Opel Astra Coupe Bertone - Failed NCT

brianon · 26-03-2009 11:52am #1

Guys,

My car just failed its NCT this morning. Its an '01 Opel Astra Coupe Bertone.

Reason for failure was 'obstruction'. Basically, the car is down as being a five seater and they could only find two belts in the back.

My wife dropped it in and not me as I'm at work but is that right ? Are they a five seater or a four seater ? Should there be three belts in the back seats or two ?

I can't check until tonight. This is weird !?

Dan_B · 26-03-2009 12:18pm

I used to have one and I am almost certain that it had 3 seatbelts in the back.

brianon · 26-03-2009 12:21pm

Thanks for that.

I've had it 3 years now but have never had a reason to be in the back so never noticed. Hopefully its just stuck under the seat or something.

Alun · 26-03-2009 12:25pm

brianon wrote: »

Thanks for that.

I've had it 3 years now but have never had a reason to be in the back so never noticed. Hopefully its just stuck under the seat or something.

Probably .. they're notorious for getting hidden down between the crack between the seat back and cushion, especially when the back seat is folded down, although, in fairness, the preparation guide for the NCT is quite explicit about making sure all fitted seat belts are visible before presenting a car for the test.

brianon · 26-03-2009 1:43pm

Alun wrote: »

...the preparation guide for the NCT is quite explicit about making sure all fitted seat belts are visible before presenting a car for the test.

I know I know

My own fault if it is down there somewhere :rolleyes:

rocknchef · 26-03-2009 1:48pm

But surely its been through the nct before been 01? has to be there

brianon · 26-03-2009 2:04pm

rocknchef wrote: »

But surely its been through the nct before been 01? has to be there

Yeah. This would be its third nct I guess. It MUST have a 3rd belt. Must be just stuck under the seat. I'll find it tonight and my wife will kick the snot out of me :eek:

PauloMN · 26-03-2009 2:08pm

I had one and I'm certain it had no centre lap belt. I'm sure it should be down as a 4 seater on your VLC.

brianon · 26-03-2009 2:11pm

PauloMN wrote: »

I had one and I'm certain it had no centre lap belt. I'm sure it should be down as a 4 seater on your VLC.

awwww....crap. NCT guy told her it is registered as a 5 seater. I'll just have to check it all out tonight.

PauloMN · 26-03-2009 2:11pm

As for it passing before, I wouldn't read anything into that. The NCT is pretty inconsistent from what I've seen.

PauloMN · 26-03-2009 2:14pm

brianon wrote: »

awwww....crap. NCT guy told her it is registered as a 5 seater. I'll just have to check it all out tonight.

I remember that the coupé didn't seem to be on a lot of systems when I bought mine new in '01. Trying to explain what it was to insurance companies etc. was a pain. Maybe it was recorded as a 1.8 3 door hatch or something, which would be a 5 seater.

I still have a copy of my old VLC for that car at home. Will check mine and see what it says as regards # of seats.

brianon · 26-03-2009 2:16pm

PauloMN wrote: »

I remember that the coupé didn't seem to be on a lot of systems when I bought mine new in '01. Trying to explain what it was to insurance companies etc. was a pain. Maybe it was recorded as a 1.8 3 door hatch or something, which would be a 5 seater.

I still have a copy of my old VLC for that car at home. Will check mine and see what it says as regards # of seats.

Cheers. Just out of interest...If it is a 4 seater but the VLC has it as a 5....what would I do then ?

syboit · 26-03-2009 2:17pm

PauloMN wrote: »

I had one and I'm certain it had no centre lap belt. I'm sure it should be down as a 4 seater on your VLC.

I think your right, had only 2 belts in the back.

PauloMN · 26-03-2009 2:23pm

brianon wrote: »

Cheers. Just out of interest...If it is a 4 seater but the VLC has it as a 5....what would I do then ?

I suppose a new VLC would need to be issued with the data updated to 4 instead of 5. It's the crowd in Shannon, the address will be on top of the VLC. Assuming that is the problem, I'd call them and ask.

I'll try to remember to dig out the copy of that old VLC. It's great being a hoarder...

