Failed NCT - What are your thoughs

chrislynch8 · 31-03-2011 1:01pm #1

So,

My GF's Yaris failed the NCT on three items.

1: Front Brakes - fair enough they affect driving performance of the car etc.

2: A scuff in a Tyre, past with a bigger scuff last time round but fair enough a tyre blow would be dangourous

3: The bonnet doesn't latch easily - you need to give it a push down to close but it does close and it stays closed. It been like this since she got it in 2003

To me this shows the scam that is the NCT, fair enough they check brakes, suspension, emissions, but the bonnet needs a bit of force to close, come on.

On the brakes I haven't seen the print out yet, but would you know by the results whether the brakes are just the pads need replacing or something a little bigger?

Rgds
Chris

Gophur · 31-03-2011 1:06pm

chrislynch8 wrote: »

So,

My GF's Yaris failed the NCT on three items.

1: Front Brakes - fair enough they affect driving performance of the car etc.

2: A scuff in a Tyre, past with a bigger scuff last time round but fair enough a tyre blow would be dangourous

3: The bonnet doesn't latch easily - you need to give it a push down to close but it does close and it stays closed. It been like this since she got it in 2003

To me this shows the scam that is the NCT, fair enough they check brakes, suspension, emissions, but the bonnet needs a bit of force to close, come on.

On the brakes I haven't seen the print out yet, but would you know by the results whether the brakes are just the pads need replacing or something a little bigger?

Rgds
Chris

Scam? You are joking?

That car is dangerous and should not be on the road until all the faults, above, are rectified. You don't think much of your GF if you let her drive something ion that condition.

(People have died due to bonnets flying open and causing crashes.)

mondeo · 31-03-2011 1:09pm

That car is not fit for the road. I'm glad it failed.

biko · 31-03-2011 1:09pm

A scuff on a tyre could cause a blow out on the motorway (haven't seen your mind).

Usually just pads need replacing. If there is a significant lip on the discs they too needs replacing.

El Guapo! · 31-03-2011 1:11pm

Gophur wrote: »

Scam? You are joking?

That car is dangerous and should not be on the road until all the faults, above, are rectified. You don't think much of your GF if you let her drive something ion that condition.

(People have died due to bonnets flying open and causing crashes.)

This is a bit of an OTT reply tbh.

The reason they failed it is because if its hard to close then its possible the catch is failing and could come open at high speed if it totally fails.
Sometimes a good cleaning of the cables and a spray of WD40 does the trick.

Tigger · 31-03-2011 1:16pm

chrislynch8 wrote: »

So,

My GF's Yaris failed the NCT on three items.

1: Front Brakes - fair enough they affect driving performance of the car etc.

2: A scuff in a Tyre, past with a bigger scuff last time round but fair enough a tyre blow would be dangourous

3: The bonnet doesn't latch easily - you need to give it a push down to close but it does close and it stays closed. It been like this since she got it in 2003

To me this shows the scam that is the NCT, fair enough they check brakes, suspension, emissions, but the bonnet needs a bit of force to close, come on.

On the brakes I haven't seen the print out yet, but would you know by the results whether the brakes are just the pads need replacing or something a little bigger?

Rgds
Chris

bonnet catch is important if it flips up you wont see as well as you should
brakes are probably the most important thing on a car
tyres need to be good

how can you think there is an issue with any of these items?

and 50 seems cheap to check out a car for you.

31-03-2011 1:19pm

chrislynch8 wrote: »

1: Front Brakes - fair enough they affect driving performance of the car etc.

On the brakes I haven't seen the print out yet, but would you know by the results whether the brakes are just the pads need replacing or something a little bigger?

Rgds
Chris

biko wrote: »

Usually just pads need replacing. If there is a significant lip on the discs they too needs replacing.

If a car fails on front brakes it is due to an imbalance across the axle or the brake force isn't adequate. It's unlikely to be the pads. I passed an NCT with pads that were well down on mm of friction material.

Anan1 · 31-03-2011 1:23pm

Dean09 wrote: »

This is a bit of an OTT reply tbh.

The reason they failed it is because if its hard to close then its possible the catch is failing and could come open at high speed if it totally fails.
Sometimes a good cleaning of the cables and a spray of WD40 does the trick.

