NCT broke my car!

gman2k

I'm not going to name where, cos this might have to go legal...
Went for the NCT, and was waiting for the car to come through, next thing an announcement for me to go back to the car.:mad:
Went outside - the car was stopped on the ramp outside the building (hadn't gone inside at all).
I asked what was the problem, and was told the car wouldn't start.
So I went over (car is an auto) and noticed that the gear stick was not sitting in Park properly. Tried turning over the engine, but no go.:eek:
I released the parking brake and the car started to roll back. It shouldn't do this if the auto box is in park.
I knew straight away that the gear lever had been forced back up out of drive up through the gates. I reckon the marshal had switched off the engine whilst in Drive, and then tried to push the stick into park without putting down the brake pedal.
Was really snookered now, cos the car will only start in Park, and you can't remove the key unless it's in park.
Got the manager out, and they told me that the marshal had reported that the car had just cut out! I didn't believe a word of it, and told them so.
Long and short of it, got the car towed out by a recovery to an auto box specialist, and they confirmed to me that the gear stick had been forced, bending the connector, and breaking an electronic unit on top of the box.
Got it the bend unit fixed, got a new electronic part, got the oil and filter changed also on their recommendation for the princely sum of €700.:mad:
The car was perfect when I delivered it to the NCT, and I end up seriously out of pocket.
I filled out a customer complaint form, took the names of everyone involved and took photos. I'm getting a report done out by the specialist on what they found and the cause of same. They also told me they had an Audi TT in for repair - damaged by an NCT centre, with a bill for parts of €2.5k, so I don't feel too bad.
What's yer thoughts on Mr. NCT shelling out the bucks to pay for the damage caused to my car?
Any experiences?
Cheers

OoSKYLINEoO

Don't you sign a disclaimer about damage to your car when you put it through the test? Regardless that really is pretty awful...

FedFrank2

gman2k wrote: »

I'm not going to name where, cos this might have to go legal...
Went for the NCT, and was waiting for the car to come through, next thing an announcement for me to go back to the car.:mad:
Went outside - the car was stopped on the ramp outside the building (hadn't gone inside at all).
I asked what was the problem, and was told the car wouldn't start.
So I went over (car is an auto) and noticed that the gear stick was not sitting in Park properly. Tried turning over the engine, but no go.:eek:
I released the parking brake and the car started to roll back. It shouldn't do this if the auto box is in park.
I knew straight away that the gear lever had been forced back up out of drive up through the gates. I reckon the marshal had switched off the engine whilst in Drive, and then tried to push the stick into park without putting down the brake pedal.
Was really snookered now, cos the car will only start in Park, and you can't remove the key unless it's in park.
Got the manager out, and they told me that the marshal had reported that the car had just cut out! I didn't believe a word of it, and told them so.
Long and short of it, got the car towed out by a recovery to an auto box specialist, and they confirmed to me that the gear stick had been forced, bending the connector, and breaking an electronic unit on top of the box.
Got it the bend unit fixed, got a new electronic part, got the oil and filter changed also on their recommendation for the princely sum of €700.:mad:
The car was perfect when I delivered it to the NCT, and I end up seriously out of pocket.
I filled out a customer complaint form, took the names of everyone involved and took photos. I'm getting a report done out by the specialist on what they found and the cause of same. They also told me they had an Audi TT in for repair - damaged by an NCT centre, with a bill for parts of €2.5k, so I don't feel too bad.
What's yer thoughts on Mr. NCT shelling out the bucks to pay for the damage caused to my car?
Any experiences?
Cheers

wow, thats amazing. ive never heard of anyone having a problem like this but i would certainly take it further, its quite clear that theyre the ones that broke your car!

-Chris-

Advice to anyone who encounters stuff like this - before you get the repairs done, get an Independent Assessor to have a look at the car and write you a report. Their evidence will stand up in court, and will enable you to get your car repaired, safe in the knowledge that the condition of your car is properly recorded.

