Over half of vehicles fail the NCT test first time in Cavan

In Cavan, between January to September 2024, over half of vehicles NCT tested failed the examination.

Just shy of 12,000 vehicles were tested in the first nine months of the year with 47.93% experiencing a major fail and 11.27% a dangerous fail. Of all vehicles put through the test, 40.8% passed the test.

The NCT is a check of basic requirements at the time of the test, which assesses components that are visible and accessible.

It does not replace or purport to replace your responsibility to ensure your car is roadworthy at all times or the regular maintenance that a mechanic needs to carry out on your car.

Defects found must be repaired and the car must pass a re-test before the car owner will be issued with an NCT Certificate.

Below are some preparations that will ensure your test goes ahead.

To prepare for the NCT test, you must ensure your car has adequate oil and water and is reasonably clean, especially the underbody. The boot must be empty and the vehicle must be clear of personal belongings.

The vehicle should be at a normal operating temperature prior to arriving at the test centre for inspection and registration plates must comply with current regulations.

Where wheel nuts are not visible, wheel hubcaps must be removed and tyres should be inflated to the correct pressure.

The vehicle engine must be in a fit state to be tested and you may be asked to sign a disclaimer at the test centre. All seat belts and clips should be fully visible.

It is also advised that lights are checked prior to the test. Make sure you have the vehicle registration book (log book), registration certificate or licensing certificate with you when you arrive at the test centre.

You must bring identification (driving licence) with you on the day of the test. The person who brings the car for inspection brings their identification with them. Failure to provide the required identification will result in the vehicle not being issued an NCT certificate at the time of testing.

The test fee is €55.00 (fees are inclusive of VAT and maybe subject to change), plus any cancellation fee (if applicable) is payable by cash, debit card and all major credit cards.

If any of the above checks are not taken care of before the NCT, the centre may be unable to test your vehicle.