Michael McAleer answers your queries.
From P Andrews:
I want to draw attention to the lack of media outcry over Vehicle Registration Tax. Despite the horrendous punitive taxes on cars, little is made of the injustice of the system for the Irish motorist.
I accept we have often let the issue slip from the motoring agenda. However, I would draw your attention to several mentions of the issue even in recent weeks. Last week's report on sales figures gave comments from the chief executive of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) on the issue.
The problem may be that most people believe that such an enormous contributor to state finances is not going to be given up and that years of campaigning have led to little success.
Nonetheless, the VRT paid by Irish motorists is farcical. So far this year, while car sales are booming - up over 14 per cent to the end of March - the tax take was up 18 per cent. According to the SIMI, motorists paid the exchequer €555m in VRT and €279m in VAT so far this year. However, the size of these figures often causes public attention to wander. A better example for the general motoring public is to consider the tax paid on individual cars.
Compare, for example, the price of a new Range Rover Sport in France and Ireland. Here it will set you back about €70,000, while in France it's about €47,000. The difference is taxation - that's over €20,000 paid in tax, before any road tax and fuel duty is paid.
On the Opel Astra, prices start here at €19,995, but in France at €15,040. For the Ford Fiesta, Irish prices start at €14,330, while in Germany the entry model costs €10,775.
Specification is mostly better abroad as Irish importers remove costly items to make the cars somewhat more affordable.
There may be a strong case for motorists contributing to road upkeep and even perhaps some form of environmental tax, but there's no justification for such excessive taxation. Given the state's huge take, any attempt to remove it and meet the strong recommendations of the European Commission would mean higher taxes elsewhere. It would also impact on used car prices as new cars would be significantly cheaper.
Nevertheless, motorists should not accept the status quo.
From John Morton:
You answered a reader's query last week on the problems associated with changing wheel sizes, and mentioned that some changes to the steering rack may be necessary. Wouldn't a change in wheel diameter have an affect on the speedometer?
That's right. Speedometers are calibrated to the manufacturer's standard wheel sizes. If you've opted for a larger wheel/tyre package, for higher vehicle clearance or just for aesthetics, then your speedometer and odometer are no longer pinpoint accurate. You may not consider this critical, but try explaining to a garda that your speedometer doesn't match with his radar scanner because you're running oversized tyres. You'll still get the points. So consult the dealer about changes before upgrading.
From Mr Brennan, Dublin:
Is it safe to fit a DVD system into a car - or am I better to pay the price when new? It's available in the car I'm considering, but the prices are astronomical and I know someone who will fit it for much less. I obviously don't want to offend my friend, but I'm worried about my warranty if something goes wrong.
The benefit of retrofitting things such as DVDs is that they don't incur the Vehicle Registration Tax, which is based on the final sale price of the car - including extras - when it come into the State (see answer above).
The downside is that, while there are some very reputable retrofit operations in Ireland, you need to be sure that the devices are compatible with the cars electricals. Many dealers will tell you about people retrofitting equipment and the car's electrics causing problems ever after. It's obviously in their interest to play down retrofit devices, but their views are often based on solid evidence.
Any tampering with the car's electrics could invalidate the entire warranty. Most makers will tut-tut but continue coverage, but you do run the risk. In a worst-case scenario you would be caught in the middle of claims and counter-claims between the retrofit operation and the dealer, with little to show for it. My advice would be to go with the factory fit device if you really want it. Or you could get a much cheaper portable DVD system that can be hung from the front headrests.
Send your queries to:
Motors Help Desk, The Irish Times, Fleet Street, Dublin 2 - or e-mail them to motorshelp@irish-times.ie