Michael McAleer answers your questions
From J Dunphy, Kilkenny:
What is the situation regarding car-derived vans and the National Car Test (NCT)?
As we reported in June 2004, private owners of small vans do not require either a National Car Test (NCT) certificate or a certificate of roadworthiness, required for light commercial vehicles, due to a loophole in the law.
The anomaly permits motorists who privately tax vehicles such as the Ford Fiesta van or a Peugeot 206 van to avoid paying for either the tests or the maintenance necessary to pass them.
At the time a spokesperson from the Department of Transport told us they were aware of the loophole and were working to close it with the Department of Environment. A spokesperson said yesterday that this is still the case. So far there doesn't seem to be anything to show for their efforts.
In short, if you have a car-derived van then you need neither an NCT nor a certificate of roadworthiness. Just try and keep your vehicle in good order for the sake of the rest of us.
From Helen McCumiskey:
How can that famous free-marketeer, Charlie McCreevy - now EU Commissioner for the Internal Market - justify the continued existence of Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) in Ireland?
For instance, the cost of a new Porsche Boxster (including VAT) in Luxembourg is €43,815, in Germany it is €43,935, and in Belgium it is €46,464.
Yet in Ireland it costs a staggering €72,850 when Government taxes are added.
How can this be justified, given the Commissioner's remit to dismantle trade barriers within Europe?
In fairness Mr McCreevy, for all his free market beliefs, never showed any great interest in removing the double taxation system that applies to cars.
As anyone who buys a new car knows, not only do you pay the initial pre-tax price of a new car here, but 21 per cent VAT is added and then Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) - at between 22.5 and 30 per cent - is paid on top of all this.
That means you are actually paying VRT on the VAT already included on the price of the car. It's a double whammy.
New car sales contributed €1.4 billion to the Government in 2004. That's a hard cash fix to turn your back on if you are in the Department of Finance.
From Fergal G:
How is it that on so many of our roads, particularly the motorways, major signs are erected where they are at least partly blocked by roadside trees or bushes?
For example, at the northern entrance to the Dublin Port Tunnel, some key direction signs have recently been placed where they are already obscured by trees.
There seems to be no co-ordination between those responsible for signage and whoever looks after the planting and maintenance of greenery close to the roadside.
The local authorities look after this area of the road, and it's their responsibility to maintain them.
As far as the Port Tunnel signs are concerned, we'll have to wait and see when the tunnel opens. Given that there have been so many delays, it's hardly surprising the grass and trees have overgrown the signage.
From John K:
I've a 1995 Toyota Corolla, and I'm looking to buy something similar in the next year or so. I'm looking for a hatchback, no smaller than the current Corolla, with good access. It also has to be reliable. Any suggestions?
First thoughts are that you should consider getting another Corolla. However, you may want to wait until the next generation model arrives next year. Media reports suggest it will lose the Corolla name and the new car is expected to be marginally bigger than the current model in terms of height and interior space.
If it's something a little smaller you are looking for, perhaps you could consider the likes of the Nissan Note, a fine little town runaround. For access, there's also the Ford Focus in three-door format. It's got big doors that make it easy to get in and out, and it's a nice car to drive.
• Send your queries to Motors Helpdesk, The Irish Times, D'Olier St, Dublin 2 - or send an e-mail to motorshelp@irish-times.ie