... I think I still have the original Opel brochure for that car!

brianon · 26-03-2009 2:25pm

PauloMN wrote: »

I suppose a new VLC would need to be issued with the data updated to 4 instead of 5. It's the crowd in Shannon, the address will be on top of the VLC. Assuming that is the problem, I'd call them and ask.

I'll try to remember to dig out the copy of that old VLC. It's great being a hoarder... ... I think I still have the original Opel brochure for that car!

Cheers. That would be appreciated.

Would there be much hassle getting the VLC changed ? Would it cost much ?

PauloMN · 26-03-2009 2:28pm

brianon wrote: »

Cheers. That would be appreciated.

Would there be much hassle getting the VLC changed ? Would it cost much ?

No idea, but I would expect it to be free of charge. Might take a while though, so if that is the case and it needs to be changed, make sure you tell them you need to for an NCT recheck (which is 30 days isn't it?).

brianon · 26-03-2009 2:36pm

PauloMN wrote: »

No idea, but I would expect it to be free of charge. Might take a while though, so if that is the case and it needs to be changed, make sure you tell them you need to for an NCT recheck (which is 30 days isn't it?).

Yeah. They mentioned 30 days to the missus.

Darragh29 · 26-03-2009 2:59pm

brianon wrote: »

Yeah. This would be its third nct I guess. It MUST have a 3rd belt. Must be just stuck under the seat. I'll find it tonight and my wife will kick the snot out of me :eek:

They are probably just down behind the seat OP. These guys are bone lazy sometimes, you can get a decent guy who will make an effort to look for it or sometimes you can get a langer who will fail you for it if the seat belt isn't sitting there looking at them. What I always do with cars I send in for NCT is buckle all the belts in the back up, and that gets rid of that issue...

brianon · 26-03-2009 3:37pm

Darragh29 wrote: »

They are probably just down behind the seat OP. These guys are bone lazy sometimes, you can get a decent guy who will make an effort to look for it or sometimes you can get a langer who will fail you for it if the seat belt isn't sitting there looking at them. What I always do with cars I send in for NCT is buckle all the belts in the back up, and that gets rid of that issue...

Will look as soon as I get home :cool:

brianon · 26-03-2009 4:06pm

brianon wrote: »

Will look as soon as I get home :cool:

The missus managed to get the back seat up and says there was nothing but an empty packet of crisps there.

Looks like the VLC is wrong so !?

Anyone got a number or address or website I can go to to see about getting the VC amended...if indeed thats what I end up having to do.

PauloMN · 26-03-2009 4:20pm

Vehicle Registration Unit,
Department of the Environment and Local Government,
Shannon,
Co Clare.
061-365000

brianon · 26-03-2009 4:25pm

PauloMN wrote: »

Vehicle Registration Unit,
Department of the Environment and Local Government,
Shannon,
Co Clare.
061-365000

Cheers for that. Much appreciated.
I'll double check the car tonight and ring tomorrow if I have to.

Also, I'll see maybe what other owners of the same car had.

PauloMN · 26-03-2009 8:07pm

I checked the copies of the VLC and VRC I have from that car, it's the VRC that the number of seats is listed on. Shows 5 on mine, but there was definitely no middle belt on the car. Mine was through it's first NCT when I owned it, and it failed but on the shocks :rolleyes:, nothing mentioned about the lack of a seat belt though.

Just shows how inconsistent the NCT is.

VolvoMan · 26-03-2009 9:25pm

Coupes, with the fewest exceptions, generally only have two seatbelts in the back.

Carawaystick · 26-03-2009 11:34pm

If you can find out of an Opel source what the number of seats is, then if it's 4 get on to the people in Shannon to change the VLC and lodge an appeal to the NCT as they were testing based on the wrong information, so if the 30 days runs over and you havn't got the updated VLC back to stall time.

brianon · 27-03-2009 9:20am

Checked the car. 100% sure there are only two belts. I'll ring the VLC crowd later.

brianon · 27-03-2009 11:27am

Right...
I rang the Vehicle Registration Unit...they told me to ring the Vehicle Registration Office...they told me to ring the Motor Tax Office and to get back to them if they can't help me.

