Warranty & Vehicle Protection

Confidence After Your Purchase

At The Irish Repo Auction, we understand that buying a used or repossessed vehicle is an important decision. Our aim is to provide customers with clear information about each vehicle and a straightforward process from auction through to purchase and collection.

Every vehicle is sold according to the information, condition and terms stated in its individual auction listing. Customers are encouraged to carefully review the vehicle description, photographs and available information before placing a bid.

Where the vehicle is eligible for inspection after the auction, the successful bidder is provided with the applicable inspection opportunity before the purchase is completed.

Our auction terms and this policy are designed to explain the difference between the condition of an auction vehicle, any specific warranty that may be offered with a vehicle, and the consumer rights that may apply to a purchase from a business under Irish law.

Vehicle Condition & Auction Sales

Vehicles offered through The Irish Repo Auction may be used, repossessed or previously owned vehicles and can vary considerably in age, mileage, history and condition.

A vehicle may have normal signs of previous use, including cosmetic marks, wear, mechanical wear and other age-related conditions.

The information provided in an auction listing is intended to give customers a reasonable understanding of the vehicle being offered. Customers should carefully consider all available information before bidding.

Where a defect, damage or condition is known and included in the auction description, customers should take that information into account when deciding whether and how much to bid.

Customers are encouraged to obtain independent professional advice where they are unsure about a vehicle’s mechanical or physical condition.

24-Hour Post-Winning Inspection

After winning an auction, the successful bidder must first complete the required down payment before the vehicle is released for the inspection process.

Once the required down payment has been received and confirmed, the customer is given a 24-hour inspection period.

During this period, the customer may inspect the vehicle and, where desired, arrange for a qualified mechanic or independent automotive professional to examine it.

The inspection is intended to allow the customer to check that the vehicle is substantially consistent with the description and condition stated in the auction listing.

We strongly recommend that customers who are not experienced with vehicles use a qualified mechanic to carry out the inspection.

The inspection may include the engine, transmission, brakes, suspension, steering, electrical systems, tyres, bodywork, interior and other relevant components.

What the Inspection Is For

The 24-hour inspection provides the successful bidder with an opportunity to satisfy themselves about the vehicle before the purchase is completed.

Customers should compare the physical vehicle with the information supplied in the auction listing and raise any material concern as soon as it is identified.

The inspection should be used to identify significant discrepancies between the vehicle and its advertised description.

It is not intended to guarantee that a used vehicle will be free from every defect, wear item or future mechanical problem.

Used and repossessed vehicles can require maintenance or repair, and their condition should always be assessed in light of their age, mileage, history and auction description.

If a Significant Issue Is Discovered

If a customer identifies a significant issue during the inspection that appears to materially conflict with the vehicle’s advertised description, they should contact The Irish Repo Auction immediately.

We may request photographs, an independent mechanic’s report or other evidence to help assess the concern.

Where a vehicle does not correspond with its contractual description or applicable legal requirements, the customer’s rights and any available remedy will be considered in accordance with the applicable terms and Irish law.

Customers should not undertake major repairs, modifications or alterations to the vehicle before reporting a material concern to us.

Warranty Coverage

Not every auction vehicle is sold with an additional commercial warranty.

Where a particular vehicle is supplied with an additional warranty, the listing or purchase documentation will state the applicable warranty terms, duration, coverage and any relevant conditions.

A vehicle-specific warranty may cover particular mechanical or electrical components for a specified period or mileage. The exact coverage will depend on the warranty attached to that vehicle.

Customers should read the warranty documentation carefully before relying on any additional warranty protection.

An additional warranty does not replace or remove statutory consumer rights that may apply to the purchase.

What an Additional Warranty May Cover

Where an additional warranty is specifically offered with a vehicle, the applicable documentation will identify the covered components.

Depending on the particular warranty, coverage may include certain mechanical or electrical components such as:

• Engine components
• Transmission components
• Cooling systems
• Fuel systems
• Electrical components
• Starting and charging systems
• Steering components
• Suspension components
• Other specifically listed mechanical or electrical components

This list is illustrative only. Customers should rely on the specific warranty document supplied with the vehicle rather than assuming that every component is covered.

What May Not Be Covered

Unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable warranty, additional warranty protection will generally not cover:

• Normal wear and tear
• Routine servicing and maintenance
• Consumable items
• Tyres
• Brake wear items
• Damage caused by accidents
• Damage caused by misuse or negligence
• Damage caused by modifications or unauthorised repairs
• Faults resulting from failure to maintain the vehicle properly
• Damage occurring after the vehicle has been purchased and released
• Problems specifically disclosed in the auction listing
• Items specifically excluded by the vehicle’s warranty documentation

The exact exclusions will depend on the warranty applicable to the individual vehicle.

