Failed NCT-> garage:OK -/- NCT:no

rolion

Hi,
Another sad,bad,nerves full experience with the NCT...

Failed first time the test due to a corroded break line pipe.
Rescheduled the test for today,this morning.
Went at 9am in the garage,done the repair,signed the invoice and pay it.

Went to a station and given a most expensive car wash on the list.
At right time,30 minutes after i left the garage,drove for NCT test.The staff came back to me said that the repair is not done properly and the "brake fluid" is leaking,that i have to go back and do the work of "sealling" the pipe.In the report is saying that is "fluid leaking" as well.

Gone back to garage,there few lads had a look at it and no sign for any kind of leakage !!!

Straight back to NCT and tried to log a complaint to the supervisor or manager.
Somebody came to me and said that the car failed due to "breaking liquid" all over the pipes and is messy from the work done by the garage.I asked then why is the justification as leaking ,dangerous to drive ? Also,told that i seen the car in the garage and is all ok !!

So long story shorter...i had to leave the car in the NCT parking,due to danger associated with "leakage" and i called a car to bring me home.
Called the dealer and booked a recovery and a car inspection for monday,to validate the NCT report.
Called the insurance and report the situation,as the NCT,according to their T&Cs are not providing any cover for the cars left over.


So,i'm left with no option rather than go public and ask if any one had same experience !?? Garage says ok,NCT says not ok !!

dr.fuzzenstein

I'd say get the garage to show you the area in question and take pictures of it.
The do the same at the NCT, demand they show you exactly where the "problem" exists and again take out your camera and take pictures.
Take the names of all present and build up some documents for your case.
I have heard of cars being failed for very superficial surface rust on brake pipes, not a security issue at all.
Here is some info on appealing NCT decisions from the citizens information bureau:
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel_and_recreation/vehicle_standards/national_car_test.html
And from the NCT:
http://www.ncts.ie/complaints_appeals.html
The only way to appeal is to the right channels, if you simply argue with the personnel present in the test station you're going to get nowhere, since they made a decision and now cannot back down, even if they know it's wrong.
So the only way is to go over their heads.

-Chris-

Have someone else look at it.

mickdw

Weird. Its either leaking or its not.
Could it just be brake fluid all over the pipes after the repair work?

kja1888

If it looks like its leaking, then you have to assume it is leaking. How do the garage check if its not leaking after changing the brake pipe if the joint is still covered in brake fluid? Secondly, this is the brakes we're talking about here, not the stereo or the sunroof. Theres no way a cert would be issued with a potential leaking brake pipe.

kippy

Gonna be slightly ridiculous here,
You mentioned you got the top car wash done to the car.
Could there be any chance that the "fluid" is something left over from the clean? Or could there be a chance that the clean somehow dislodged the cable that was not "tightened" correctly?
Yep, its a bit "out there".

Failing that, do as suggested, get actual pictures and find out from the testers where exactly the issue is.
There is a chance the mechanic actually "fixed" the wrong area.

challengemaster

kippy wrote: »

Gonna be slightly ridiculous here,
You mentioned you got the top car wash done to the car.
Could there be any chance that the "fluid" is something left over from the clean? Or could there be a chance that the clean somehow dislodged the cable that was not "tightened" correctly?
Yep, its a bit "out there".

Failing that, do as suggested, get actual pictures and find out from the testers where exactly the issue is.
There is a chance the mechanic actually "fixed" the wrong area.

I'd be willing to bet it's just water from the car wash, going by what I've heard before I wouldn't put it past the shower...

especially on brake lines - someone on here actually had brake lines that couldn't possibly corrode on the car, yet was told they were.

kja1888

If you can't tell the difference between brake fluid and car wash, then I hope you never have to fix my car!

If brake fluid is leaking you can smell it as soon as walk under the car. Also, if the "car wash" fluid had got under the car it would be everywhere, not just on a brake pipe.

Any garage that doesn't clean an area after they have carried out a repair shouldn't be getting your business - you need to be sure the leak has gone, which you can't do if the area is still contaminated.

Tea drinker

I would have to agree on kja's post.

rolion

a quick update with a peculiar ending...

Spoke with a friend of mine,mechanic,and he said that every time you change a brake line,is going to be left messy due to the brake fluid... so,went back to NCT,spoke with the supervisor and asked more info,such as :
if the brakes are leaking when test executed...why the numbers on the computer report are not showing it,why is it passing the test !???

He said,in a plain language,that he saw the car and it was messy after the garage did the work,with liquid spilled everywhere and not sure if it was "messy" or "leaking" ! Then i provoked him and ,based on his staff affirmation that" the breakes are leaking heavy when i pressed the pedal to do the test,he saw the liquid leaking from the pipes ,i have to bring the car back to garage to seal the leak,is dangerous to drive " AND to "the car is messy after the work" is a huge bloody english language difference !!!

Also,while numbers on the report were correct,the failure lines said "leaking" and not "quality of garage work not enough to NCT staff standard"...i advise NCT to add this line on their system as a failure reason...three cars failed that day with same reason:brake lines ...and i bet was same guy !!! Also,teach the guys the fcuking difference between "leaking = dangerous" AND "messy -> after repair work"...

so,i haven't done any work on the car,went back next day,he looked at the car,tested for more than 20 minutes up & down on the test,came back and said that "he's happy with the work,clean,tidy and safe".Fair play to him,very honest chap.
Is a huge difference...if first time failed i've been told is 'messy' and not 'leaking',i was able to kick asses in the garage not with nct !!

It can be my fault as i washed the car before,but is a basic thinking to make the difference between water/rain/car wash and liquid fluid leaking from break pipes...what if was raining same day !?

So,long story shorter...check your brake line before going to NCT !
And ... avoid the blond tall guy in the Centre...he show me the finger in the office.

Good luck.

dr.fuzzenstein

rolion wrote: »

So,long story shorter...check your brake line before going to NCT !
And ... avoid the blond tall guy in the Centre...he show me the finger in the office.

Good luck.

:eek:
Very professional.