NCT Backlog

cena · 30-12-2014 12:45am

tuxy wrote: »

Thanks for the head up about the cancellations becoming available on the system at 23:31.
I just managed to book into my local center for the 12th of next month.
I had checked earlier today and the earliest available was March.

The site shouldn't be updated in the middle of the night. Day time is much better. The nct need a real big shake up

Stheno · 30-12-2014 12:46am

TheSheriff wrote: »

I have no idea - it says ive made two many incorrect searches on the registration that I cannot use the online system

How can I be making incorrect searches - all you do is enter your reg

Wrong date of first registration too many times will lock you out

demanufactured · 30-12-2014 12:46am

Not enough NCT Centres..
There are 148 CVRT centres. Which makes no sense.
The system should be changed to allow independent garages to open test centres.

OldMrBrennan83 · 30-12-2014 12:48am

This post has been deleted.

TheSheriff · 30-12-2014 12:50am

Stheno wrote: »

Just logged on and between Deansgrange, Fonthill, Northpoint 1 and 2 and Greenhills in Dublin there are at least 24 appointments available between tomorrow and Jan 12.

Thanks,

Will ring first thing at 9.00am and hopefully get one!

Stheno · 30-12-2014 12:51am

TheSheriff wrote: »

Thanks,

Will ring first thing at 9.00am and hopefully get one!

Fonthill have one tomorrow at 3:40, most of the rest were for the 12th iirc

demanufactured · 30-12-2014 1:02am

Patww79 wrote: »

As was already discussed, you'd open up everyone to be rode every test if you went to the English system.

?

OldMrBrennan83 · 30-12-2014 1:04am

This post has been deleted.

_Kaiser_ · 30-12-2014 1:48am

I got mine done in Greenhills on Sunday. Due first week of January but was getting dates in late Feb. Rang them the start of Christmas week and he had a load of appointments from the 28th onwards. Passed it too

I also saw a guy walk up to the desk while I was there and they were able to fit him in there and then, so it might be worth chancing your arm at one of the bigger centres like that if you get nowhere with the online system/phone call.

visual · 30-12-2014 2:14am

Patww79 wrote: »

As was already discussed, you'd open up everyone to be rode every test if you went to the English system.

That's a poor excuse
there should never be a monopoly there is nothing stopping a 2nd operator entering the market place

RSA have a lot to answer for !

dieselbug · 30-12-2014 9:54am

The commercial testing system here is probably the nearest comparison to the MOT in the UK and that works ok, especially since it has been overhauled.

demanufactured · 30-12-2014 12:29pm

You should see how well the commercial system is monitored.

Heckler · 30-12-2014 2:25pm

My nct is due 1st of jan but the earliest booking I could get was march. Rang them earlier and was put on a high priority list. Told me I'd get the test in the next 4 weeks.

As to the OPs original question, what do people reckon the Guards stance will be considering theres such a backlog ? Lenient or rake in the cash ?

Robroy36 · 30-12-2014 3:43pm

I have an early NCT next week but the mechanic reckons I will fail without putting circa 500e into the car. My current cert is not out of date until the end of March. If I go in and fail will my current cert be deemed invalid straight away?

Robroy36 · 30-12-2014 3:47pm

Heckler wrote: »

As to the OPs original question, what do people reckon the Guards stance will be considering theres such a backlog ? Lenient or rake in the cash ?

I'd say it will depend on who you get - I don't think they have the resources for a mass crackdown. A KO'ed addict has been blocking the doors to my office for the last few hours in the city center and they still haven't come to move him on. I also didn't see a single check point over the Christmas.

visual · 30-12-2014 3:49pm

Robroy36 wrote: »

I have an early NCT next week but the mechanic reckons I will fail without putting circa 500e into the car. My current cert is not out of date until the end of March. If I go in and fail will my current cert be deemed invalid straight away?

It be enough to pass a Garda check point with paper nct disk in window but it's not road worthy and that is also a legal requirement.