It also signals to the garage that you know what you're doing and that you're serious.

http://iaea-online.org/Ireland.asp?flash=YF

gman2k

Thanks AudiChris, I hope it wasn't your TT that got the NCT treatment...
I'm hoping that the report that the specialist is to give me will cover me fully.
They only do automatic transmissions, and specialize in the same marque as my car.
Can't do much better than that????
Cheers

Oilrig

gman,

your specialist may be the biz in automatic gearboxes but he may also be a far cry from an "Expert Witness" in a legal case.

Most professional assessors are well versed in how to handle a court case, this can be crucial.

I would advise you to use an experienced assessor to represent you, he may draw on the technical expertise of the auto box guy, but he will have the required nous if he has to take the stand as a witness on your behalf.

A decent solicitor will be able to source an experienced and proven assessor easily.

skibum

OoSKYLINEoO wrote: »

Don't you sign a disclaimer about damage to your car when you put it through the test? Regardless that really is pretty awful...

I think that disclaimer only applies to diesel cars. Had to sign it for my tdi, but not for for my better halfs petrol scenic.

gman2k

skibum wrote: »

I think that disclaimer only applies to diesel cars. Had to sign it for my tdi, but not for for my better halfs petrol scenic.

Mine is a 3L TDI....
The disclaimer is to ensure the tdi engine is ok for the testing, specifically that the timing belt is ok, and oil levels are correct. The engine is stressed during the purge, and the high revs could break the belt if it hasn't been replaced according to schedule. (mechanics please correct me???)

Disclaimer is not for - if we break your car driving it up to the door, tough luck.....

Oilrig

Disclaimer is irrelevant in law. Its only a meant as a deterrent.

stratos

They left the coolant filler cap loose on 5 series (Wifes) a few years ago as it needed three clicks to be closed fully. the coolant bled off over the next three days stranding me in town. Luckily I noticed the guage climbing.

I went back to the station I acted innocent and asked them if they checked coolant level, they confirmed they did. I asked if they removed the coolant cap they said they didn't I asked how did they check the level then. They said the 5 series had a level sight on the rad (it does).

I then asked him how they got a reading off my car, I showed him under the bonnet the car was old and the rad sight unreadable. Oh in that case we would remove the cap and look.


ahhhrrgh close call.

Sorry to hear what happened to you gman2k, wouldn't be the first time an NCT centre has wrecked a car.

Had car in a few months back, when I heard them bringing it in I thought they were going to take it for a lap round the carpark. Then when they brought it in all the young fella's there were round my car, looking at the engine and the sound system, fair enough I thought, not every day you get a car like mine in. But when they started revving the hell out of it and this before the emission check enough was enough, they revved it up so much, up to 4500 - 5000rpm that it was dumping so hard it was spitting flames out the back of it and the window in the waiting room was moving with the noise out of it :mad:.
I went to the manager and told him to tell them to stop it, "there just checking it out" he said, didn't like it when I told him I was a mechanic and knew exactly what rpm it was at and even if they were checking the emissions the rpm was sitting way too high for the check.

When they had it on the suspension test unit ("the rumbler"), out of all the cars I've ever brought to be tested I've never seen one be on it for so long or tested so hard. Ended up they busted the two back shocks, oil was pissing out of them :mad:. So the car failed on that.
Answer I got was that I must of been driving hard for months on very bad roads and that they must of been on the way out, should of seen the face on the guy when I should him the receipt for them, that they were brand new, only in a day and had done only 22 miles.

I got onto the head place and cut a long story short I got an apology, refunded the test, got my disc and got money for the supension, and from the sounds of the person I was talking to this wasn't the first time they had an incident like this.

stratos

Thats a terrifying story. wow. good for you.

I actually don't nct my car but as the manufacturer says revving the engine with the gearbox in neutral or park will damage the box.

I deffo don't.

