Michael McAleeranswers your questions
From L Spain, Dublin 14:
I was shocked to read in your article of March 14th, that when the Government introduce their CO2 emissions road tax system next year, automatic owners will pay more annually for their cars.
I am one of many drivers in Ireland who are partially disabled - I am a polio survivor. I'm not disabled enough (apparently) to qualify for a disabled drivers permit, but I can't drive a manual transmission car.
I can, however, drive an automatic transmission car, and I do. I get no allowance or help from the Government.
So I already pay a premium for an automatic because I'm disabled.
Now I hear that the Government is going to tax me further - because I'm disabled. Surely there's something wrong here.
The simple fact is that automatic cars are less fuel-efficient than manual versions, and as a result of using more fuel they emit more CO2.
There are exceptions to this rule but, in general, automatics are less efficient.
If the Government goes ahead with proposals to link the tax on new cars and also the annual road tax to CO2 emissions and not only the engine size, then you will undoubtedly pay more.
There are already serious problems relating to the support for disabled drivers.
There is a significant backlog in hearing appeals from disabled people who have been refused tax breaks for modifying their cars.
The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concession) Scheme provides about 50 per cent of the purchase price of a new car through concessions such as Vat and VRT waivers.
From Kevin Ward, Dublin:
Why isn't a speedometer check included in the NCT?
According to a spokeswoman for the National Car Test (NCT), speedometers do actually feature on the list of tested equipment.
"We check that the speedometer is visible from the driver's seat and also that it is in working order when the car is driven up to the test lane," says Samantha Breen. Admittedly, this is hardly a rigorous test and it does not verify the accuracy of the speedometer. All it shows is that when the car is moving, the needle flickers into life.
In answer to your question, the reason may well be that it is entirely the responsibility of the driver to keep to speed limits and the NCT is undoubtedly wary of checking speedometers and giving them a clean bill of health only to be dragged into court in cases where the actual speed of the vehicle is in question.
From Catherine Corrocher:
I need to buy a smallish family car for city driving that will fit three baby/child seats in the back. We have an MPV for longer trips and holidays, but this car is mainly intended for the creche and school run, driving to work in the city centre and suchlike. It should not be expensive and I am agnostic regarding the brand.
To date I have only managed to ascertain that the Citroën Berlingo can fit three child seats across the back seat. I am hoping that perhaps you could tell me what other small family cars would fit the bill.
There are a number of cars on sale that can, technically, take three child seats in the back row. For a start, there is the Toyota Corolla Verso, the Nissan Tino and, according to our "expert" in this field, the current Ford Mondeo, surprisingly.
The reality of the situation is that the bulky child seats on the market these days make it difficult to manoeuvre all three into the rear seats at once. If you are fortunate, then you will only need two fully-fledged baby seats and then a booster seat. That will get you round the problem in most cars.
If I were to direct you to one particular vehicle, it would be the Toyota Corolla Verso, both for its flexibility, inherent reliability and resale value.
From A Murtagh, Carlow:
I travel to France quite often, and hope to do so more in the future.
However, every time I go, I have to buy plastic beambenders for the car. When I return and remove them, the adhesive is gone from them so they can't be re-used. They normally cost €8 or €9. Any suggestions?
We've used beambenders before, and while they work perfectly, they can be quite fiddly to fit. As you say, they are also usable only once.
We have heard of other kits that are re-usable two or three times. They are produced by Lucas, but we had no luck tracking them down in any of the accessory stores we tried.
There is another system we came across where you can get lens covers that can be clipped on to your lights.
These depend on the make and model of car, but we spotted several available on eBay and through a British online parts website. Prices range from €30 to €35, but remember they are reusable.
From John Kilgallon:
Bob Montgomery's article on the cars used in the 1916 Rising could have included reference to another famous car currently restored and residing in the British National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, Hampshire.
The car is a beautiful Hispano Suiza Alfonso XIII built in 1912 of 3,615cc and 4-cylinder open-top sports car in white with red leather interior. Price new was a very expensive £575 in 1912.
The record in Beaulieu's register reads: "Named after the company's most illustrious client, King Alfonso XIII . . . the damage to the steering wheel rim on this exhibit occurred when one of its previous owners was killed by a ricocheting bullet during the Irish Rebellion in 1916."
I happened upon the son of one of the subsequent owners who fondly recalled playing as a child in a barn in Wexford where the car was then stored.
The Beaulieu website also has a lovely photograph of the car.
For those interested in motoring history, be assured that a visit to the motor museum at Beaulieu is a fantastic treat. Located near Southampton, it's worth a detour.
Send your queries to Motors Helpdesk, The Irish Times, Tara St, Dublin 2, or e-mail motorshelp@irish-times.ie