NCT questions

ergonomics

Hi all,

Have my NCT later on today and I have a couple of questions as it's my first time putting a car through.

On the check list it says the car should be reasonably clean. The inside of my car is 'reasonably' clean. A bit of dirt from shoes but I'm going to hoover it quickly later. The outside is understandably dirty though. I haven't washed it since I bought it in July and the bottom of the doors are fairly dirty especially since driving back and forth from college. It's basically what you would expect from spray in this weather. Should I get it washed? I'd feel like an idiot going in today, when it's bucketing down, and asking for a car wash. As well, I had to book it in a neighbouring county so I have a 40 minute drive to get there. I assume they want it clean for their convenience, and it isn't a failable offence.

Secondly, I'm wondering about fluid levels. My oil and water are full, as is specified in the check list. My power steering fluid is halfway between minimum and full and I think it's my coolant that is also at minimum. Can I fail for that? I went to get p/s fluid yesterday in Halfords. The knowledgable salesman told me any p/s fluid will do but the one he sold me was for any car, except Ford and I drive a Fiesta. Just went back and exchanged it for Ford fluid but the stuff they sold me is red and the fluid in my car is blue. I could go back again and get both fluids but I have work until 4 and am don't trust them at all now.

Thanks!

mickdw

Get the car washed at least and make sure no bulbs are gone and do top up all the fluids. Make sure you take off wheel trims if fitted and also pull out any seat belt anchors that may have dropped down between the back seat base and back rest just so you dont annoy the tester. Im sure they could refuse to look at it if it was overly dirty

david

Jesus wash it! They need to do a visual inspection to check for sharp edges/rust so I'd imagine it'd be pretty tough after 7 months of dirt.

Drive it through the rev range to the centre ie shift at 4-5k rpm (depending on car). This will help clear carbon deposits for emissions testing.

gofaster_s13

An overly dirty car will not be tested, if steering parts suspension parts etc. are covered in muck + s**t haw can the tester be expected to see faults.

Avns1s

If the underside is relatively clean, it will be fine. Only bother washing the car body, if it's thick with dirt. The car wash won't do the underbody anyway, which is really what the testers need to be able to see.

DublinDilbert

In the north they insist on the underside of the car being cleaned, before they will even test it.

In the south, it they can't inspect it, they know no one else has inspected it either, so it leaves them scope to fail it. This happens all the time with flexible brake pipes.

So before putting your car in for the test, clean down all the flexible brake pipes, make it easier for the tester to inspect them. Also when he sees them all clean, he will think a mechanic has inspected them too, so he's not just going to fail them for the sake of it, as he might have an argument on his hands.

Plug

1)Clean
2)Remove hub caps
3)Take any stuff you might have in the boot out.
4)Check lights + levels.
5)Check operation of horn, washers, seatbelts, door handles, windows, wipers etc
6)If the wipers are leaving streak marks get them replaced.
7)Check the tires and see what there like.

ergonomics

So the car failed on a couple of things. Would any one have an estimate on how much it would cost to get a wheel bearing done and the brake lines on both sides replaced? Are they big jobs time wise? As in, would they take long to do?

Darragh29

ergonomics wrote: »

So the car failed on a couple of things. Would any one have an estimate on how much it would cost to get a wheel bearing done and the brake lines on both sides replaced? Are they big jobs time wise? As in, would they take long to do?

Is it front brake hoses you failed for or rear brake hoses or rear brake pipes???

Is the wheel bearing front or rear???

EDIT: And what make/model is it???

ergonomics

Sorry, I thought price would be standard.

The car is a Ford Fiesta 1.25L, 1999.

From the sheet I failed:
Wheel Bearings - Worn - Offside Rear
Brake Lines/Hoses - Flexible Brake Pipe - Perished - Nearside Front (left)
Brake Lines/Hoses - Flexible Brake Pipe - Perished -Offside Front (right)

Darragh29

ergonomics wrote: »

Sorry, I thought price would be stand

The car is a Ford Fiesta 1.25L, 1999.

From the sheet I failed:
Wheel Bearings - Worn - Offside Rear
Brake Lines/Hoses - Flexible Brake Pipe - Perished - Nearside Front (left)
Brake Lines/Hoses - Flexible Brake Pipe - Perished -Offside Front (right)

They're easy enough issues to resolve, you should get out of that for around the 150-200 Euro mark I think...

Darragh29

ergonomics wrote: »

Sorry, I thought price would be standard.

Afraid not, the cost of parts varies hugely along with the amount of labour involved. I'd suggest your requirements above would take around an hour to resolve and parts would cost around 70 Euro.

Pauliwalnuts

Here's a quick question.

My NCT is due next Friday & yesterday the Mrs managed to take a turn too tight in an indoor carpark & scrape the back door & wing off a wall.
Scratch marks along the back door & wing & alot of dents on the wing just above the tyre.

It looks nasty but is not an issue for the mechanical well being of the car. Got a price of € 220 to respray the door & wing and take out any dents from a body shop today.

I was wondering though if something like that would cause the car to fail the NCT. Should I go & get the work done beforehand. If possible I'd prefer to wait a few weeks or so I can lay aside the cash as it's an unexpected cost I hadn't budgeted for.

What are ye're thoughts ??

zilog_jones

Body panels will fail for being "missing, insecure, rusted or damaged to such an extent as to leave sharp edges." More info in the NCT manual: http://www.ncts.ie/nctmanual.pdf