Robroy36 · 30-12-2014 4:40pm

visual wrote: »

It be enough to pass a Garda check point with paper nct disk in window but it's not road worthy and that is also a legal requirement.

Grand, will push it back to March so. Not worth the hassle.

mgbgt1978 · 30-12-2014 9:03pm

Robroy36 wrote: »

I have an early NCT next week but the mechanic reckons I will fail without putting circa 500e into the car. My current cert is not out of date until the end of March. If I go in and fail will my current cert be deemed invalid straight away?

Seeing as nobody came straight out and said it....No, your current NCT is perfectly valid until it's expiry date.
Even if it's a Fail/Dangerous situation your current NCT is still valid ( but you are supposed to make the car safe again before driving it).

BabysCoffee · 02-01-2015 1:49pm

Just booked an NCT today - given a date at the end of March.

Book early folk there is a serious back log!

Odyssey 2005 · 02-01-2015 1:56pm

BabysCoffee wrote: »

Just booked an NCT today - given a date at the end of March.

Book early folk there is a serious back log!

So you get a free test?

bodhi085 · 02-01-2015 1:56pm

My nct is up 24th jan. I had tried to book a date as far back as November but nothing available. I tried and tried each week and eventually I booked for 28th March as they were the only dates I could find each time. I called the nct and was put on an urgent list and to expect a phone call within ten days for an appointment. The March date was cancelled by them after the call.Yesterday I went back online just to check and there was a date for 14th January so I booked that. Happy enough now. It's worth just to keep looking on day to day basis even though it's a pain in the backside. Keep trying is I can say,but make sure to call them in the meantime to be put on the list.

corktina · 02-01-2015 2:20pm

BabysCoffee wrote: »

Just booked an NCT today - given a date at the end of March.

Book early folk there is a serious back log!

I booked on first Jan and there were loads of appts available, I got 5th January. You just don't accept the first one you see and keep dropping in, especially 8 or 9 am. I checked it out three times before getting what I want. There is no backlog in reality, it's just a daft booking system

OldMrBrennan83 · 02-01-2015 2:59pm

This post has been deleted.

TheSheriff · 02-01-2015 3:06pm

Hey guys, OP here

Just wanted to update on this.

Anyway I was away for the new years period but brought the lap top with me (bore!!!) so that I could log on and regularly check the NCT system.

With some luck and after three failed nights, on new years eve at 11.30pm I finally managed to get a test booked for the 14th of Jan in Dublin which is the day my NCT runs out. The test is at about 9.00pm at night (talk about the 11th hour).

The whole system is an absolute disgrace - the only consolation being that I will not be paying for the test.

Still tough, Id rather my test a week earlier and pay the 55e than this farce

corktina · 02-01-2015 3:36pm

Patww79 wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

If I had followed their advice and phoned, I would not have needed to check three times I'm sure.

BabysCoffee · 02-01-2015 3:49pm

Odyssey 2005 wrote: »

So you get a free test?

Why would I get a free test?

corktina · 02-01-2015 4:03pm

you wont now you have accepted a date. Had you phoned them and insisted on a test within 28/30 days (can't recall which) they would be obliged to give you a free test if they could not accommodate you (which they would of course). It pays to read the relevant threads on here.

deandean · 02-01-2015 6:14pm

Here is a good one

My NCT is due in Feb.

I checked online this morning, no appointments online till April.

I phoned NCT.

He said can you be here in 40 minutes?

I said ....uh, sure!

So up I went, passed it and all, I am now NCT'd :cool: :cool: :cool:

flogen · 02-01-2015 6:42pm

Mine is up in the next few days so rang in early-ish December to get a date (later than I should have, I know), was put on the "priority list".

Got a text today with an appointment for 3rd April.

Rang to see if I could get something sooner and the only option is to cancel the date they've given me and go back on the priority list.

