Most NCT failures are for simple things you could have spotted and fixed at home in ten minutes: a dead bulb, a worn wiper or a warning light. Here’s a checklist to run through before your NCT.
How the NCT works
The National Car Test is Ireland’s roadworthiness test. Cars are first tested at four years old, then every two years, and every year once they’re over ten years old. Book at ncts.ie, and check the site for what to bring on the day.
Lights
- Headlights: dipped and main beam, both sides
- Sidelights and rear lights
- Brake lights, including the high-level centre one
- Indicators, front, rear and side repeaters, plus hazards
- Rear fog light
- Reverse light
- Number plate lights
- Headlight lenses clear, not cracked or cloudy
Tip Get someone to stand behind the car while you press the brake, or reverse up to a garage door or window and watch the reflection.
Tyres and wheels
- Tread depth at least 1.6 mm across the tread. More is far safer, especially in the wet.
- No cuts, bulges or exposed cords, including on the inner sidewalls
- Matching size and type on each axle
- Wheel nuts all present
Visibility
- Windscreen free of chips and cracks, especially in the area the wipers clear in front of the driver
- Wipers clear the screen without smearing. Blades are cheap, so replace them if in doubt.
- Washers spray properly and the bottle is full
- Mirrors present, secure and not cracked
Inside the car
- No warning lights on the dash once the engine is running: engine, ABS, airbag and anything else. Cars like my C4 Grand Picasso have an electronic parking brake, and a fault light for it counts too.
- Horn works
- All seatbelts latch, release and retract properly
- Doors open from inside and outside
- Seats secure
Brakes, steering and suspension
- Brakes pull the car up straight, with no grinding or pulling to one side
- Parking brake holds the car on a slope
- No knocking over bumps, which often means worn drop links or bushes
- No excessive play in the steering
Under the car and bonnet
- No fluid leaks: oil, coolant, brake fluid or power steering fluid
- Exhaust secure, with no blowing or leaks
- Fluid levels topped up
Emissions (diesels)
Diesel tip Diesels get a smoke test. Give the car a good long run before the test (20 to 30 minutes on a motorway or open road), so the engine is fully warm and the DPF has had a chance to clean itself. Arrive with the engine hot. A car that’s only done short town trips for weeks is far more likely to struggle.
Paperwork and plates
- Number plates readable, correct format, and not cracked or faded
- Bring what the NCTS asks for when you book
If it fails
Don’t panic. You get a list of what failed, and you can usually fix the simple items yourself and book a re-test. Many of the most common failure items, such as bulbs, wipers and drop links, are easy DIY jobs with a basic tool kit.
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