READERS’ QUESTIONS

As night follows day, road tax will surely rise in April 2019 but do you know by how much?

Paul Sweeney, Bristol

Rates for new petrol cars, and diesel cars complying with the new RDE 2 emissions standard (none will be certified as complying until 2020), will rise by £5 for models emitting between 90g/km and 150g/km CO2. Rises are greater beyond that, with cars emitting over 255g/km paying £65 more. New, non-rde 2 diesels (that’s all of them) will pay £5 more in a range from 75g/km to 130g/km CO2 and a higher figure beyond that, peaking at £65 more for a diesel emitting over 255g/km. Meanwhile, the fixed standard rate will increase from £140 to £145 for petrol and diesel cars. The five-year premium rate will rise by £10 to £320. Many older cars registered before 1 April 2017 will also incur a tax rise of between £5 and £15, although those emitting less than 120g/km CO2 will be spared. JE

The roof of my BMW 3 Series convertible is getting unreliable but I don’t want to get rid of the car. Who can help?

Chris Finch, Wiltshire

We can’t vouch for their work but try Cayman (caymanautos.co.uk), specialists in convertible hood repairs and winners of a 2018 Queen’s Award for Enterprise. They they must be doing something right.