Faulty Cars and Dodgy Online Deals Top Consumer Complaints in 2025

Used cars, online shopping mishaps and botched home improvements have dominated consumer complaints to Ireland's watchdog in the first half of 2025, with Cork businesses receiving 917 complaints, making the county second only to Dublin.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) today revealed that 20,526 consumers contacted their helpline between January and June, reporting problems with goods and services worth a collective €56 million. Vehicles and transport topped the list of troublesome sectors, whilst Ryanair, Eir and Sky were the most frequently named companies in complaints.

Cork residents were particularly active in seeking help, with businesses based in the Rebel County generating the second-highest number of complaints nationally after Dublin. Most consumers (70 per cent) contacted the helpline by phone, with others using email, web forms and social media to report their issues.

The average consumer complaint involved a purchase worth €6,400, but those who bought vehicles or invested in home improvements faced much steeper losses. Car buyers reported average issues worth €18,716, whilst homeowners dealing with building work averaged €13,443 in problematic spending.

Grainne Griffin, CCPC Director of Communications: 

"Consumer contacts to our helpline are vital in directing our work, particularly in enforcement. The information provided by consumers helps us to identify rogue traders, patterns of potential law breaking and means we can target our resources for maximum impact."

The watchdog's enforcement teams have already acted on intelligence gathered from the helpline, conducting unannounced inspections at shops, pubs, restaurants and car dealerships across Ireland, including businesses in Cork.

Online shopping emerged as a particular minefield, with 4,419 consumers reporting issues with internet purchases. Worryingly, 17 per cent of problematic purchases came from businesses operating outside the EU, where consumer protections are significantly weaker. The shift to online shopping continues to accelerate, with online purchase complaints now accounting for 30 per cent of all issues reported about Irish businesses.

One Cork consumer shared their experience of buying clothes from what appeared to be a Dublin-based company's closing down sale, only to discover they needed to return faulty items to a warehouse in China for just a 50 per cent refund. The CCPC warns that just because a website ends in '.ie' doesn't mean it's based in Ireland.

Griffin added: 

"We've seen an increase in consumers contacting us about online purchases. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Consumers should be very cautious of exclusively 5-star reviews or amazing deals that are out of step with other suppliers."

The CCPC advises shoppers to stick with EU-based retailers where possible, as these purchases come with a 14-day right to cancel and full refund. For those venturing further afield, the watchdog recommends checking for proper contact details including physical addresses, using secure payment methods like PayPal, and keeping all transaction records.

Personal finance queries also featured prominently, with 1,389 consumers seeking help. Motor insurance topped these concerns, followed by mortgages and current accounts; issues particularly relevant to Cork residents facing rising insurance premiums and a competitive housing market.

The report highlights how consumer feedback directly influences policy recommendations. Earlier this year, the CCPC called for an online car history portal to help buyers check mileage, accidents and import status before purchasing used vehicles. They've also pushed for greater transparency in the homebuying process, demanding that crucial property information be made available earlier.

Digital engagement with the CCPC's resources has surged: their free online Money Tools were accessed 352,655 times in just six months, suggesting consumers are increasingly taking matters into their own hands when it comes to financial comparisons and budgeting.

For Cork residents facing consumer issues, the CCPC helpline remains available on 01 402 5555, Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm, or via their website at www.ccpc.ie. Given the high volume of complaints from Cork businesses, local consumers are encouraged to report issues promptly to help identify patterns of poor practice.