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THE NCT, OR National Car Test, is one of those unavoidable things every driver – and car – must face.
No doubt you’d rather skip the country than watch your precious motor being hauled in and checked from every angle, but unfortunately the NCT is compulsory for all vehicles registered after 1980, usually every two years. If caught using a car without a valid NCT certificate you could get three to five penalty points and a €60 to €90 fine.
One of the most daunting things about the test for most car owners is the high failure rate. Last year, over 757,000 NCT failures were issued, equating to 51% of all tests carried out.
So how can you prepare your car ahead of time to avoid walking away with a ‘fail’ certificate and a re-test date? Read on for the top NCT failure points, plus advice on how to prevent against them…
1. Tyre tread depth and damage
If your tyre tread depth is below the legal 1.6mm limit, if there is damage like cuts or bulges to your tyres, or if your four tyres are of mis-matched sizes or types, you can be almost certain of failing the NCT.
Luckily, these issues are easy to fix. Just make sure the tyres are correctly inflated to the manufacturer’s guidelines, that they don’t have any visible damage, and that your tyres are the same type/size on each axle (front and back). Tyres also need to have a visible E-mark, denoting EU approval.
Your car will fail the NCT if there is more than 30 per cent imbalance between left-hand and right-hand suspension. It’s not just imbalance though: loose, worn, corroded, cracked, damaged, worn or deformed parts will also catch testers’ attention. If you suspect a front suspension issue, it’s best to consult a professional.
3. Brake line or hose problems
The brake hose transmits brake fluid under hydraulic pressure to the brake callipers or wheel cylinder. It’s essential that your brake hose is in good working order, not just for the NCT but for brake function in general. Perished, kinked, damaged or rusted break hoses will fail the NCT. These can be checked and repaired by a mechanic if necessary.
4. Headlamp aim
Unsplash
Unsplash
Depending on your car’s make and model, your headlamps will either be checked for main beam or dip beam. You can properly align the headlamps yourself, but if in doubt, have them aligned by a professional just to make sure they do pass the NCT. Yes, there’s a fee, but it’ll cost you more if you need to have the NCT re-done.
5. Faulty or missing stop lamps
If your car’s stop lamps are faulty, missing or not clearly visible, you could have an NCT failure on your hands. Luckily, this is a pretty easy problem to check yourself. Ensure your stop lights are brighter than your tail lights, that they shine red, that the dimensions match, that they are securely mounted, and that there are no lens cracks.
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Cheapest way to check most of the above problems and be 100% sure is to just put the car thru the nct….. Not a well thought out article. A garage is going to charge you far for than €50 to check a few things and still no guarantee…
@David Huston: the point he’s making is that these pre ncts offered by garages are a waste of money. The NCT centres have equipment that most garages don’t and give a very rigorous test of the car. Best bet is to check the obvious items, put the car thru the nct and then fix whatever they find wrong
the nct is a joke when you consider insurance companies won’t insure older cars and/or demand very high rates. if they are supposed to be safe after going through the NCT why should this be?
@Let free speech live: I disagree. Years ago many more cars had bald tyres, broken headlights, faulty brakes etc. As the son of someone who had to examine crashes I know :)
@William Grogan: The NCT is a double edged sword, I agree with your comment as it gets people to maintain their vehicle at least once a year, but the test itself is a joke and is flawed. A girl in Cobh lost her life because her freshly nct’ed car had no functioning shock absorbers as they were all imbalanced to the same levels
@Let free speech live: that was a tragic case. But people are responsible for their own safety. You should keep your car maintained regularly for safety’s sake as well as to prolong the longevity of the car
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