Your Consumer Rights

An additional warranty is separate from your statutory consumer rights.

Where a vehicle is purchased from a business, Irish consumer protection law may provide rights where the vehicle is not as described, is not fit for purpose, is not of satisfactory quality or does not otherwise meet the legal requirements applicable to the sale.

The CCPC explains that consumer rights can apply to both new and second-hand vehicles purchased from a business, taking into account factors such as the vehicle’s age, mileage and price.

A warranty therefore should not be understood as limiting rights that cannot legally be excluded.

Faults Discovered After Purchase

If you discover a fault after purchasing a vehicle, contact The Irish Repo Auction as soon as reasonably possible.

Please provide:

• Your purchase information
• Vehicle registration or auction reference
• A description of the problem
• Photographs or videos where useful
• Any relevant mechanic or diagnostic report
• Details of when the problem was first noticed

We may ask for additional information or arrange an inspection to establish the nature and cause of the issue.

Customers should keep all relevant purchase documents, correspondence, inspection reports and repair records.

Repairs and Authorisation

Where a warranty claim or other vehicle-related issue requires repair, customers should contact us before authorising significant repair work where reasonably possible.

Depending on the circumstances, we may require an inspection or diagnostic assessment before approving repair work.

Unauthorised repairs may affect an additional warranty claim where the warranty terms require prior approval.

Nothing in this process is intended to remove any statutory rights that apply under Irish law.

Normal Wear and Tear

Used vehicles naturally experience wear over time.

Items such as tyres, brakes, clutch components, batteries, bulbs, suspension components and other consumable or wear-related parts may require replacement depending on the vehicle’s age, mileage, previous use and condition.

Customers should therefore take the age and mileage of a vehicle into consideration when assessing its condition and deciding whether to bid.

Normal wear and tear should not automatically be treated as a defect or warranty failure.

Auction Vehicles and Mechanical Condition

The fact that a vehicle has passed through an auction does not mean that it has been mechanically refurbished or prepared to the standard of a new vehicle.

Some vehicles may require servicing, repairs or maintenance after purchase.

Customers are therefore encouraged to make full use of the available vehicle information and the 24-hour inspection opportunity following payment of the required down payment.

The CCPC also advises consumers considering an auction purchase to exercise particular caution and, where possible, have a vehicle examined by an expert such as a mechanic.

Bid Fee, Down Payment and Warranty

The bid participation fee described in our Auction Process is separate from any warranty.

A minimum bid participation fee of €100 applies where the auction requires one.

If the customer does not win the auction, 92% of the applicable bid participation fee is refunded, subject to the applicable terms.

If the customer wins the auction, the 92% portion is credited towards the vehicle purchase price.

The successful bidder must then make the required down payment before the vehicle is released for the 24-hour inspection.

The bid participation fee, down payment and vehicle purchase price are separate stages of the transaction and should not be confused with warranty coverage.

After the 24-Hour Inspection

Once the customer has completed the inspection and confirmed that they wish to proceed, the purchase continues to completion.

The applicable bid-fee credit and down payment are taken into account when calculating the remaining balance.

The customer must pay the outstanding amount and any applicable charges before the vehicle is released for final collection or delivery.

Important Buyer Responsibility

Customers should only bid on a vehicle after carefully considering the information available and deciding that the vehicle is suitable for their needs.

We strongly encourage customers to:

1. Read the complete auction listing

2. Review all available photographs

3. Review the stated vehicle condition

4. Check available vehicle history

5. Ask questions before bidding where clarification is required

6. Arrange an independent mechanical inspection where possible

7. Use the 24-hour inspection period after winning

8. Read the applicable auction and warranty terms

9. Ensure they understand the total purchase cost before committing to the transaction

Our Commitment

Our goal is to make vehicle auctions as clear and transparent as possible.

We want customers to understand the condition of the vehicle, the auction terms, the inspection process, the payment requirements and the protection available to them.

Where a vehicle is sold with an additional warranty, the applicable warranty documentation will explain the specific protection provided.

Where statutory consumer rights apply, those rights remain separate from and are not replaced by any additional warranty.

If you have a question about a vehicle, its condition, an applicable warranty or your purchase, please contact our team before taking action wherever possible.

Important Notice

This page provides general information about warranty and vehicle protection arrangements. The specific terms applicable to a particular vehicle will depend on its auction listing, purchase documentation, warranty documentation and the circumstances of the sale.

Nothing on this page is intended to exclude, restrict or replace any consumer rights that cannot legally be excluded or restricted under applicable Irish law.

Customers should read the applicable auction terms, vehicle description, purchase terms and any warranty documentation carefully before placing a bid or completing a purchase.