It'll be December 2015 by the time I have it NCT'd at this stage.

corktina · 02-01-2015 6:52pm

I'd do exactly that and then try for a freebie.....

mgbgt1978 · 02-01-2015 7:13pm

flogen wrote: »

Mine is up in the next few days so rang in early-ish December to get a date (later than I should have, I know), was put on the "priority list".

Got a text today with an appointment for 3rd April.

Rang to see if I could get something sooner and the only option is to cancel the date they've given me and go back on the priority list.

It'll be December 2015 by the time I have it NCT'd at this stage.

Ring them back and ask them if this test will be free as they couldn't test your car within 28 days. Your man/woman on the phone will get sour with you (only sometimes:D) but you'll get a text within 4/5 days with a new appointment (within 28 days).

Still waiting for evidence of a Free Test....not a refund but an actual pay-no-money-test.

flogen · 02-01-2015 7:29pm

mgbgt1978 wrote: »

Ring them back and ask them if this test will be free as they couldn't test your car within 28 days. Your man/woman on the phone will get sour with you (only sometimes:D) but you'll get a text within 4/5 days with a new appointment (within 28 days).

Still waiting for evidence of a Free Test....not a refund but an actual pay-no-money-test.

Thanks... wish I'd known that before I rang them earlier!

mgbgt1978 · 02-01-2015 7:32pm

...and if they tell you it's too late as you have already accepted this appointment, well.....you could always cancel it (at no cost) and ring back requesting 'a test within 28 days please'.

It's amazing how the mention of a 'Free Test' seems to make appointments appear.

TheSheriff · 02-01-2015 8:16pm

When I logged in to book my change that it wouldnt let me enter payment details.

Instead it said as there is no charge for your next test there is no need for payment details.

I dont plan on paying anyway. They took about 6 weeks to get an appointment

honda boi · 02-01-2015 8:57pm

I rang the 17th of December and was told the next date is in march. So they said they'd put me on a priority list and should get a test date soon since my nct expires early january.,but haven't heard a thing back:S

cml387 · 02-01-2015 9:35pm

If only there was a date of expiry put on the disk so that you knew well in advance when the NCT was due.

Odyssey 2005 · 02-01-2015 9:39pm

cml387 wrote: »

If only there was a date of expiry put on the disk so that you knew well in advance when the NCT was due.

That would indeed be a good idea:D. I'll pop that into their suggestion box on my next visit in 2017

TheSheriff · 02-01-2015 9:40pm

cml387 wrote: »

If only there was a date of expiry put on the disk so that you knew well in advance when the NCT was due.

Hilarious

Round of applause please folks for this guy

bazz26 · 02-01-2015 9:41pm

You can put the car reg into their website and it will tell you when it's due:

https://www.nct.ie/booking_app/Bookings/NCTReminder.aspx?language=english

Odyssey 2005 · 02-01-2015 9:43pm

TheSheriff wrote: »

Hilarious

Round of applause please folks for this guy

:D:D:D

SupraSonic_26 · 02-01-2015 11:02pm

So basically when if your nct is up in 2016 might aswell book it in advance, i heard soemthing about them changing the law now if your nct is up and your booked in you get a fine or soemthing how does that work?

The_Morrigan · 03-01-2015 1:10am

I was trying in mid December to get a retest booked over the phone. I got a slot for tomorrow (well today now) from the agent at the time as it was the next available slot. I just checked the website for opening/closing times and it says the centre is closed - gonna head up tomorrow hoping the website is wrong, but can they fast track a new test date because they booked me into a centre that is listed as closed on the date they gave me.

My nct expires the end of this month so can't afford getting stuck in another backlog.

vr7 · 03-01-2015 1:18am

TheSheriff wrote: »

Hey guys,

I know there was a recent thread on this but it has been closed.

Just wanted to ask has anyone had any experience whereby their NCT has expired and they have been stopped by the guards?

Basically my story is I rang the NCT ~28th November 2014 as my NCT was up on the 14th of January 2015.

I was told I was put on a waiting list. I rang back a few times in December as I had heard nothing and was told I was still on the priority list.

