NCT & Bribes

JohnCleary

OK I have my NCT tomorrow, 'no problem' I thought. I had to change the front shocks as 1 of them was leaking and a track rod end was worn out. Got all that done this morning, so I Went up to my local tyre centre to get the tracking done, and they were totally booked out. I went *everywhere* else in Galway that I could think of, and they were either booked out or closed

So now I have to put a car through the NCT tomorrow, which the tracking is slightly off

** PLEASE NOTE; IF YOU ARE ONE OF THOSE 'SHAME ON YOU, YOUR WHATS WRONG WITH THE WORLD, ETC.' TYPE OF PEOPLE, DO NOT READ ON, MOVE ONTO THE NEXT POST, DO NOT REPLY... GEDDIT? JUST DONT REPLY, IF YOU REPLY WITH WHAT I ASKED YOU NOT TO REPLY WITH, YOU'RE A RETARD **

Now, I dont condone this type of stuff, but do ya reckon if I left 30euro sticking out of the ashtray that they might pass me? Or is this one of the things that even a nice tester cant pass me on as it comes up on the computer? The only reason I ask is because ive heard, and know people personally who have passed when they shouldnt have by leaving a few quid lying about the car...

-Edit- I know having the tracking off wears the tyres, etc. but im going to get it done first thing on monday, I just wouldnt like to have to splash out an extra 50euro to to another test. I had thought of cancelling the test, but ill still have to pay a 22euro cancelation fee, so for the sake of it, id may aswell put it though

jayok

Ok, moral stuff aside, the real point of the NCT is car safety and pollution levels - these guys are not trying to nail you as such (unless your handle is Unkel and have a faded Baile Atha Cliath ). If your car is unsafe then you should expect it to fail.

You suggest leaving €30 in the ashtray, but a re-test is €27.50. Surely from an economic point of view just get it fixed and re-tested (save yourself €2.50 )

Personally I wouldn't bother. I would turn up expecting to fail. Get the first test done, they you'll know what you need done. Get it fixed and re-test. Then you should pass.

stevenmu

JohnCleary wrote:

Or is this one of the things that even a nice tester cant pass me on as it comes up on the computer?

I think this'd be the case myself, unless the testers have some ability to override the computers readings. I doubt they would as it'd leave the whole system open to claims of abuse, both from the point of view of people bribing to pass, and the NCT companies unfairly failing people to get more money.

BrianD3

There are a lot of urban myths about the NCT floating about. The "cash in the ashtray trick" is one of them.

JohnCleary

jayok wrote:

Ok, moral stuff aside, the real point of the NCT is car safety and pollution levels - these guys are not trying to nail you as such (unless your handle is Unkel and have a faded Baile Atha Cliath ). If your car is unsafe then you should expect it to fail.

You suggest leaving €30 in the ashtray, but a re-test is €27.50. Surely from an economic point of view just get it fixed and re-tested (save yourself €2.50 )

Personally I wouldn't bother. I would turn up expecting to fail. Get the first test done, they you'll know what you need done. Get it fixed and re-test. Then you should pass.

Oh, I thought a re-test was full whack. Just remembered there that its 27.50 if you do it within 30 days of the origional test. Thanks for that... makes sense! I think ill do the honest thing, and fail

JohnCleary

stevenmu wrote:

I think this'd be the case myself, unless the testers have some ability to override the computers readings. I doubt they would as it'd leave the whole system open to claims of abuse, both from the point of view of people bribing to pass, and the NCT companies unfairly failing people to get more money.

Aye, thats what I thought. I've heard stories in regard to emmisions, where they stick the probe (ooh er!) in another exhaust, etc.. don't know how true it is though.

