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History checks help tackle problem of dodgy imports

Sunday Independent, Sunday, 15th February 2009

While the debate as to where the best value in the car market is to be found continues, what is of paramount importance when considering buying a vehicle is its history.

SIMI and Experian, the global information services company and providers of the Car History Check service in Ireland, have released the findings of a survey it carried out on over 103,000 UK imports registered in Ireland between 2005 and 2008.

The results of the survey are alarming; 21 per cent of vehicles had either a problem with finance, been previously damaged, written off or stolen in the UK, or had a combination of these factors. Furthermore, the survey by SIMI and Experian revealed that 18.1 per cent had been clocked. Between September and December 2008, 11 per cent of vehicles imported from the UK and checked through the Car History Check facility still had outstanding finance.

Emma Byrne, car history check manager at SIMI, said: "Requesting an in-depth certified vehicle history is common practice when purchasing a vehicle in the UK.

"While every consumer is shopping around for the best value in their used-car purchase, it is important to investigate the vehicle fully, because in many cases you often have little recourse and can be left out of pocket, or worse, risk your safety and that of your passengers."

Following the high number of UK imports to Ireland in the past five years, SIMI and Experian are offering a Car History Check to facilitate greater transparency and prevent the introduction of unsafe vehicles on our roads.

A full Car History Check Certificate can now be requested by many SIMI member dealers on cars sold at their dealership, whether they are Irish or imported vehicles.