Motoring Editor Andrew Hamilton's weekly motoring clinic
Our eighth edition
This is the eighth edition of Motors and in that time we have gained a good idea of the concerns of Irish motorists. Apart from technical problems and queries about old cars, the correspondence has broken down into three parts, and it's all anger and angst. The three all contribute hugely to the cost of motoring here, especially for those of us who have to buy a car with our own money.
The three are Vehicle Registration Tax or VRT, the high cost of insurance and the punitive effect of depreciation - now that dealers are far less generous on trade-ins. A general election is being held later this month and already politicians are seeking our support. Please tackle them about VRT and its anti-European nature and ask them what is going to be done about the appalling motor insurance situation.
On VRT, motorists could point out that in the first three months of this year, the Government collected over €600 million from new car sales. Of this amount, over €400 million was VRT. That €400 million is money we shouldn't be paying: it defies the whole European ethos of free trade.
Insurance issues
A huge number of readers have been in touch indicating their particular insurance problems: sadly it's one area where we don't have magical powers of intercession. Sean O'Kiersey from Blackrock, Co Dublin wants us and other motoring journalists to highlight the insurance group rating when writing about a particular car.
The UK groupings are, he says, an indication to buyers as to where the car is likely to be positioned for insurance purposes. He points out that every UK garage forecourt has groupings shown on the windscreen, along with make, year, mileage and of course, cost.
Could it not be done here? Our Blackrock correspondent was in touch with the Irish Insurance Federation where he was told that there were no plans to copy the British idea. "Is there any chance that you and your colleague Michael McAleer might take up the challenge and try to get some openness and transparency into insurance premiums? " We can try, but if a grouping system doesn't exist, it isn't going to be easy. Maybe it's time for the Irish Insurance Federation to have a rethink in the interests of openness and transparency, if those indeed are their interests!
Another victim
David Bradley from Drogheda, Co Louth is another victim of the insurance industry. He writes: "We hear of alleged discrimination suffered by young and inexperienced car drivers by insurance companies, and while I am sympathetic towards their plight, at 47 years of age I, too, have not been dealt with kindly.
"I have a full licence, unblemished, with many years of driving experience and a full no-claims bonus. There are no named drivers on the policy. I decided recently to obtain a second car in case my own car is out of service as I need a car for constant use. This is not because of extravagance, but both my children have special needs and there are times when I have to bring my daughter to hospital urgently.
"However, my years of experience count for nothing, as if I want a second car, I am classed as a raw beginner. A number of companies refused to give me a quote as in their words, I had no no-claims bonus to present.
"Only two companies were prepared to offer me a quote and the cheapest of these was €1,300 for third party, fire and theft. This amounts to three times my current premium! It just does not make sense as I am a good risk. The net result is that I have to abandon any idea of obtaining a second car."
NSU response
Jim O'Sullivan of St Fintan's Park, Sutton, Dublin 13 has responded to our call about the NSU Ro80 and the call from John Kennedy of Co Wicklow and our own query if there were many out there still driving.
Jim O'Sullivan writes in on the headed notepaper of NSU Club Ireland, which we didn't know about. He says he knows of at least 16 Ro80s still doing service on Irish roads. He himself owns a 1970 car with a ZV registration that is in regular use.
Jim O'Sullivan tells us he is the chairman of the NSU club which has membership all over the country. "We are a group of enthusiasts who collect and use NSU vehicles. We have all the models including motorcycles within our club. These include Prinz 1-3, Prinz 4, TT, Spider and Ro80. The motorcycles are well represented, with the MAX being popular." Anyone interested in NSU vehicles can contact Jim O'Sullivan at (01) 832 5453, or by e-mail at nsuchairman@dol.ie.
Pothole rebuff
We have had a fair amount of correspondence about motorists who have suffered tyre damage because of potholes on the roads. One such is Nigel Bannister, who hit a pothole in his wife's car near Lucan, Co Dublin. He submitted a repair invoice to Fingal County Council for almost €400. He has been rebuffed with a statement that although the council is responsible for the road, it is not legally liable.
Sadly, this is what we understand to be the case. If local authorities had to pay out for their negligence, then most of them would probably be bankrupt.