As stated in my above post, im just gonna run it through, but im certain that the tracking is the only thing im going to fail on*

* It was in for its first NCT just over 5 weeks ago, only failed on a front leaking shock and worn track rod end

preilly79

BrianD3 wrote:

There are a lot of urban myths about the NCT floating about. The "cash in the ashtray trick" is one of them.

i have to disagree with you on this one. i know for a fact that e50 given to a certain person in a certain testing centre will get your car passed (provided it isn't a complete banger)

JohnCleary

preilly79 wrote:

i have to disagree with you on this one. i know for a fact that e50 given to a certain person in a certain testing centre will get your car passed (provided it isn't a complete banger)

You AGREE with him then?

preilly79

JohnCleary wrote:

You AGREE with him then?

lol, semantics schemantics.

zod

preilly79 wrote:

i have to disagree with you on this one. i know for a fact that e50 given to a certain person in a certain testing centre will get your car passed (provided it isn't a complete banger)

Agreed .. know of somebody who did this also.. car was failing emissions slightly and despite numerous tweaking they could get not get it below the threshold.

Left with no choice ( in their opinion ) :eek:

kc66

I know a mechanic who has brought the car to the centre for my parents and it always passes even though there are a few small things wrong. I think hes a friend of one of the testers or something. Obviously the mechanic charges a bit extra.

junkyard

If I was you I'd plead my case and explain the situation, if the tracking isn't out that much you might pass anyway. Or else tell the tester you hit one of the many potholes on the way for the test, he'll see the work you've done to the car anyway, its worth a shot. I think the days of bribing are gone with all the hidden cameras and stuff nowadays.

C_Breeze

man just leave the 30 quid there!!!

if he takes it and passes you , all well and good.

if he doesnt take it and fail you, just use the 30 to resit the test after you fix the tracking.

Simple , whats the problem?? -its not like hes gonna call the guards becuase there was 30 quid in your ash tray!

JohnCleary

C_Breeze wrote:

man just leave the 30 quid there!!!

if he takes it and passes you , all well and good.

if he doesnt take it and fail you, just use the 30 to resit the test after you fix the tracking.

Simple , whats the problem?? -its not like hes gonna call the guards becuase there was 30 quid in your ash tray!

Sure there'd be no proff that I was trying to bribe him. We always leave money in our car, etc.

Since its such a minor & fixable problem, im just going to let it go through tomorrow. However, I may have a little chat with the tester, ill explain to him that I have just done all the work, and no-where could put it up for tracking, and that I am going to get it done first thing on Monday. Maybe he might give me grace, maybe not. It's worth a shot

unkel

JohnCleary wrote:

27.50 if you do it within 30 days of the origional test. Thanks for that... makes sense! I think ill do the honest thing, and fail

Remember that the car might fail on other issues too, so at least now you find out if there are any and you can fix them in time for the re-test

JohnCleary

unkel wrote:

Remember that the car might fail on other issues too, so at least now you find out if there are any and you can fix them in time for the re-test

It was in for its first test 5 weeks ago. Only failed on leaking passenger (front) shock and worn track rod end. Both of these were fixed yesterday by myself, and ive given the car a good going over, id be very surprised if there was anything else wrong (Unless a bulb blows)

C_Breeze

just leave the 30 quid there and avoid the hassle ya scabby b****d.

Itll be funny if it fails on more things like unkel suggested. youd be kicking yourself afterwards thinking 'i should have just left the money there';)

MrSinn

I dont even bother with an NCT,my car is only 4 years old and i have serviced on a regular basis so it is safe!I have been stopped 3 times by the garda in the past 2 years and they never say anything about NCT disc

JohnCleary

C_Breeze wrote:

just leave the 30 quid there and avoid the hassle ya scabby b****d.

