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Categories Buying or selling a vehicle usually involves more money, more paperwork and more risk than a typical marketplace transaction. Before making a payment, handing over a vehicle or sharing important documents, take time to check the vehicle, the other party and the ownership transfer process carefully.
When buying from a private seller, ask to see the Vehicle Registration Certificate (VRC / logbook).
Check that:
If anything does not match, do not rush into the purchase.
Before buying a used vehicle, especially a higher-value one, consider carrying out an independent vehicle history check.
A history check may help identify issues such as:
If the vehicle was imported, consider checking its previous history outside Ireland where possible.
Important
Do not use an unfamiliar vehicle-history website simply because the seller sends you a link. Choose a service yourself and visit its official website directly.
Before buying, make sure the vehicle is not still subject to:
A vehicle with outstanding finance can create serious problems for the buyer. Do not assume that possession of the vehicle automatically means the seller owns it outright.
A valid NCT is useful information, but it does not mean that the vehicle is in perfect mechanical condition.
An NCT does not replace:
A vehicle may have a valid NCT and still require repairs or maintenance.
For a higher-value used vehicle, consider asking a:
to inspect the vehicle before you buy it. This is especially important if you are not confident assessing the vehicle yourself. A history check cannot identify every possible mechanical problem.
Before buying, check the relevant documents carefully, including where applicable:
Make sure the documents relate to the exact vehicle you are viewing. Be cautious if documents are missing, inconsistent or appear unusual.
Before agreeing to buy:
A test drive should only take place where the driver is legally entitled and properly insured to drive the vehicle.
Take extra care if:
For a vehicle purchase, a safer approach is:
check the vehicle → check the documents → check the seller → check the history → confirm you are satisfied → then complete payment.
Your rights can differ depending on who is selling the vehicle.
If you buy from a Business / Dealer, consumer protection rules may apply.
If you buy directly from a Private Seller, the same consumer protections may not apply in the same way.
When buying privately, it is particularly important to carry out your own checks before completing the transaction.
After buying a vehicle, make sure the change of ownership is completed through the official Irish process.
Do not leave ownership transfer unresolved after the vehicle and money have changed hands.
Use official Irish government services and follow the current Change of Vehicle Ownership procedure.
Take extra care if a buyer:
With a high-value item such as a vehicle, unusually quick agreement can be a reason to slow down and check the situation carefully.
A buyer may say something like:
“I’m interested in the car, but first I need you to buy a history report from this website.”
They may then send you a link to an unfamiliar service and insist that you pay for the report.
Do not enter card or banking information on an unknown website simply because a potential buyer tells you to use it.
If you choose to purchase a vehicle history report, use a service that you have selected and verified yourself.
Before handing over the vehicle:
Because vehicles can involve significant sums of money, always verify payment independently.
Until payment and ownership transfer arrangements are properly confirmed, do not unnecessarily hand over:
A buyer should not gain control of the vehicle based only on a screenshot, promise or pending payment.
A genuine buyer may reasonably want to inspect and test-drive the vehicle, but sellers should also protect themselves.
Consider the following:
A genuine buyer may need to know where the vehicle can be viewed, and they may also need enough information to carry out legitimate checks.
However, do not share more personal information than necessary too early in the transaction.
Be careful when sharing:
The aim is not to hide legitimate vehicle information, but to control what you share, with whom and at what stage of the sale.
Once the sale is completed, make sure the vehicle ownership transfer is processed through the official Irish system.
Do not delay the ownership change after the vehicle has already been handed over. The official record should reflect the correct owner as soon as possible.
Stop and check the situation carefully if a normal sale suddenly involves:
If the transaction becomes much more complicated than a normal vehicle sale should be, slow down and verify everything before continuing.
If a vehicle listing, buyer, seller or proposed transaction seems suspicious, use EirFair’s support and reporting options.
Use this for suspected fake buyers or sellers, suspicious payment requests, vehicle-history scams, fake courier schemes, phishing or other suspicious behaviour.
Use this when your concern relates to a specific vehicle listing.
Use this if you believe specific content on EirFair is illegal.
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