We need to protect consumers from dangerous used cars
- Labour backs CCPC call for public car history portal
Labour’s Enterprise, Tourism and Employment spokesperson George Lawlor TD has backed the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s (CCPC) call for an online portal that would give used car buyers free access to essential vehicle history information, including write-off status and mileage readings. Deputy Lawlor said this long-overdue measure would protect consumers and improve road safety by reducing the number of dangerous, clocked, or poorly repaired cars on Irish roads.
Deputy Lawlor said:
“For too long, used car buyers in Ireland have been left in the dark when making one of the biggest purchases of their lives. Before buying a car, consumers must have access to crucial details about mileage, past accidents, safety recalls, and import status. This information is already collected by the State, yet it is either inaccessible or only available for a fee through private companies.
“The CCPC report makes it clear—Irish consumers are being short-changed. Many people don’t even know these commercial services exist, leaving them vulnerable to buying unsafe or misrepresented vehicles. Meanwhile, twenty EU member states, including Belgium, Estonia, and Poland, already provide public access to car histories. The UK, New Zealand, and Australia have also recognised the importance of transparency in the used car market. Ireland is lagging behind, and that must change.
“A public car history portal would be a game-changer in tackling fraud and ensuring Irish roads are safer for all. It’s time for a consumer-first approach that puts safety and fairness ahead of private profit.
“This is a simple, common-sense reform that would protect consumers and improve road safety. Labour is calling on the Government to stop dragging its heels and act now to ensure that every used car buyer in Ireland has free access to the information they need to make safe, informed choices.”