Odd thing here too I have a (another)car thats 22 years old. I was told in an nct centre that they don't test them, only cars up to 20 years old. They have no figures for cars over 20 years old. The website says all cars up to 30 years old. and no nct date is mentioned on the tax renewal.

All cars taxed as vintage are not tested, so some NCT fella's will tell you (some insurance companies class certain cars as vintage at 25+ years). For NCT purposes, a vehicle that is more than 30 years old is classed as 'vintage' and does not have to be tested. Classic cars are those cars aged 25 years or older and they must be tested until they are 30 years old. Car over 30 years you don't pay VRT

Go figure

Car-vans that have their rear side windows blocked off and are privately taxed are currently exempt from the NCT. (Car-vans that don't have their rear side windows blocked off and are privately taxed are classed as cars and are subject to the NCT).

congo_90

@gman2k that sounds horrible! i wuda opened up a can of worms and some whip ass on em all!!!

@hellboy99 fancy coming NCT with me? lol i don't trust em and if things go wrong a mechanic on hand would be handy!

Sangre

OoSKYLINEoO wrote: »

Don't you sign a disclaimer about damage to your car when you put it through the test? Regardless that really is pretty awful...

a disclaimer on a process you have to take part in by law if you wish to drive your car?

congo_90

congo_90 wrote: »

@hellboy99 fancy coming NCT with me? lol i don't trust em and if things go wrong a mechanic on hand would be handy!

If I had the time , I haven't even got the time to go myself anymore these days, nor do I want to go near them.

stratos

business must be good.

flat out !

ninty9er

What kind of idiot employs a tester that (clearly) doesn't have any fucking idea how to drive an auto.

I have severe doubts about NCTS, particularly after a friend of mine passed his driving test this afternoon:mad::mad:

Avns1s

ninty9er wrote: »

I have severe doubts about NCTS, particularly after a friend of mine passed his driving test this afternoon:mad::mad:

How does passing a driving test relate to the NCT?

Mr. Presentable

hellboy99 wrote: »

Car-vans that have their rear side windows blocked off and are privately taxed are currently exempt from the NCT. (Car-vans that don't have their rear side windows blocked off and are privately taxed are classed as cars and are subject to the NCT).

Because they are commercials. They still do a roadworthiness test at an approved centre - every year - the DOE test.

ninty9er

Avns1s wrote: »

How does passing a driving test relate to the NCT?

He did his test at a NCTS Centre (where tha pass rate is 80% plus whereas the other 2 Limerick centres have sub 50% pass rates)

I'm surprised the tester even got in the car the amount of dents and dings the guy put in it over the last 2 months!

chamar

Does anyone know where the law stands on disclaimers?

When you sign one, as in this case, are you legally screwed when the worst happens?

L1011

ninty9er wrote: »

I'm surprised the tester even got in the car the amount of dents and dings the guy put in it over the last 2 months!

The external condition of the car has nothing to do with its driveability though, the car I did my test in had sustained massive crash damage to the drivers side that hadn't been repaired yet (it had, however, passed the NCT since) - and I passed.

gman2k

CASE CLOSED:
NCT have issued a cheque, but not accepted responsibility, but in the interest of good customer relations.......
That's fine with me!
Cheers guys, and keep a close on on them during the tests!

mondeo

gman2k wrote: »

CASE CLOSED:
NCT have issued a cheque, but not accepted responsibility, but in the interest of good customer relations.......
That's fine with me!
Cheers guys, and keep a close on on them during the tests!

Grand Job!

seamus

Sangre wrote: »

a disclaimer on a process you have to take part in by law if you wish to drive your car?

The disclaimer is not to do with damage to the car.

The disclaimer asks you to confirm that your car is in a fit state to be tested and that any damage arising as a result of the testing (such as engine or shock damage) cannot be the fault of the NCTS.

This differs from the OP's case, where the damage caused didn't arise out of the tests being conducted.