Why buying a hybrid is an urgent matter

HELPDESK:Answering all your motoring queries

From L O’M: I’m looking to buy either a Honda Insight or a Toyota Prius. Simple question: which do you recommend?

I have always held Honda in high esteem as a firm with great engineering pedigree at its core and when it gets it right, the end product is always class leading. However, in the hybrid stakes, despite rightly claiming to have launched the first production hybrid before Toyota introduced its Prius, they have slipped back. The Insight’s powertrain just seems too small for the car.

For our money the Prius is the better buy, both in terms of performance, finish and emissions. It might cost €2,500 more, but it’s worth the extra spend, particularly if you need the car to do more motorway driving.

One thing to note when considering a hybrid purchase at present: the Government’s €2,500 VRT tax reduction on hybrids is due to finish at the end of the year. From then on the tax breaks will only apply to plug-in hybrid and electric cars. The slight flaw in the Government’s plan – at least from a motorist’s perspective – is that we are not awash with choice when it comes to electric cars, while plug-in hybrids are unlikely to be on public sale for a few more years to come. From a Revenue viewpoint, it is a surprisingly smart tax policy, allowing the Government to claim it is promoting the cleanest technology around, while at the same time dramatically reducing the cost of such an incentive scheme because the selection of cars that qualify will be extremely limited.

Cars such as the Renault e-Fluence and Nissan Leaf will qualify, but with their limited ranges they are unlikely to have the same level of ownership as hybrids such as the Prius. In summary, unless you are confident the Government is going to extend the current scheme in the next Budget, you’d be advised to buy your hybrid in 2010.

From DH: I’m set to return to Ireland upon my retirement. One minor issue has cropped up: we’ll be moving to a house in rural Ireland and as I’ve lived for most of my working life in London I’ve never actually bothered with a car. I had a full licence when I moved here in 1987 but I can neither find it nor remember when it ran out. I’ve been told I have to sit a test again but surely you only have to do that once.

I’m afraid that it’s probably back to school for you. You need to contact the local motor tax office in the area you lived in before you emigrated. Hopefully they will have a record of your licence. The problem is that if it expired more than 10 years ago then you are going to have to complete the driver theory test, get a learner permit and re-sit the test.

You need to be aware that if you are over 60 but under 67, you will get a three-year licence if you pass the test. Over 70 and you will need a certificate of fitness to drive from your doctor.

Send your queries to Motors Helpdesk, The Irish Times, Tara St, Dublin 2 or email motorshelp@irishtimes.com