Itll be funny if it fails on more things like unkel suggested. youd be kicking yourself afterwards thinking 'i should have just left the money there';)

Sure im going to have to get the frickin tracking done anyways! Its not like I can really avoid it, I do like to get full life out of my tyres

The way I see it is, if I leave a bribe the costs will be: 30 bribe (tight) + 49 for the test + 25 tracking eventually = 104 euro

Do the test, fail, get the tracking done, do the re-test: 49 test + 25 tracking + 27.50 re-test = 101.50 .... a whole 2.50 cheaper. I think ill be a scabbu b4stard, do it the honest way and save myself 2.50 in which I buy a breakfast roll on the way home

JohnCleary

MrSinn wrote:

I dont even bother with an NCT,my car is only 4 years old and i have serviced on a regular basis so it is safe!I have been stopped 3 times by the garda in the past 2 years and they never say anything about NCT disc

I want to sell the car soon, its a good selling point

LegacyUser

JohnCleary wrote:

It was in for its first test 5 weeks ago. Only failed on leaking passenger (front) shock and worn track rod end. Both of these were fixed yesterday by myself, and ive given the car a good going over, id be very surprised if there was anything else wrong (Unless a bulb blows)

Hey John, I'm due for NCT the 18th Jan. I am due a service this month anyway so I am dropping in the car to my mechanic on Monday. It was in a serious car crash in August, so I would expect them to "maybe" pick on chasis stuff. I am not sure. I would expect to have to go back a second time. I woudn't bother putting a bribe in the ash tray. You'll probably pass tomorrow if you've rectified the failures since.

All in all, they did not pick out tracking as an issue in your last test 5weeks ago then what makes you think they will this time?


Best of luck!!

Guy:Incognito

preilly79 wrote:

i have to disagree with you on this one. i know for a fact that e50 given to a certain person in a certain testing centre will get your car passed (provided it isn't a complete banger)

Giving it directly to someone in the centre is a bit different than leaving it in the ashtray though. How would the guy know if it was meant as a bribe? A lot of people use the ashtray to keep money in, so they could get done for theft. Youcould always leave it there as a bribe, then , when you pass, compain that someone stole your money:D

JohnCleary

Stekelly wrote:

Giving it directly to someone in the centre is a bit different than leaving it in the ashtray though. How would the guy know if it was meant as a bribe? A lot of people use the ashtray to keep money in, so they could get done for theft. Youcould always leave it there as a bribe, then , when you pass, compain that someone stole your money:D

I said that before as a joke (here on boards) and I got absolutily FLAMED with replies like "Oh yeah ruin it for the rest of us, you suck, burn in hell, etc. etc." :eek:

JohnCleary

bubby wrote:

Hey John, I'm due for NCT the 18th Jan. I am due a service this month anyway so I am dropping in the car to my mechanic on Monday. It was in a serious car crash in August, so I would expect them to "maybe" pick on chasis stuff. I am not sure. I would expect to have to go back a second time. I woudn't bother putting a bribe in the ash tray. You'll probably pass tomorrow if you've rectified the failures since.

All in all, they did not pick out tracking as an issue in your last test 5weeks ago then what makes you think they will this time?


Best of luck!!

Well I know the tracking is off because when I let go of the wheel it almost launches to the left :eek:

What kind of a 'serious crash' were you in? Someone crashed my car in September and the whole front end needed replacing, NCT didnt pick up on any chassis damage

greglo23

MrSinn wrote:

I dont even bother with an NCT,my car is only 4 years old and i have serviced on a regular basis so it is safe!I have been stopped 3 times by the garda in the past 2 years and they never say anything about NCT disc

your car is only due for its first test this year so the gardai would not have asked you for a valid NCT anyway.

greglo23

you could try adjusting the tracking yourself. if you measure from the front centre of the front tyres and the rear centre of the tyres and adjust until its equal you should be near neutral tracking. worth a try !!!

JohnCleary

greglo23 wrote:

you could try adjusting the tracking yourself. if you measure from the front centre of the front tyres and the rear centre of the tyres and adjust until its equal you should be near neutral tracking. worth a try !!!