I've rung the Motor Tax Office over and over but just keep getting the message that this number has no voice mail setup

:mad:

brianon · 27-03-2009 2:24pm

Ok. To cut a long story short....

I, one way or another, have to get a third belt installed in the back seats so the car can pass the NCT.

Seems the car is a five seater and as such must have 3 back seat belts.

Anyone else with a similar Opel Astra...be aware

furtzy · 27-03-2009 2:58pm

brianon wrote: »

Right...
I rang the Vehicle Registration Unit...they told me to ring the Vehicle Registration Office...they told me to ring the Motor Tax Office and to get back to them if they can't help me.

I've rung the Motor Tax Office over and over but just keep getting the message that this number has no voice mail setup

:mad:

There was industrial action by the civil service CPSU union today where they weren't anwering phones for an hour between 11am and 12pm......might be worth trying them again

maidhc · 27-03-2009 3:17pm

brianon wrote: »

Ok. To cut a long story short....

I, one way or another, have to get a third belt installed in the back seats so the car can pass the NCT.

Seems the car is a five seater and as such must have 3 back seat belts.

Anyone else with a similar Opel Astra...be aware

They can't make you modify the car from the type approval specifications it had.

brianon · 27-03-2009 3:34pm

maidhc wrote: »

They can't make you modify the car from the type approval specifications it had.

Well I guess they are saying that the cars specs are that it is a 5 seater car and as such must have 5 seatbelts.

PauloMN · 27-03-2009 4:06pm

brianon wrote: »

Well I guess they are saying that the cars specs are that it is a 5 seater car and as such must have 5 seatbelts.

No way would I be modifying the car for that. The VRC is wrong, not the car!!! I would point out the fact that the car has been through 2 NCTs and passed, and you can say that you know of others that have passed with no mention of the "missing belt". Insist that the error on the VRC is put right.

Lucifer · 27-03-2009 6:56pm

I have looked it up and there is no centre seatbelt listed as a part for an astra coupe, they are only listed for a hatch, saloon or estate.

You will have to get on to VRO or tax office again. They should be able to change the information for you but you may have to get the right person on the phone as some may just try fob you off with an excuse or say to contact someone else. I would insist that this is an error and that they will have to change it.

brianon · 28-03-2009 1:00pm

Lucifer wrote: »

I have looked it up and there is no centre seatbelt listed as a part for an astra coupe, they are only listed for a hatch, saloon or estate.

You will have to get on to VRO or tax office again. They should be able to change the information for you but you may have to get the right person on the phone as some may just try fob you off with an excuse or say to contact someone else. I would insist that this is an error and that they will have to change it.

Cheers guys.

When you say 'looked it up' ? Where ? Would like to have it to hand when I get back to the vro.

greglo23 · 28-03-2009 3:05pm

Most coupes have only 2 seatbelts in the rear but there are exceptions. The rule the NCT follow is 16 inches per seat / per seatbelt. In other words if your rear seat is 48 inches or more it must have 3 belts. The NCT also have an exceptions list of all the cars which only have 2 rear belts so the Astra Coupe should be on that list.

brianon · 29-03-2009 2:47pm

greglo23 wrote: »

The NCT also have an exceptions list of all the cars which only have 2 rear belts so the Astra Coupe should be on that list.

How would I get a copy of this list ?

Jesus. I haven't a clue what to do now !? At this stage I'm not sure if I should a) appeal the fail, b) contact the VRO, VRU or Tax Office or opel ireland or c) install a belt :eek:

*EDIT*
Closest I can find to specs are @ http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=75735

Mentions "4/5S FHC" -> 4/5S(?) Fixed-head coupé

martinr5232 · 29-03-2009 6:25pm

I worked on Opels a few years ago and there is something in the back of my head saying this is only a four seater is the middle of the rear seat not raised up?

My advice would be to ring Opel Ireland in the morning and ask them what spec an astra coupe has.

Make sure and have your vin number handy.

Get it in writing from them and get your vlc changed in shannon.

brianon · 29-03-2009 8:07pm

martinr5232 wrote: »

I worked on Opels a few years ago and there is something in the back of my head saying this is only a four seater is the middle of the rear seat not raised up?

My advice would be to ring Opel Ireland in the morning and ask them what spec an astra coupe has.

