NCT and car servicing.

Jamie-b

I have to put my car in for NCT for the first time soon (my first time, it has been NCT'd before I got it). I have been hearing conflicting information regarding bringing it to a mechanic before/after the NCT.

Suggestion 1) Bring it to a garage, tell them it's for the NCT and get it all checked out and any work needed to be done.
Other people have said that they did this and still failed- leaving them with 2 big garage bills.

Suggestion 2) do the NCT, if it fails bring the garage the list and ask them just to fix what the NCT says is wrong.

I think it may fail- I have a little cut out of one wheel, possibly need new tires, and have a little squeak in the steering wheel. I don't know much about cars though so there could be more.

What do you think is the best way?

Saruman

Well, when is the service due?

Random

i'd go with option 2.

jaffa20

I'd just put it through the nct first but if it needs new tyres, you may aswell replace them anyway nct due or not.

Jamie-b

Well, when is the service due?

I bought it in January and it had been serviced then. Problem is NCT, tax and insurance are all due in January also. I was thinking of putting it through the NCT early (can do it up to three months early I think) so I don't get stuck with a huge bill after Christmas on top of the tax/insurance that I can't affford to pay.

Jamie-b

I'd just put it through the nct first but if it needs new tyres, you may aswell replace them anyway nct due or not.

I don't know this for a fact. Someone just mention one looks worn down a bit, but the 1.6mm ridge is still there. How long should a tyre last? Is there a guideline anywhere for make of car/ number of miles?

bazz26

If the car is due a scheduled service then get it done. If it is not then just send it through the NCT and let them tell what is wrong with it.

Pre NCT checks are a waste of money and offer no guarantee of passing it.

hoodie6029

Jamie-b wrote: »

I don't know this for a fact. Someone just mention one looks worn down a bit, but the 1.6mm ridge is still there. How long should a tyre last? Is there a guideline anywhere for make of car/ number of miles?

It depends on many things driving style, hard acceleration and braking, fast cornering. Your car, how heavy it is, how far you drive each day, the speed you travel at and the roads you use. The list goes on...
Go around each tyre and check for uneven wear. Get a thread depth guage and make sure they are the legal minumum.
Get a pressure guage and make sure they're inflated to the right pressure.
A set of these two tools should set you back about a tenner.
If your tyres aren't in good condition get them replaced.
That said, I noticed some uneven wear on one of my tyres on the morning of the NCT last week and it still passed.

biko

Advance Pitstop does a free pre-NCT check with no obligations.
That's the only thing I'd consider.

Still, I'd put it through the test before spending any money on it.

alang9831

Have the headlights checked to see if they set properly.

Make sure all other lights are working.

Definetely have all tyres in good cond.(incl spare)

Make sure car is clean and underneath.

Boot empty and wheel trims off.

After that just put it through and see if it fails.If it does just fix what it fails for.

Saves spending money on stuff that might not even fail.

Dilbert75

NCT or not, you need to keep your car looked after. Remember the NCT is only a snapshot in time and if your car passes today, that doesn't mean it won't develop a fault tomorrow.

The NCT should only ever be used as a 2nd check to ensure there's nothing your maintenance has missed. Its far more important to have your car running well and safely than it is to have a disk in the window. From your mention of having a cut in the wall of one tyre (which could blow out without any warning, possibly causing you to have an accident), it sounds to me like you could do with paying more attention to this. If you look after it, it'll pass.

At this point, I'd suggest getting someone reliable to have a look over it - don't mention the NCT if you think they're just going to try find things. Get a list of what they recommend before they do anything and get the routine (oil, filters, etc) done - decide on the remainder based on the cost & if you've any doubts about the necessity of having them done, assuming they don't make the car unsafe, maybe let the NCT have their spake on them.

Esel

Option 2 all the way. Obviously, if you know beforehand that you have fail items, get them sorted before the test.

mickdw

biko wrote: »

Advance Pitstop does a free pre-NCT check with no obligations.
That's the only thing I'd consider.

Still, I'd put it through the test before spending any money on it.

Yes and I would bet on the OPs car needing discs & pads all round, new tyres & 2 rear shocks according to any outlet that does a free pre NCT test. I know you are not obliged to have the work done but many clueless customers have been frightened into paying massive bills for nothing.

Just put the car through the test and then fix whatever is needed

Cosmo K

mickdw wrote: »

Yes and I would bet on the OPs car needing discs & pads all round, new tyres & 2 rear shocks according to any outlet that does a free pre NCT test. I know you are not obliged to have the work done but many clueless customers have been frightened into paying massive bills for nothing.

Just put the car through the test and then fix whatever is needed

+1, thats good advice OP, forget about pre NCT tests, just put your car through the test, and take it form there.

biko

mickdw wrote: »

Yes and I would bet on the OPs car needing discs & pads all round, new tyres & 2 rear shocks according to any outlet that does a free pre NCT test. I know you are not obliged to have the work done but many clueless customers have been frightened into paying massive bills for nothing.

Just put the car through the test and then fix whatever is needed

I've put a few cars through the AP free NCT test and the only extra they tried to sell me unnecessary was new tires, as the tires I had on didn't fail the actual test.
Did you use this service or where you just guessing?

Anyway, as I said before - OP, put it through the real test first before spending any money on it.