HELPDESK: Michael McAleeranswering all your motoring queries
From W Bowen, Louth: Which test centre has the best pass rate, and can I take the test in whichever centre I choose?
Monaghan came tops in the latest report from the Road Safety Authority (RSA). It has a pass rate of 67.5 per cent and a waiting time of six weeks. That compares with a national pass rate of 57.1 per cent and an average waiting time of 8.1 weeks.
You can take your test anywhere, but you must choose a test centre on your driving test application form.
From SL, Cork: I'm told that now is the time to change cars, particularly in light of recent campaigns by the car industry.
A local dealer is offering me 20 per cent off the advertised price on a 2003 Peugeot. It seems like a golden opportunity to change.
Is it really as good as they are claiming on the adverts?
If you like the car, then the deal would seem to be good. The benefit of the downturn and the recent tax changes is that many new or used cars have are dropping in price.
However, the motoring mantra you should never forget when buying a car is "cost of change". It's the net pay-out you will make that matters.
The good news is that buyers now benefit from lower prices on some really good diesel cars. Add in the fact that falling sales means you can make a better deal with the salesperson, and it would seem the ideal time to change.
However, as with all transactions in the current climate, there is a potential downside. The likelihood is that with a glut of used cars on the market, the price of your own trade-in may well be below your expectations.
Apparently there are a lot of disgruntled buyers on the market who are feeling personally insulted by the poor valuations they are getting for their prized motoring possessions. In reality you only have to look around at the market to see the volume of similar cars to your own for sale.
Then look at the quoted prices on the various classified ads. In most cases these are based more on the dreams of bygone days than any reflection of the cut-throat market out there.
Remember, it's the net cost of change you need to consider, and the trade-in value put on your car will be as important - if not more so - than the discounted price you can coax out of the dealer for your new car.
From Mrs L, Dublin: I've just failed the NCT because one of the rear indicator bulbs wasn't working.
I'm firstly very annoyed with myself, and secondly with my mechanic who inspects these things.
He checked the car before it was tested, and said it was fine. Can I claim the cost of the re-test from my mechanic?
If it just involves changing a bulb and that was the only item on which the car failed the NCT, then you will not face any additional costs, apart from the time it takes to get the re-test done. They should have told you this at the test centre.
According to the NCT website, "re-tests, which do not require the use of a test lane, will be free of charge.
"Free re-tests will cover minor visual items such as replacement of windscreen wiper and registration plates. Re-tests must be completed within 30 days of the initial test, or a full test will need to be repeated."
From T O'Sullivan, Dublin: I've been looking for a replacement for the Toyota Previa, but there doesn't seem to be a proper people carrier on sale from what is supposedly Ireland's biggest car brand.
Has Toyota totally given up on big family cars?
No, there is still the Corolla Verso, which is a seven-seat family car. It's a bit smaller than the old Previa, but it does seat seven in the same sort of space and flexibility as rivals such as the Opel Zafira.
As we reported some weeks ago, there is also going to be a replacement for this coming in the next 12 months. Large-scale people carriers are not in the immediate product plan for Toyota, but mid-range versions certainly seem to be on offer.
Send your queries to Motors, The Irish Times, Tara St, Dublin 2 or e-mail motorshelp@irish-times.ie