Given the dangers of a faulty bonnet catch mechanism, is it not reasonable of the NCTS to require that it be working correctly? The OP's assertion that this 'shows the scam that is the NCT' is IMO quite ridiculous. Wouldn't they be better occupied wondering how their gf came to be driving around in a car with defective brakes, a damaged tyre, and a defective bonnet catch, rather than whinging about the test that brought these things to their attention?:)

chrislynch8 · 31-03-2011 1:34pm

Thanks for the replies, getting the brakes checked by a mechanic tomorrow.

As for the latch the guy doing the NCT said the latch is fine, just takes a bit of force of close, to me this requires maybe a bit of oil.

Rgds
Chris

El Guapo! · 31-03-2011 1:34pm

Anan1 wrote: »

Given the dangers of a faulty bonnet catch mechanism, is it not reasonable of the NCTS to require that it be working correctly? The OP's assertion that this 'shows the scam that is the NCT' is IMO quite ridiculous. Wouldn't they be better occupied wondering how their gf came to be driving around in a car with defective brakes, a damaged tyre, and a defective bonnet catch, rather than whinging about the test that brought these things to their attention?:)

Point taken. And yeah I agree 100% that it should've failed. But I don't think the OP was giving out about it failing on the brakes or the tyre, just the bonnet.

My point was that posting comments like

You don't think much of your GF if you let her drive something ion that condition.

or like

That car is not fit for the road. I'm glad it failed.

are not helpful in the slightest. Would it not be better to educate the OP as to why it failed and how to remedy it rather than berating him and posting silly unhelpful comments?

cadaliac · 31-03-2011 1:39pm

WD 40 for the catch on the bonnet.
New tyre.
Get the brakes checked by your local mechanic.
Job done.
NCT isn't there to rip you off. Its there to keep cars safe, but they have very strict regulations to keep to and this is why it seems outlandish that it might fail you on such a measure.
They also fail people on indicator lenses not being orange enough and different print on licence plates.
Hardly safety, but there are arguements for both.

chrislynch8 · 31-03-2011 1:40pm

Dean09 wrote: »

Point taken. And yeah I agree 100% that it should've failed. But I don't think the OP was giving out about it failing on the brakes or the tyre, just the bonnet.

My point was that posting comments like or like are not helpful in the slightest. Would it not be better to educate the OP as to why it failed and how to remedy it rather than berating him and posting silly unhelpful comments?

Completely agree, failing on brakes, tyres etc. all well and good and it should have failed. The latch is working fine according to the NCT guy but it just needs force to close, and my point about the scam is, if this latch is that dangerous why has it passed two previous tests when it has been that way?

Rgds
Chris

Anan1 · 31-03-2011 1:51pm

chrislynch8 wrote: »

and my point about the scam is, if this latch is that dangerous why has it passed two previous tests when it has been that way?

You appear to be labouring under the delusion that having passed two previous tests somehow makes the latch safe? How?

Sids Not · 31-03-2011 1:54pm

I have to agree to disagree ...there are some people that thrive on op's like this one...they're chomping at the bit for a good old row...then there are the more sensible ones that can symphatise with the op's predicament and offer advise and maybe a little re-assurance....
OK theres a few faults that need attention , so address them and all is good for another two years...(hopefully

)...
In the mean time ignore those high-horse idiots...;)

Anan1 · 31-03-2011 2:08pm

Sids Not wrote: »

I have to agree to disagree ...there are some people that thrive on op's like this one...they're chomping at the bit for a good old row...then there are the more sensible ones that can symphatise with the op's predicament and offer advise and maybe a little re-assurance....
OK theres a few faults that need attention , so address them and all is good for another two years...(hopefully )...
In the mean time ignore those high-horse idiots...;)

We all hope the OP gets their gf's car through the NCT. If thinking the OP is wrong to claim that the NCT is a scam on the basis of the car having failed for a defective bonnet catch makes me a 'high horse idiot' then so be it.:)

dougie-lampkin · 31-03-2011 2:18pm

I've had the bonnet fly open at 60 in an old Ibiza on private roads, scariest thing I've ever experienced in a car. Flew right back onto the windscreen and made bits of it, thankfully the bonnet itself stayed on. Had to ditch the windscreen though

Of course, this is irrelevant, the car had a valid NCT at the time, and we didn't notice anything untoward about closing the bonnet, but it's a good thing that you can be failed if the tester doesn't think the catch is perfect.

