Michael McAleer answers your questions
From W Smyth, Dublin 4:
I'd like to offer an interesting point of note for the anti-SUV lobby. The local authorities in my area have recently laid down enormous speed ramps on my road. The speed limit on the road is not officially reduced, so 50km/h is legal.
My wife has a Ford Fiesta and at over 20km/h you hear the scrape of metal as the car tops off the ramp. So, for small cars like my wife's, the system works in slowing down the traffic. However, in her friend's SUV, they can cruise over the ramps at 50km/h with only a minor disturbance. The same seems to be the case for vans which use our road as a rat-run. Are the people behind these ramps not aware they are creating more problems than they are solving?
Good intentions can be a curse when combined with a little power and little foresight. If the planners make roads uncomfortable for small, sensible cars, people will naturally turn to SUVs and their like.
There are also issues for drivers of small cars who slow down to avoid leaving their exhausts on the road, only to find themselves tailgated by bigger vehicles.
There is no doubting the use of ramps is well-intentioned but planners need to be wary of the full range of consequences of their actions.
From SG:
In light of the new guidelines about seating restraints for child passengers under 11 years, is there any saloon/estate car that can comfortably take three suitably restrained child backseat passengers ranging in age from infancy to young child?
I want to avoid at all costs becoming part of the MPV brigade.
It's hard not to join that particular band of happy parents but unhappy motorists. However, we have come across a few cars that might help you through. Our colleague, Donal Byrne, who has more experience with these things, tells us that the Ford Mondeo will actually manage to accommodate all three seats in the back.
There are also a couple of more premium models that will do the job, he says. The Mercedes E-Class will take your children in the back, as will the B-Class, which is probably the best bet as it is close to an MPV in terms of space but remains a proper car in terms of looks.
Technically the Toyota Corolla Verso doesn't qualify under your criteria but it's worth a look, as is the Nissan Tino.
From David Leach:
I plan to purchase a Land Rover Defender in Britain. Many of the prices are quoted as VAT being additional. For example price £7,500+VAT.
As I will be exporting the vehicle out of Britain, do I have to pay the VAT and if I do, can I claim it back at my port of exit from the UK ?
It depends on if the vehicle is for commercial use and if it is a commercial vehicle. As a private buyer - and not through a company - you will have to pay the VAT over there. If it's a passenger version you will have no facility to claim the VAT back when you arrive home.
Don't forget that you will have to pay Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) as soon as you return as well.
From AM, Co Galway:
I have recently been involved in a minor crash as a direct result of a cyclist who lost balance in front of me. I swerved to avoid hitting her but clipped the kerb with the front of my car in the process. The cyclist stopped and I have her name and address. However, as cyclists they don't need insurance, do I have to put the repair bill through my own insurance?
In this instance your best approach is to seek compensation directly from the cyclist and if there is a problem you could proceed to the small claims court.
Send your queries to Motors Helpdesk, The Irish Times, D'Olier St, Dublin 2 - or e-mail motorshelp@irish-times.ie