Ya wha... :eek:

Nah, instead im going to have a chat with the tester in the morning. When I go in im going to explain that I accidently drove over a big dirty pothole, what a shame, after doing the tracking less than 24 hours ago *cough*

I'll explain that I had the shocks replaced, and the track rod end, and had the tracking done straight after, but that its probably been knocked off because of the pothole. I will then promise to get it done straight away, and that im a student and tbh cant afford to be payin more money to come back n get it done again

LegacyUser

JohnCleary wrote:

Well I know the tracking is off because when I let go of the wheel it almost launches to the left :eek:

What kind of a 'serious crash' were you in? Someone crashed my car in September and the whole front end needed replacing, NCT didnt pick up on any chassis damage

Someone whopped into the back of the car. 5000 damage. I haven't had anything done with it (besides crash repairs) since then. I'm half thinking to get it in there for the test and go for my service (and whatever the NCT drags up) then back for the re-test.

unkel

JohnCleary wrote:

It was in for its first test 5 weeks ago

Ok, you didn't mention that before. Why did you not have it re-tested withing 30 days? You could have saved yourself a bit of money there

ds20prefecture

If I were the NCT tester, I'd take the 30 lids and fail your sorry ass, I'm sure you're dumb enough to try again.

You're approach on the issue is fascinating. Your first option is a bribe of €30, instead of
a) Learning how to set the tracking yourself in 15 minutes
b) getting the tracking done pretty much ANYWHERE on your way to the NCT for about €20
c) resitting the test in time for €27.50

I suppose it's all about value.

NB: The above is not meant to be a moralistic position, more a comment on your fecundiary skills and general intelligence. A flame, if you will..

stevenmu

MrSinn wrote:

I dont even bother with an NCT,my car is only 4 years old and i have serviced on a regular basis so it is safe!I have been stopped 3 times by the garda in the past 2 years and they never say anything about NCT disc

Your car is only due it's NCT after it's 4 years old so they wouldn't have asked about it. In fact they probably would only ask if it was 5+ years, mine's an 02 due it's first NCT in may but if I didn't get it and get pulled over after that I could always say it's due in another month or two and I doubt they'd check. I actually got pulled over the other day for not displaying an insurance disc and the Garda in question never mentioned NCT*.

Even if they aren't stopping/penalising people for no NCT, it's always worth having. It's only a matter of time untill someone uses the fact that a car they hit doesn't have it's NCT to get out of at least part of the responsibility for an accident. Even if they don't, if you don't have an NCT and are involved in any kind of incident, you're going to be in a lot more trouble than it takes to just get the NCT.





*I do actually have insurance, I just took the disc out to get the policy number when renewing tax online and forgot to put it back in

Savman

wtf???

Bribing the NCT guy what next?!?!

Why bother! just head up to yer local travellin community camp they'll do you a cert for fifty quid (this I know for certain )

Can't see the whole bribe thing workin unless you personally know somebody working there.

But gas idea

JohnCleary

ds20prefecture wrote:

If I were the NCT tester, I'd take the 30 lids and fail your sorry ass, I'm sure you're dumb enough to try again.

You're approach on the issue is fascinating. Your first option is a bribe of €30, instead of
a) Learning how to set the tracking yourself in 15 minutes
b) getting the tracking done pretty much ANYWHERE on your way to the NCT for about €20
c) resitting the test in time for €27.50

I suppose it's all about value.

NB: The above is not meant to be a moralistic position, more a comment on your fecundiary skills and general intelligence. A flame, if you will..

A Flame that doesnt light my fire, unfortunately. Yer a bit of an eejit arent ya? If I failed, and my money was missing, id just playback recording of the minicam that I have in my car. ZING, catch the guy red-handed stealing money from my car. General intelligence I hear you say? Why thanks, I know I have.

a) The tracking cant be set perfectly by eye. Last time I was under the car getting it tracked on the computer, the fella in the tyre centre must have turned the track rod about half a turn to get the tracking perfect. Your telling me you can do this by eye? :rolleyes:
b) Its a sunday morning - you tell me a place that'll be open and ill go on my way to the test
c) I'm in college, not in my home town. I had exams/had to study etc. I just didnt have the time

smart4rse

JohnCleary

unkel wrote:

Ok, you didn't mention that before. Why did you not have it re-tested withing 30 days? You could have saved yourself a bit of money there

unkel - I know, I know! Read my above post, at the time I was just so busy with exams coming up etc...