A lot of GFs' Yarii failing the NCT here today :pac:

Topper Harley · 31-03-2011 2:44pm

Anan1 wrote: »

We all hope the OP gets their gf's car through the NCT. If thinking the OP is wrong to claim that the NCT is a scam on the basis of the car having failed for a defective bonnet catch makes me a 'high horse idiot' then so be it.:)

I'm not calling you a "high horse idiot" or anything of the like, but in fairness, the OP said that the NCT told him that the latch was fine, just takes a bit of force of close. Although this does seem a little contradictory, as it's either defective or not. If it's fine surely it should pass. If it's defective, then why would he say it's fine?

chrislynch8 · 31-03-2011 2:44pm

dougie-lampkin wrote: »

I've had the bonnet fly open at 60 in an old Ibiza on private roads, scariest thing I've ever experienced in a car. Flew right back onto the windscreen and made bits of it, thankfully the bonnet itself stayed on. Had to ditch the windscreen though Of course, this is irrelevant, the car had a valid NCT at the time, and we didn't notice anything untoward about closing the bonnet, but it's a good thing that you can be failed if the tester doesn't think the catch is perfect.

A lot of GFs' Yarii failing the NCT here today :pac:

Just on the latch before this thread gets all out of hand completely. The latch itself is OK according to the NCY guy, it closes and it stays closed, but because it needed a bit of extra force to close its a fail. That is why I think this is mental, if he said the latch is not catching the bonnet then fair enough, or that the latch is loose then fair enough

I'm not complaining about the fail, maybe I should edit the OP and remove the word scam and replace it with something like ridiculous tests and ridiculous fails. Same as the license plate mentioned by someone else.

Rgds
Chris

Tigger · 31-03-2011 2:53pm

you'd still be wrong nct is fine my cars pass regularly because i do preventative maintaince yours didn't because the brakes don't work and yer tyre is damaged and the bonnet catch is dogey

other wise you drive around till you crased into some one with a blowout and no brakes and a bonnet in your way

dr.fuzzenstein · 31-03-2011 2:56pm

chrislynch8 wrote: »

So,

My GF's Yaris failed the NCT on three items.

1: Front Brakes - fair enough they affect driving performance of the car etc.

2: A scuff in a Tyre, past with a bigger scuff last time round but fair enough a tyre blow would be dangourous

3: The bonnet doesn't latch easily - you need to give it a push down to close but it does close and it stays closed. It been like this since she got it in 2003

To me this shows the scam that is the NCT, fair enough they check brakes, suspension, emissions, but the bonnet needs a bit of force to close, come on.

On the brakes I haven't seen the print out yet, but would you know by the results whether the brakes are just the pads need replacing or something a little bigger?

Rgds
Chris

Brakes: Well, that's what the NCT is for, make sure your brakes and shocks are up to scratch.
Scuffed tyre: Impossible to tell without seing it, maybe a picture?
To my mind a scuff should be no problem, bulges are a no-no.
Try some back to black rubber restorer.
Bonnet catch: Don't they all need a push to close it?
Bit perplexed by that one.
Maybe needs some carefull adjusting (lumphammer) and a bit of WD40.

Anan1 · 31-03-2011 3:12pm

Topper Harley wrote: »

I'm not calling you a "high horse idiot" or anything of the like

That wasn't you, that was Sids Not.:)

Topper Harley wrote: »

but in fairness, the OP said that the NCT told him that the latch was fine, just takes a bit of force of close. Although this does seem a little contradictory, as it's either defective or not. If it's fine surely it should pass. If it's defective, then why would he say it's fine?

Remember, the OP's not a mechanic. The NCTS need the catch to be working properly, and it wasn't. In my experience of cars, things like 'takes a bit of force to close' are generally a prelude to failure, and failure of a bonnet catch is potentially catastrophic. Surely it's better that the NCT fail it and the OP have it repaired than that we just take an approach of 'ah sure it'll be grand'? Especially given that it's a visual retest - ie a 'scam' requiring extra work and netting precisely €0 for the NCTS.;)

Topper Harley · 31-03-2011 3:20pm

Anan1 wrote: »

That wasn't you, that was Sids Not.:)

I understood that, just didn't want you to think I was jumping on the bandwagon.

