbox warranty which is not worth the paper it is written on!!