NCT re-test: how is it done?

ionapaul

Hi all,

I recently failed the NCT test for a number of different things:

- Failed emissions: high idle O2 % over the limit
- Need two new front tyres
- Wheel bearings
- Front parking light bulb

All the above bar the emissions are visual and don't require the car to be tested mechanically. Now, I believe I failed the emissions due to a cracked exhaust manifold / cat convertor (in my car this comes as one unit), which would cost the value of the car to replace; 2 years ago I passed the NCT by driving for 30 minutes up-and-down the M50 in 3rd gear just before the test, which did the trick; I planned to do the same this year but didn't have the time pre-test, I will when I re-test. I also plan to use a fuel additive to clean the engine in the week before the re-test.

Now, if I can't pass the emissions I have decided to scrap the car, so don't want to spend the guts of €300 on fixing the visual faults. I've been told that the best option in my case is to schedule the re-test in the knowledge that I'll fail on the tyres, wheel bearings and light bulb again, but that if I pass the emissions this time, I can then justify fixing the rest and re-testing a 2nd time to get the NCT certificate.

Is this doable? If I take the re-test, can I pass emissions, fail on the other faults and take a 2nd re-test where my emissions will not be tested again? My father warned me that I should check this out and not go back for the 3rd time to have to take the entire range of tests again.

Any advice would be gratefully accepted!

mickdw

If you still fail on wheel bearings etc on the retest, that will require the use of the test lane for the 3rd test which will then be a full retest.
Best bet at this stage is to get someone who knows emissions to see if it can be sorted cheaply or not.

Nissan doctor

Surely you'd be replacing the tyres anyway one safety grounds, not just because they failed the test?

If your manifold is cracked, its unlikely that it will pass an emissions test no matter how much driving you do.