Litcagral

JohnCleary wrote:

unkel - I know, I know! Read my above post, at the time I was just so busy with exams coming up etc...

I don't think 99% of NCT mechanics would take the bait as they would be aware that many large companies employ the services of firms which specialise in placing undercover 'plants' to test staff and ensure that everything is above board.

mike65

I feel like locking this thread but won't as I want John to report back after he fails to bribe a tester and has his car failed too.

Mike.

JohnCleary

mike65 wrote:

I feel like locking this thread but won't as I want John to report back after he fails to bribe a tester and has his car failed too.

Mike.

Right well, I would like to thank a previous poster for telling me to 'Learn how to do the tracking myself'. I knew I had nothing to lose as the tracking was way off, so I gave it a shot.

Put it through the NCT at 11:50, it now sits on my driveway with a fresh NCT Cert ... IT PASSED! the reading shows -6m/KM, the limit being +- 14m/km. I'm still going to get the tracking done properly tomorrow, its just handy that I dont have to do a re-test

Mike - Stick that in your pipe and smoke it

LegacyUser

woo hooo .. congrats Can we keep this thread open for my NCT Mike.
I promise .. no under the table bribery

mike65

Mike - Stick that in your pipe and smoke it

Damn! As for home tracking I'm amazed it worked, you must have got lucky.

Mike.

JohnCleary

mike65 wrote:

Damn! As for home tracking I'm amazed it worked, you must have got lucky.

Mike.

Yeah, it was a risk alright
Its still a little out, but its way under the NCT Limit. I can still feel it pulling slightly, so its gotta be slowly, but surely eating the tyres. Gonna go to a tyre centre tomorrow and get it done properly.

Savman

Well done ye mad eejit ye

JohnCleary

Savman wrote:

Well done ye mad eejit ye

'God loves a trier'

In fairness the tracking isint that badly off, just a little. But in fairness they must be leniant with tracking, as mine is -6, and i can still feel it pulling, yet the limit is -14 ... If it was anything over -12 id say your arms would get tired trying to keep the car straight lol

UberNewb

Nice work!

I would have loved to have seen if the bribe trick would have worked!

JohnCleary

UberNewb wrote:

Nice work!

I would have loved to have seen if the bribe trick would have worked!

I've heard stories...!

LostinBlanch

JohnCleary wrote:

Put it through the NCT at 11:50, it now sits on my driveway with a fresh NCT Cert ... IT PASSED!

Yeah but was the ashtray empty?

jayok

JohnCleary wrote:

Put it through the NCT at 11:50, it now sits on my driveway with a fresh NCT Cert ... IT PASSED! the reading shows -6m/KM, the limit being +- 14m/km. I'm still going to get the tracking done properly tomorrow, its just handy that I dont have to do a re-test

Is the clock off on the system, you posted this Yesterday. Did you do your NCT on Sunday?

mike65

the NCT never sleeps!

Mike.

FuzzyWuzzyWazza

jayok wrote:

Is the clock off on the system, you posted this Yesterday. Did you do your NCT on Sunday?

Just a quick quote from post #33 should help with your question.

b) Its a sunday morning - you tell me a place that'll be open and ill go on my way to the test

JohnCleary

jayok wrote:

Is the clock off on the system, you posted this Yesterday. Did you do your NCT on Sunday?

I sure did. When I saw that I had it booked for a Sunday morning I thought there was an error. I even rang up to confirm that the centre was open on a Sunday. Very handy I must say. Now if only banks were this flexible

JohnCleary

LostinBlanch wrote:

Yeah but was the ashtray empty?

There was a circlip from the driveshaft in there. But it was still there when I left! Woohoo!

cianclarke

Anybody know if there is any truth behind one NCT centre being easier than the other? Specifically Waterford being any easier than Youghal? Is it just bull?
Also, will they fail me if my heater isn't working - it's blowing air fine (up onto the front windscreen), it's just not getting hot. NCT is up on the 14th and I don't want this to cost me a fortune, i can't afford it (student).
Danke