Always use the NVDF to check car ownership

HELPDESK:Answering all your motoring queries

From R Murphy: I bought a car a little over two months ago. The car itself is working fine but I am having difficulty obtaining the log book from the dealer, AS Cars in Ballymount, Dublin. I have called five times to find out what is going on and they’re usually nice enough and tell me they’re working on it. The dealer said he is having trouble obtaining the log book from the person he bought the car off. As the dealer is with SIMI, is there anything they can do?

I spoke with a representative of the dealership yesterday and he said there had been a problem but they have the log book now. He also assured me you were registered as the new owner on the National Vehicle Driver File (NVDF). If so, you should be able to tax the car and if needs be request a duplicate copy of the logbook through your local tax office.

If you have any doubts about the background of the car you can do a check on websites like cartell.ie or motorcheck.ie. There can often be delays in getting logbooks but the key record is the NVDF.

From JI: I’m trading in a 2007 Toyota Avensis for a smaller car to save money. We want a saloon. I have about €5,000 to spend, along with trade-in. Any suggestions? We don’t want a Ford or a French car.

Whatever about your outright refusal to consider Ford or French cars, I suspect you should get about €13,000 for your current car – depending on mileage and condition. That leaves you a little short of buying new in terms of a Toyota Corolla, Mazda3 saloon or Honda Civic saloon. All of these start above €21,000. You can, however, pick up a nearly new – probably ex-hire drive from 2009 – within your price range.

My favourite of this lot is the Mazda3 with the 1.6-litre diesel engine, but they are not that common in the market. It’s worth talking to a Mazda dealer to see if you can source one at the right price. I also like the VW Jetta, but they were overpriced when introduced here initially so there are not that many on the road. Finally, I suggest it’s worth calling into a Toyota dealer about a Corolla. The brand has had a tough time in recent months with recalls and dealers may be in a position now to be more generous than in the past.

From EMc: I’ve been doing some initial research into getting a new car. There is a new Fiat Panda for sale online for €6,995 after a Fiat bonus discount and the scrappage offer. My old car qualifies, but the scrappage on it is just €1,255. I thought it was €1,500 from the Government. Is someone not passing all the Government money on?

No. The Scrappage scheme provides for relief of Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) up to a maximum of €1,500. You will not get more than the VRT due on the car. In your case, where the VRT is less than €1,500, you will get relief of €1,255 only – the VRT you were due to pay.