Cartell.ie Supports CCPC’s Call for Greater Transparency in the Used Car Market

This week, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) made headlines with its recommendation for a publicly accessible online portal to provide essential vehicle history information to consumers. The CCPC’s proposal aims to improve transparency in the used car market, allowing buyers to access key data such as mileage records, accident history, and safety recalls before purchasing a vehicle.

Currently, while some of this information is collected by the State, much of it remains either unavailable to the public or accessible only through commercial vehicle history providers. The CCPC argues that making this data freely available would align Ireland with international best practices and reduce the risk of consumers unknowingly purchasing unsafe or compromised vehicles.

Cartell.ie Welcomes the CCPC’s Findings

Cartell.ie, Ireland’s leading vehicle history check provider, has responded to the CCPC’s report by reaffirming its commitment to consumer protection and transparency. The company has long advocated for improved data sharing across the automotive industry to protect buyers from hidden risks.

“The CCPC’s findings reaffirm the importance of transparency in the used car market,” said Ger Toher, Chief Operating Officer at Cartell.ie. “We have always championed consumers' right to clear, accurate, and comprehensive vehicle history information. Greater access to critical data, especially write-off records, will help ensure buyers are protected from hidden risks. Our commitment remains to provide the most reliable vehicle history insights, empowering motorists to purchase with confidence and trust.”

The Role of Cartell.ie in Vehicle History Transparency

For nearly two decades, Cartell.ie has been at the forefront of vehicle history reporting in Ireland. The company provides a wealth of data to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions, including:

• Write-off history – Damage severity and category classification where available.
• Outstanding finance – Ensuring vehicles are free from financial encumbrance.
• Mileage verification – Detecting odometer fraud.
• Ownership history – Checking the number of previous owners.
• Import and registration history – Identifying cross-border risks.
• Taxi or fleet usage – Highlighting vehicles that may have high mileage or wear.
• CO2 emissions and road tax information – Helping buyers understand running costs.
• NCT history verification – Confirming past NCT test dates and certificate legitimacy. While specific test results or pass/fail status are not disclosed, this verification provides added confidence for buyers. For UK vehicles and imports, full MOT history, including test results, is available.
• Insurance claims and stolen vehicle records – Offering insights into past insurance claims and theft status where available. While stolen vehicle checks apply to UK reports, the depth of claim history depends on insurer submissions.

In addition to consumer-focused services, Cartell.ie offers trade sellers on its sister platforms, Carzone.ie and CarsIreland.ie, a free vehicle history check for every ad placed. This ensures that potential buyers have access to crucial information when browsing listings.

Addressing Misconceptions About Vehicle Data Access

Amid the discussion surrounding the CCPC’s recommendations, some confusion has arisen regarding the availability of vehicle history data. A common misconception is that all necessary information is already held by the government and that companies like Cartell.ie withhold it for profit. However, this is not the case. Cartell.ie has invested significantly in initiatives such as the Motor Insurance Anti-Fraud and Theft Register (MIAFTR Ireland), which collaborates with UK partners to provide comprehensive data on vehicle write-offs and stolen-recovered vehicles.

Furthermore, while Cartell.ie supports greater transparency, it stresses the need for collaboration between industry stakeholders and government agencies to implement an effective system. The company continues to advocate for broader access to vital vehicle history data, particularly category C and D write-off records, to enhance consumer protection.

A Collaborative Approach to Data Transparency

Cartell.ie believes that improving vehicle history transparency requires a joint effort between industry experts and regulatory bodies. The company welcomes the opportunity to engage further with the CCPC, the Department of Transport, and other stakeholders to ensure a practical and effective solution that benefits all consumers.

By working together, the government and industry can create a safer, more transparent used car market in Ireland - one where consumers have access to the information they need to make confident and informed purchasing decisions.