Make sure and have your vin number handy.

Get it in writing from them and get your vlc changed in shannon.

Cheers. There is a pull down arm rest in the middle.
Any idea where I could get a number for Opel Ireland?
Website doesn't seem to have one.

martinr5232 · 29-03-2009 8:17pm

Google is your freind;)

353 1 2161000

testicle · 29-03-2009 8:21pm

brianon wrote: »

Any idea where I could get a number for Opel Ireland?
Website doesn't seem to have one.

If only there was some way of searching for a phone number you didn't have...

http://www.eircomphonebook.ie/search/Dublin/Opel_Ireland.html

brianon · 29-03-2009 8:50pm

testicle wrote: »

If only there was some way of searching for a phone number you didn't have...

http://www.eircomphonebook.ie/search/Dublin/Opel_Ireland.html

wiseguys eh ?

. I had checed the Opel Ireland website but no luck. I suppose I COULD have googled it but well ... Hindsight n all

Anyway. Cheers. I will ring them tomorrow.

brianon · 30-03-2009 8:39am

Just got off the phone with Opel Ireland Ltd Customer Assistance Ctr and they confirmed it is a four seater.

He is going to post me a letter saying as much and also sending me an email.

I guess now I have to get back onto the VRO and see now what they say.

hmmmmm. Or should I just appeal the NCT result ?

PauloMN · 30-03-2009 8:57am

brianon wrote: »

Just got off the phone with Opel Ireland Ltd Customer Assistance Ctr and they confirmed it is a four seater.

He is going to post me a letter saying as much and also sending me an email.

I guess now I have to get back onto the VRO and see now what they say.

hmmmmm. Or should I just appeal the NCT result ?

No point in trying to appeal the NCT result imo. Their computer says it's a five seater because of the stupid VRC. The VRC needs to be corrected. I can't believe this was never an issue with mine for the NCT, or anyone elses' by the sounds of it.

You must have got a right prick for the test.

brianon · 06-04-2009 10:53am

Ok. SO things have moved on a little. Opel Ireland sent me a letter stating its a four seater. Except I never got the letter

so they are sending again.

NCT say that once I produce the letter at the NCT centre, there should be no problem getting the Pass

atlantean · 07-04-2009 8:47pm

AFAIA from your description it is a 4 seater!

I was going to suggest you PM me your reg and I would look it up and see what the factory listing is for it but I assume Opel have already done this for you

I have seen this same problem on some Jap imports - clowns filling out the registration documents getting it wrong :rolleyes:

galwaytt · 07-04-2009 9:00pm

brianon wrote: »

...I'll find it tonight and my wife will kick the snot out of me :eek:

....so, if you don't find it.........who gets to kick whom ?

brianon · 21-04-2009 9:12am

Right...time has passed and I finally got the car to pass the NCT

Got the letter from Opel Ireland. Brought it to the NCT centre as the NCT support had told me to do. No luck. NCT centre told me that it could not pass while the VLC said it was a five seater.

Brought the VLC & Letter & Car to the VRO and finally ... result.
Guy there was helpful and faxed the details to the VRU in Shannon.

Got my new cert two days later.

Took time and allot of effort, including several hundred phone calls

Anyone else with a Opel Astra Coupe Bertone from aroudn 00/01 etc... Check your VLC.

Thanks to everyone for your advice. Appreciated.

galwaytt · 21-04-2009 9:15am

just goes to prove that, like all computer systems, it's a case of "****-in, ****-out".....:rolleyes:

Fr'instance, I know of one car on their system, with two different 'system' codes. One is cheaper than the other, to VRT

PauloMN · 21-04-2009 9:45am

Also goes to prove that the NCT is as consistent as the weather. The Astra Coupé I owned before had 5 seats listed on the VLC and was never an issue with the NCT. Only had two belts in the back as per original spec.

inforfun · 21-04-2009 10:28am

Would be pretty horrble to sit there with 3 people .....

Zube · 21-04-2009 10:46am

inforfun wrote: »

Would be pretty horrble to sit there with 3 people .....

At least they'd cover up those seats. :eek:

Opel Astra Coupe Bertone - Failed NCT

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