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 My dad was buying a car recently and at every dealership we visited there was a big emphasis to sell these so-called 'PCP' finance plans. They're ultimately a more flexible wave of hire purchase agreements. Firstly an initial deposit is paid, or a car is traded in. Then the owner makes his repayments while keeping the car serviced at the main dealer and keeping the mileage of the vehicle below a specific level per annum.  Usually after 3 years - when most of the payments have been made - the purchaser has a range of choices to make: He can hand back the car with no obligation for him to make any further repayments. He can make a balloon payment or continue to make payments until he owns the car. Or he can trade in the car and enter into a new PCP agreement on another car. Hyundai: The best-selling car brand in Ireland last year. Also one of the many brands offering PCP deals.  The media are forever using car sales as a barometer of economic activity in Ireland. Inc