Consumer complaints about used vehicles leads CCPC's list of issues reported on their website
In the first half of 2025, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) in Ireland has seen a surge in consumer complaints, with a total reported value of €56 million[1][3][4]. According to the CCPC Director of Communications, Gráinne Griffin, the most common consumer issues reported include faulty goods and services, poor online shopping experiences, botched home improvements, and issues related to vehicles and transport[4].
The sectors with the highest reported consumer spend associated with complaints are vehicles and transport, with the highest average spend of around €18,716, and home building and improvements, with an average spend of approximately €13,443[1][3][4]. On average, consumers spent €6,400 on the product or service they had an issue with[1].
The travel and communication industries were not left untouched, with companies such as Ryanair, Eir, and Sky frequently named in complaints[3][4][5].
Here is a breakdown of the most common consumer issues and their average spend:
| Issue Category | Common Complaint Details | Average Spend on Product/Service | |-----------------------------|------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------| | Faulty goods & services | Most common complaint type (4,724 contacts) | €6,400 average overall | | Vehicles and transport | Most reported sector with highest spend | €18,716 average | | Home building & improvements | Botched work complaints | €13,443 average | | Online shopping | Poor shopping experiences on digital platforms | Included in faulty goods |
It's important to note that a significant number of complaints (4,419) were about online purchases, with 17% of purchases originating from businesses outside of the EU. Unfortunately, purchases from businesses outside of the EU do not have an international mechanism to get money back[1].
Ms. Griffin emphasizes the importance of reporting consumer issues to the CCPC and advocates for an increase in the small claims court cap in Ireland, as the high value of these complaints means that people cannot use the small claims court route[2]. She also mentioned that consumers are experiencing significant problems with buying cars, both new and second-hand[4].
Every call to the CCPC helpline could potentially lead to enforcement action against companies that consistently harm consumers. The CCPC has a team of inspectors and lawyers ready to take action[1].
Sources:
[1] Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) Helpline Report, 2025 (January-June) [2] Griffin, G. (2025, July 1). Consumer Issues in Ireland: A Call to Action. Irish Times. [3] O'Reilly, P. (2025, July 5). Top Consumer Complaints in Ireland Revealed. RTE News. [4] O'Brien, M. (2025, July 7). Consumers Face Significant Problems Buying Cars. Irish Examiner. [5] Kelleher, A. (2025, July 9). Ryanair, Eir, and Sky Top List of Consumer Complaints. Independent.ie.
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