Got a text on the 23rd of December to say my NCT was booked for the 16th of March 2015! (two months after it expires)

I finally got onto them this morning and was informed yes its the next available date ( Ive asked for anywhere in Dublin or Cork) and the most I can be offered is a free test on that date.

I just think its a bit outrageous having given them approx 7 weeks notice of the cert expiring.

I will undoubtedly have to drive the car without a valid cert if this date sticks as I need it for work and couldn't do without for three months.

Anybody had this experience where they were driving without a valid cert due to the NCT backlog?

(BTW not looking for an argument on my own organisational skills and how I should have contacted them sooner)

People who are overdue tests are getting priority over people who's cars are nearly up for test.

My car is overdue a test and i rang the ncts and got text a date for appointment in january.

Last sunday i got stopped at a checkpoint and the garda on duty checked the screen and never passed any remarks that id no nct displayed.

If stopped just show them your text message. At least it shows your getting it done.

JaseBelleVie · 03-01-2015 2:15am

My NCT is due on the 22nd February. I just had a mini heart attack after reading the horror stories here.

Desperately clawed around a load of NCT Centres near me. Nothing. Nada. Zip.

Went further afield. And got very, very lucky. Arklow down in Wicklow and in on the 16th January. And not some ungodly hour either. Will have to take a bit of time off work to get down to it, but I'm just glad I got the f*cking thing booked in on time!

Lucky sod.

OldMrBrennan83 · 03-01-2015 2:21am

This post has been deleted.

beertons · 03-01-2015 8:53am

Up on January 21st here, got an appointment for March 15th.

The_Morrigan · 03-01-2015 10:23am

The_Morrigan wrote: »

I was trying in mid December to get a retest booked over the phone. I got a slot for tomorrow (well today now) from the agent at the time as it was the next available slot. I just checked the website for opening/closing times and it says the centre is closed - gonna head up tomorrow hoping the website is wrong, but can they fast track a new test date because they booked me into a centre that is listed as closed on the date they gave me.

My nct expires the end of this month so can't afford getting stuck in another backlog.

So the website was wrong - they were open. Got there 20 mins before my 8am slot and there was already a queue of cars. Definitely worth availing of their early testing option to avoid December/January madness.

Triceratops Ballet · 03-01-2015 11:50am

I'm in the nct centre in Naas and its deathly quiet. I arrived 20 mins early and the car went straight in. A bloke arrived just before me with no appointment and his car is in there now. so it might be worth it to just turn up

boardsuser1 · 03-01-2015 12:32pm

dottie_lottie wrote: »

I'm in the nct centre in Naas and its deathly quiet. I arrived 20 mins early and the car went straight in. A bloke arrived just before me with no appointment and his car is in there now. so it might be worth it to just turn up

I turned up once for a retest with no appointment, they took the car in straight away and it passed, that was in Cork

knotknowbody · 03-01-2015 6:27pm

mgbgt1978 wrote: »

Ring them back and ask them if this test will be free as they couldn't test your car within 28 days. Your man/woman on the phone will get sour with you (only sometimes:D) but you'll get a text within 4/5 days with a new appointment (within 28 days).

Still waiting for evidence of a Free Test....not a refund but an actual pay-no-money-test.

Free tests are rare but do happen, my sister got a free test this year, she tried to book online two weeks before due date, no slot available until six weeks after due so she called them and they were giving her the same slot on the phone as was available on the website.

She refused that slot and asked to be put on the priority/cancellation list and was told she would get a text with an appointment within 10 days, (she never mentioned free test or 28 days or anything like that because she didn't know about it) when she received the text on the 9th day the appointment was for four weeks after the due date so well outside the 28 day window for a free test, she showed up for the test passed and when collecting the cert she offered her card to pay and the guy told her the computer said it was free due to the delay with getting the appointment, she did not have to pay anything, it was a pleasant surprise to her.

My car is due at the moment and I'm following the same strategy to see can I get it free, have a test coming up in a few days but I called in late November to book so we'll see what happens.

NCT Backlog

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