Bargain hunters still heading to UK for cars

Bargain-hunting motorists in Galway are continuing to look to the UK for secondhand cars, with more than 3,500 cars imported and registered in the city and county during 2014.

And imports of commercial vehicles and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) are also on the increase, with 820 brought into Galway over the past 12 months.

Statistics compiled for the Connacht Tribune by Motorcheck.ie show that between January and mid-December 2014, there were 3,518 cars imported to Galway – up just over 7% from the 3,278 during the same period in 2013.

Imports are now at their highest rate since 2008, when there were 4,052 registered in Galway.

Traditionally, these cars have higher specification features than those sold on the Irish market and, in some cases, can be much cheaper than those available from Irish dealers.

The most popular imported cars amongst Galway buyers during the past year were the Ford Focus (down 11% to 245 cars); VW Golf (up 17% to 188); VW Passat (unchanged at 182); Audi A4 (down 27% to 164) and Vauxhall Astra (up 60% to 163).

The majority of the used cars imported were diesel (3,038), followed by petrol (3464), hybrid (11) and five electric cars.

By comparison, there were 2,815 imports in 2012; 2,953 in 2011; 2,736 in 2010 and 3,185 in 2009.

For commercial vehicles and HGVs, imports were up 15% from 711 in 2013 to 820 in 2014. By comparison, there were 514 in 2012; 711 in 2011; 906 in 2010; 1,160 in 2009 and 1,180 in 2008. The most popular imports were the Ford Transit; Citroen Berlingo; VW Caddy; Peugeot Partner and Toyota Hilux.