If you buy a used car from a dealer in Ireland, you are protected by the Consumer Rights Act 2022: it must be as described, and its quality should reflect the price you paid. If faulty, you can ask for a repair, replacement or refund. Buy from a private individual and you do not have the same consumer rights.
Direct answer updated 2 November 2026. Earlier guide updated 2 November 2026.
Primary sources: CCPC: buying a car · Citizens Information: problem with a used car
Last checked against CCPC and Citizens Information: 2 November 2026.
General information, not legal advice. This guide summarises official consumer guidance for buyers in Ireland. For your own situation, read the linked official sources or take independent legal advice.
Your rights when you buy from a dealer
When you buy a car from a dealer, the sale is covered by the Consumer Rights Act 2022 (CCPC: buying a car).
A used car bought from a business carries similar rights to buying a new item. You cannot expect it to be as good as new, but its quality should reflect the price you paid. These rights do not cover a fault, including wear and tear, that was pointed out to you before you bought (CCPC: buying second-hand goods).
Repair, replacement or refund
If a used car from a dealer or garage turns out to be faulty, you can ask for a free repair, a replacement part or a car of similar quality or value, or a full refund or a partial refund with a deduction for the use you have had (Citizens Information: problem with a used car).
The 30-day short-term right to reject
If the car is faulty and you received it less than 30 days ago, you can cancel the contract and get a refund. You must tell the business before the 30 days end (CCPC: your rights when buying goods).
When you can end the contract later
After that, you have a final right to end the contract if the dealer can’t or won’t repair or replace the car, or if the fault is serious enough to justify ending it (CCPC: your rights when buying goods).
Faults that show up within 12 months
If a fault becomes apparent within 12 months of the relevant time in the Act (generally when the car was delivered to you), it is presumed to have been there at that time. That presumption does not apply if the contrary is proved, or if it is incompatible with the nature of the car or the fault (Consumer Rights Act 2022, section 22).
Warranties are extra, not a replacement
A warranty or guarantee from the dealer gives you extra protection. It does not replace your statutory rights to a repair, replacement or refund (Citizens Information: problem with a used car; CCPC: guarantees and warranties).
Your rights when you buy from a private seller
If you buy from a private individual, you do not have the same consumer rights as when you buy from a dealer (CCPC: buying a car). Buying from another consumer is ‘buyer beware’ (CCPC: buying second-hand goods).
A private seller has no legal duty to give you information you have not asked for, so ask directly about the car’s history, faults and finance (Citizens Information: buying a used car). Motorly tip: ask your questions by message or email so you keep a written record of the answers.
Before you pay a deposit or meet a seller, read how to avoid used car scams.
Dealers posing as private sellers
A trader who fails to disclose that they are selling a car as part of a business is breaking the law (CCPC: buying a car).
Motorly guidance, not law: these signs are worth asking about before you go further.
- The same seller has several cars listed for sale.
- The name on the Vehicle Registration Certificate (VRC) does not match the seller or their ID.
- The seller will not give you a receipt with their name and address.
What ‘sold as seen’ means
At an auction, a car is usually sold as seen. It is up to you to inspect it before you bid, you do not have the same rights, and you should check the auction’s conditions of sale first (Citizens Information: problem with a used car).
A dealer’s ‘sold as seen’ notice cannot lawfully remove your statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2022. Section 7 of the Act makes it an offence for a trader to display or publish a statement indicating that those rights are restricted or excluded, other than as the Act allows (Consumer Rights Act 2022, section 7). A fault the dealer pointed out to you before you bought is still not covered (CCPC: buying second-hand goods).
Dealer vs private seller at a glance
| Dealer | Private seller | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Compare asking prices for similar cars with the Motorly price checker. | Compare asking prices for similar cars. |
| Legal protection | Consumer Rights Act 2022 (CCPC) | Not the same consumer rights; buyer beware (CCPC) |
| Warranty | Any warranty or guarantee is extra and does not replace your statutory rights (Citizens Information) | You do not have the same consumer rights, so ask what the seller will confirm in writing (CCPC) |
| Paperwork | VRC, NCT certificate and receipt; dealer sales are registered with form RF105 or an approved dealer’s online service (Citizens Information) | VRC name should match the seller’s ID (CCPC); NCT certificate; the change of ownership must be registered, and private owners can do it online (Citizens Information; gov.ie) |
| If it goes wrong | Repair, replacement or refund (Citizens Information); 30-day short-term right to reject (CCPC) | Fewer rights: consumer law covers sales by a trader, not sales between private individuals (CCPC) |
Checks that matter whichever seller you choose
Outstanding finance and history
If the car still has outstanding finance, you could be liable for the outstanding amount and the car could be repossessed, even if you have already paid the seller (CCPC: buying a car). Ask whether the car was bought on hire purchase or PCP and confirm the final payments have been made (Citizens Information: buying a used car).
Run the free Motorly vehicle check and the VIN check before you view, and get a separate vehicle-history check that covers finance. If you are comparing ways to pay, see HP vs PCP explained.
NCT certificate and mileage
The NCT certificate shows the mileage recorded at the most recent test and at the three tests before it (CCPC: buying a car). You can check that a certificate is valid on the NCTS website. See how to spot a clocked car and what the NCT checks.
VRC and change of ownership
The name on the Vehicle Registration Certificate (VRC) should match the seller, and you should ask for ID if you are buying privately (CCPC: buying a car).
The change of ownership must be registered with the Department of Transport. Private owners can do this online; dealer sales use form RF105 or an approved dealer’s online service (Citizens Information: change of ownership; Department of Transport: online ownership transfer).
Independent inspection
Get the car independently checked by a mechanic or automotive engineer before you buy (CCPC: buying a car).
Service records
Motorly tip: ask for the service history and match its dates and mileages against the NCT readings. Gaps, or a mileage that goes down between records, are reasons to ask more questions or walk away.
If something goes wrong
If you bought from a dealer, the CCPC suggests these steps (CCPC: buying a car):
- Contact the business and explain the problem.
- Keep records: the receipt, the advert, messages and any repair quotes.
- Send the business a formal complaint.
- Ask your card provider for a chargeback, where it applies.
- Use the Small Claims procedure for claims of €2,000 or less (Courts Service: Small Claims).
- Report the trader to the CCPC.
If you bought privately, you do not have the same consumer rights (CCPC: buying a car), so the checks above matter most before you pay.
Find your next car
Ready to start looking? Browse used cars for sale in Ireland and run the checks above on every car you shortlist.
Last checked against CCPC and Citizens Information: 2 November 2026. General information, not legal advice.