Motoring queries from readers are answered every week by Michael McAleer
An e-mail doing the rounds claims to have uncovered a scheme, or scam, to beat the penalty points system, or at least avoid getting the points on your licence.
It centres on the logistics of recording the points on the system and requires you to overpay your fine.
When you receive the fine, the email suggests, make out your cheque for a small amount over the fine. The system will then have to send you back a refund cheque for the difference, but if you do not cash the refund cheque the points will not be added to your licence until all financial transactions are complete.
"If you do not cash the cheque, then the transactions are not complete," says the e-mail. "However, the system has gotten its money and is happy and will not bother you any more."
Sorry to build up your hopes but this is not going to work. Such a discrepancy existed previously in the British system, but here, if someone writes a cheque for more than the amount required, the original is returned and the fine remains recorded as unpaid. Therefore the clock is still ticking and the motorist could face court action if he or she fails to pay the proper amount on time.
From Jaspal Marjara:
I bought a Honda Deauville recently but in spite of basing my order on a bike which had a proper speedometer, matching tyres and normal headlight, the bike I received had a "Continental" headlamp, a kilometres-per-hour speedometer and two odd tyres.
I have been told by a friend that Honda is not now replacing the Continental headlights as a matter of course, unless this is specifically requested by the buyer.
So, many of them don't realise that their lights are "dipping" to the wrong side of the road and blinding fellow road users into the bargain.
According to Michael Murphy, sales director at Honda, "we understand that any problems Mr Marjara had with his new HondaNT650 earlier this year were sorted at that time by the dealer who supplied the bike and we regret any inconvenience.
He goes on: "We wish to confirm that any big bikes that our company supply for the Irish market are always fitted with English/Irish type headlights.
"Regarding the speedometers on motorcycles, metric type or mph type are presently both legal, but mph type will become illegal some time in the future."
If you have a bought a new bike with continental lights fitted and odd tyres, please send us the details.
According to a spokesperson for the National Car Test, testing on motorbikes will not be introduced for at least another three years. However, for cars with only kph readings on their speedometers, it is not a criteria for the test and a car will not fail on these grounds.
From Lisa Collins, Galway:
I got an e-mail yesterday from a friend asking had I seen the query on my car in The Irish Times Motors supplement. I then read Brian MacGonagle's query about my 97 D VW Beetle.
Yes, you are correct in saying it's a Mexican import. VWs are still being imported to Britain by Beetles UK and then shipped all over Europe. I was lucky to purchase mine from another Beetle enthusiast who had got the car imported through a man in Waterford.
The car is almost exactly the same as the cars that stopped production in 1978 - it doesn't even have a cigarette lighter.
If anyone is looking for more information on Mexican or old-style Beetles they should contact Emilo, the guru of Beetles, in the Golden Pages. Also I want to thank you: I had intended to import another Beetle for myself in 2005 (when I've saved enough) but if they are stopping in 2004 - I need to get my skates on.
It will be a great pity so see the end of these Beetles, which have much more character and are more amenable to the public at large than their high-price replacements. The originals fulfilled the requirements of many, offering cheap and cheerful motoring to the masses.
Undoubtedly a number of us will be looking to get our hands on these cars before they stop production. Unfortunately it seems to cost well over €12,000 to get your hands on a new one. Lisa also tells us that she found it "impossible to get a motor loan on an import." Check out the Beetle Club in Dublin called the Southern Volks Folks atwww.southernvolksfolks.com