NCT anniversary date on imported cars

atlantean

I always thought that all cars required an NCT test every two years on the anniversary date of first registration once it was over 4 years old

I had read this in loads of places

All cars should be tested on or before the anniversary date of first registration of the car in the country of origin

(There is a note on the NCT site about imported cars but it does not include any information!)

Having just got an NCT on an 84 import I have found that this is not always true. Apparently once a car is over 4 years old when imported the anniversary date of first registration of the car in the country of origin does not count but instead the date of importation is used.

I had assumed that my car which was first registered on the 26.05.84 and imported here on the 16.07.09 would if NCT'd during the month of May this year receive a cert for 2 years expiring on the 25.05.12 — the NCT instead expires on the 15.07.11!

Having contacted the NCT people about this I was told the rules had changed on imported cars! I asked when they changed but they could not answer that!

I could understand them only giving an NCT up to the anniversary date of first registration of the car when the car is first brought in to be NCT'd when it is imported. This would bring it in line with the "anniversary date of first registration" system.

This seems to be a well hidden fact on NCT rules.

Perhaps this system is fairer to people who import a 4 year old car or older as it requires an NCT from that date and so they receive a 2 year cert rather than one which may expire 7 months later if they used the anniversary date of first registration! It would be handy though if they publicised this rule IMO

macplaxton

atlantean wrote: »

(There is a note on the NCT site about imported cars but it does not include any information!)

I'm struggling with this. Apparently the change from 1st worldwide registration date to date of import took place in the last 18 months or so, but for the life of me I cannot find the relevant legislation. Does it actually exist? Or are the NCT / Revenue making it up as they go along

*(I may well be having a bad day and have totally overlooked something though)

carchaeologist

macplaxton wrote: »

*(I may well be having a bad day and have totally overlooked something though)

Not like you mac,you are usually good with the fine details!:)

atlantean

macplaxton wrote: »

I'm struggling with this.

You and me both!

I have yet to actually read this rule anywhere!

Below is what the citizensinformation.ie website has to say on the subject

citizensinformation.ie wrote:

The NCT on an imported vehicle is due on the anniversary date of first registration in the country of origin. (Again, the NCT will only be due once the vehicle is at 4 years old or more). Where the vehicle was already 4 years old or more when imported, the anniversary date is the date of importation. Read more about importing a vehicle into Ireland here.

I contacted them on the 13.05.10 about this information and received this reply

citizensinformation.ie wrote:

Thank you bringing the error in our document to our attention. We have contacted the National Car Testing Service who confirmed that the anniversary date for a car that is imported when it is over four years old is the date of importation. We will update our document accordingly.

I received the above reply a month ago but the website has not been changed!

macplaxton

The problem I having is this:

The last set of regulations were S.I. No. 567/2009 — Road Traffic (National Car Test) Regulations 2009

And I cannot see in the said regulations anything which treats imports differently in the definition of terms:

• “anniversary of first registration” means a date that is one or more years after the date on which a vehicle was first registered;
• “first registration” means the date on which a vehicle was first registered, irrespective of country of registration, or where only the year of first registration is known, that year, in combination with the day and month of first registration in the State and “first registered” is to be read accordingly;

which kind of leads me to believe Applus+ / DoT are making things up without amending the regs. (Unless someone can show me the alterations to the relevant secondary legislation).

I agree the "new" process is fairer, but I'd be worried if the "new" process was not introduced correctly.

atlantean

macplaxton wrote: »

The problem I having is this:

The last set of regulations were S.I. No. 567/2009 — Road Traffic (National Car Test) Regulations 2009

And I cannot see in the said regulations anything which treats imports differently in the definition of terms:
legislation

I also failed to see anything in that legislation which treats imports differently and AFAIK that is the latest legislation on the subject!