Almost one in seven respondents to a Toyota Ireland survey said they'd had a bad experience when buying a used car from a private seller, writes Brian Byrne. That said, 80 per cent of Irish motorists who bought a used car were likelier to buy from a dealer.
Of those reporting bad experiences, 71 per cent said they had discovered mechanical issues shortly after purchase.
Most of those buying from dealerships said they had greater peace of mind by doing so.
More than four in ten drivers said they bought used because they couldn't afford to buy new.
