MICHAEL McALEER answers your questions
From Brendan Riordan, Dublin:
I'm writing with reference to the letter from S Howe (motorshelp, December 7th) and the decision to fail her a second time for not having Baile Ath Cliaith on the number plate - despite it not being noticed during her first test.
Is the NCT not supposed to be about ensuring that the mechanical condition of the vehicle is such as not to pose a threat to life or limb of the occupants or other road users?
What then is the relevance of having BAC on the registration plate to this criterion?
In your reply you say that such incidents 'do not inspire confidence in the system'. I hope that the Motors Supplement will in future demonstrate that the NCT has gone far beyond what is reasonable and necessary, and in doing so is an increasing burden on the motoring public.
You might also find that it is causing cars to be scrapped well before the end of their potential lifespan.
This not only raises the cost of motoring, but causes a serious misuse of the resources used to the make the car.
Finally the shorter the life of the car the greater the task of dealing with car scrap, yet another environmental cost.
From Michael Leonard, Co Wicklow:
Regarding last week's letter about the failure of the NCT to take into account when a car has been off-the-road, my daughter also had a similar problem in that the second hand car she bought had been off the road for over one year. It also passed the NCT with flying colours, but she has had to arrange another test within eight months instead of the usual two years because of the car's registration date. My question is how do we get our Government or NCT to change the rules for this? Maybe it could be like registration road tax and a Garda signs a form.
I support the principles of the NCT, but the system seems very unfair in this respect.
It would seem that the NCT could be a little more understanding in these particular instances. As I mentioned last week, we all understand the need to properly police the system to ensure no one abuses it, but we already have systems in place whereby a car that's off-the-road does not need road tax if the proper paperwork is completed and signed by a member of the Garda. Surely a similar system can be introduced for the NCT?
In reply to Mr Riordan, I would only say that the pedantic nature of the test as regards number plates brings the test into ridicule. Certainly the numberplates must reach a certain standard and be legible. However, failing a car for not have the county written in Irish on the plate is bordering on the farcical. A warning of some sort should be enough in these cases and a note taken for the next time the car comes in for its NCT, two years later.
From T Begley:
What do you think about run-flat tyres?
The principle behind the run-flat is good. After all, most of us can go for years without a puncture, all the while carrying around a heavy spare in the boot. If and when we do have a puncture, some complain that you have to replace the tyre. That is true, but in most instances, if you have a significant puncture you would have to do that anyway.
The major benefit is that you don't have to wonder around in the rain with a tyre jack. While the speed limits on such tyres means you won't race home in a hurry, the sort of distances that a punctured run-flat can manage these days means that you should be able to get to a garage or back home from virtually any place on this island.
The downside for me has always been with regard to ride quality. The harder sidewalls on most run-flats mean they can be relatively unforgiving on rough Irish roads. Things are rapidly improving in this regard, with tyre companies looking to the run-flat as the future standard fit on most cars in the next decade or so. That means that millions are being spent on research and development in this area.
However, for now, you may still want to consider the quality of the roads you use on a regular basis. Also, it is very important if you are using run flats that your car is fitted with a tyre pressure monitor to let you know of any loss of pressure within the tyre itself so you know when you have a puncture and need to slow down.
Send your queries to Motors Help Desk, The Irish Times, D'Olier St, Dubiln 2 - or email to motorshelp@irish-times.ie