Michael McAleer answers your questions
From L Healy:
I've spent months hunting down a family car that could take three children in child seats in the rear.
It's incredible the number of carmakers that offer three seatbelts in the back, but can't accommodate three child seats.
Even some of the so-called people carriers have these problems. But that's only half the story.
I've had three cars in the time we've started a family and every one seems to have a different system of tethering the child seats. Why is this not standard?
Parents will find that most cars are either designed for two child seats in the rear or, in the case of the MPV, the use of far more space than one might wish to take up. A number of cars, such as the new Renualt Scénic and the Nissan Tino, do take the three seats. So does the VW Touran. When we last advised a reader on this matter, the family in question opted for the Touran.
As for tethering child seats in the car, most child seats are currently designed to be fitted using a car's adult lap and diagonal seat belt (or sometimes, just a lap belt).
However, car seats, seat belts and anchorages vary dramatically between different models.
Ideally, a car should have an ISOFIX (international standard) system fitted for each child seat but some marques don't even have the ISOFIX system fitted to their cars - besides there is international disagreement on the actual standard.
If any reader is considering starting a family then take note of these issues before you purchase your next car.
It's time that motorists caused much more of a fuss on this issue and demanded that manufacturers come up with one standard system.
From R Lynagh:
The story of Parkwest Auto going into receivership in last week's Motors raises the issue of an early trade-in. A dealer, who knew we had a second car, recently asked me if I could offer up my trade-in before he took delivery of my new car so he could sell it on quicker. I turned him down. Those with cars still in possession of the receiver at Parkwest are learning the hard way that trust is something you should apply in very small doses when it comes to the car industry.
It's a difficult call. From a dealer's perspective he may be keen to get the car from you early in the year when his forecourt is busiest and there is more chance of a quick sale. All he is really doing then is displaying the car earlier and getting it "in the window" if you will.
The problem occurs when he has a buyer and wants to sell it on before you have your new car. Technically then you are putting a very large deposit on your new purchase.
The best advice seems to be to hold on to the car's paperwork until your new one arrives.
From Peter Marron:
I am doing the Plymouth to Banjul (The Gambia) rally at Christmas.
It is about a 4,000 mile drive down through Europe, Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal and finishing in the Gambia three weeks later.
I am looking for a left-hand drive car with a value of €400 or less.
A Lada Niva or Riva would be my preference (most reliable car to date on the rally), but a Peugeot or any German car would be fine as they seem to be the easiest to get parts for in West Africa).
Diesel seems to be more readily available along the route, so if possible would like to get a diesel car. Can any of your readers help locate a car?
This sounds like a great trip and there is surely someone out there with a left-hand-drive car suitable for such an adventure. If you have such a vehicle - or know of someone who might trade in their old foreign vehicle - then contact us at the Motors Helpdesk.
Send your queries to Motors Helpdesk, The Irish Times, D'Olier St, Dublin 2 - or e-mail motorshelp@irish-times.ie