Anan1 wrote: »

Remember, the OP's not a mechanic. The NCTS need the catch to be working properly, and it wasn't. In my experience of cars, things like 'takes a bit of force to close' are generally a prelude to failure, and failure of a bonnet catch is potentially catastrophic. Surely it's better that the NCT fail it and the OP have it repaired than that we just take an approach of 'ah sure it'll be grand'? Especially given that it's a visual retest - ie a 'scam' requiring extra work and netting precisely €0 for the NCTS.;)

Most bonnets do need a bit of force though or at least a drop of a few inches. I'd be more worried about the latch if it closed too easily. Having said that, I agree 100% that it's better to have a 'better safe than sorry' approach and I think the OP regrets that 'scam' comment.

chrislynch8 · 31-03-2011 3:29pm

Topper Harley wrote: »

I understood that, just didn't want you to think I was jumping on the bandwagon.

Most bonnets do need a bit of force though or at least a drop of a few inches. I'd be more worried about the latch if it closed too easily. Having said that, I agree 100% that it's better to have a 'better safe than sorry' approach and I think the OP regrets that 'scam' comment.

Yet, as I mentioned a few posts back maybe scam was not the correct word to use

Anan1 · 31-03-2011 4:07pm

Topper Harley wrote: »

Most bonnets do need a bit of force though or at least a drop of a few inches. I'd be more worried about the latch if it closed too easily. Having said that, I agree 100% that it's better to have a 'better safe than sorry' approach

I'm guessing the fear is that it won't always lock completely when closed. In any case, it should be a simple & cheap adjustment for a competent mechanic to do when they're sorting out the brakes.

@OP - Presumably you know this, but it's better to get tyres from a dedicated tyre place rather than having your mechanic do them. Unless the one on the other side is quite new you'll probably need two. On the upside, Yaris tyres shouldn't be too expensive.

Sids Not · 31-03-2011 4:10pm

Topper Harley wrote: »

I understood that, just didn't want you to think I was jumping on the bandwagon.QUOTE]

That bandwagon is so full up ..theres a danger of a blowout...:p

chrislynch8 · 31-03-2011 4:17pm

Anan1 wrote: »

I'm guessing the fear is that it won't always lock completely when closed. In any case, it should be a simple & cheap adjustment for a competent mechanic to do when they're sorting out the brakes.

@OP - Presumably you know this, but it's better to get tyres from a dedicated tyre place rather than having your mechanic do them. Unless the one on the other side is quite new you'll probably need two. On the upside, Yaris tyres shouldn't be too expensive.

I checked the typres before the NCT and got one new one - hence my other post re: Broken Lug. I got 5 typre on Saturday 4 for a 04 Corolla and 1 for the Yaris €200, its great to know people.

chrislynch8 · 31-03-2011 6:32pm

Here are the Brake Test results. Didn't know how to create the table correctly, so sorry for how it looks. Could someone explain what the problem here would be.

Brake Effort

Ovality

Imblance

Nearside--Offside

Nearside---Offside-
Front Axle

1.470kN---3.070kN

47%

55%

52%
Rear Axle

1.370kN---1.290kN

13%

6%
Service Brake Effort 76%

Brake Performance(Car Weight 964Kg)
Parking Brake--1.130kN---1.120kN

1%
Parking Brake Effort 24%

Rgds
Chris

31-03-2011 8:38pm

chrislynch8 wrote: »

Here are the Brake Test results. Didn't know how to create the table correctly, so sorry for how it looks. Could someone explain what the problem here would be.
Brake Effort
Ovality
Imblance
Nearside--Offside
Nearside---Offside-
Front Axle
1.470kN---3.070kN
47%
55%
52%
Rear Axle
1.370kN---1.290kN
13%
13%
6%
Service Brake Effort 76%

Brake Performance(Car Weight 964Kg)
Parking Brake--1.130kN---1.120kN
1%
Parking Brake Effort 24%

Rgds
Chris

Offside front is doing twice as much as nearside, imbalance is 52%, I think it should be 30% or less to pass. Shouldn't be anything major. 76% for the service brake is fine.

Failed NCT - What are your thoughs

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