Does nct re test, only test previous failed defects?

ligertigon

My Car failed on split cv boots and emissions.

On the re test today, is passed emissions and cv boots.
But failed on wheel alignment, which it previously passed on.

So my question is, does a retest test previous fails and other items ?

vicwatson

So my question is, does a retest test previous fails and other items ?

Only test previous fails, they can't fail you on something you've already passed.

George Dalton

In that situation where it failed on CV boots the alignment would have to be re-checked because of the fact that some parts of the front suspension have to be dismantled to change the CV boots. Whoever changed the boots should have checked the tracking afterwards.

George Dalton

vicwatson wrote: »

Only test previous fails, they can't fail you on something you've already passed.

In theory this is true but if the tester notices some other obvious failure while performing the retest they can fail you on that separate item.

coylemj

From NCT FAQs...

All re-tests must be booked within 21 days of the initial test. Re-tests which do not require the use of a test lane, will be free of charge. Free re-tests will cover minor visual items for example, replacement of windscreen wiper and registration plates. Re-tests must be completed within 30 days of the initial test or a full test will need to be repeated and charged accordingly.

http://www.nct.ie/faq.html#14

They say that free retests will cover minor visuals, they don't state anywhere that the retest that you pay for will only cover the items that failed in the first test.

How much time elapsed between the first test and the retest?

ligertigon

I was thinking the interference of the linkages was the case.

So, if a headlight bulb was blown, a full retest on the headlight aim should be done?
So, why stop there? re check the tyres in case I did donuts prior to comming in and they wore away, the oil level may have dropped etc.

I don't have a problem with a retest, but they told me what was wrong and what to rectify which is what I did. its a scam if you ask me by not disclosing what they were going to retest.

George Dalton

Lets look at the facts here. Your car's alignment was ok when the car was first tested. Then you had the CV boots done. Now the alignment is not ok.

So who is to blame here? Not the NCT anyway.

If a headlight bulb is blown yes the headlight alignment is checked.
If a brake hose is perished the brake effort must be re-checked.
If there is a hole in the exhaust the emissions must be re-checked.

You get the picture

vicwatson

I was thinking the interference of the linkages was the case.

So, if a headlight bulb was blown, a full retest on the headlight aim should be done?
So, why stop there? re check the tyres in case I did donuts prior to comming in and they wore away, the oil level may have dropped etc.

I don't have a problem with a retest, but they told me what was wrong and what to rectify which is what I did. its a scam if you ask me by not disclosing what they were going to retest.

A recent case in point is my car failed, passenger dim light was out of line, had to pay 28euro as the car had to be put up to have both lights checked, he said the drivers side is slightly out but when I told him it had already passed he said ah yeh it's no problem. Before I went for the retest I call Applus and they told me only the things that fail and are pointed out to you on the day you fail will be retested.

I'd be calling applus if I were you.

The whole test is a joke really, it's a 2008 car with 30k on the clock, hardly a danger on the roads, yet rust buckets are driving around and not a word said, anyway that's another days argument !

CiniO

ligertigon wrote: »

I don't have a problem with a retest, but they told me what was wrong and what to rectify which is what I did. its a scam if you ask me by not disclosing what they were going to retest.

It's not a scam.
You get CV boot fixed by your mechanic, but he put the car out of alignment.
You should be actually grateful to NCT tester as he discovered it, because otherwise you would be driving car which is not roadworthy.

It's your mechanics fault.

ligertigon

CiniO wrote: »

It's not a scam.
You get CV boot fixed by your mechanic, but he put the car out of alignment.
You should be actually grateful to NCT tester as he discovered it, because otherwise you would be driving car which is not roadworthy.

It's your mechanics fault.

Dude, most of the roads I use are not roadworthy:D

Please Kill Me

vicwatson wrote: »

Only test previous fails, they can't fail you on something you've already passed.

That's what I would have thought too!

CiniO

ligertigon wrote: »

Dude, most of the roads I use are not roadworthy:D

I don't believe they are any worse than roads I drive on.
And I agree - they are terrible.
But that's absolutely not a reason to have a faulty car.
On bad roads, you need a properly working car even more.

I spend plenty of money on suspension, which needs some fixes every year - that's how the roads bad are.
On the other hand, there's no any roadchecks, so no one checks motortax - it's always something you can save on to have money for keeping car roadworthy on bad roads.

mgbgt1978

Sorry for being a bit pedantic, but........
They don't specifically check wheel alignment (so you could not be failed for it)
They check side-slip which is not exactly the same thing.

CiniO

mgbgt1978 wrote: »

Sorry for being a bit pedantic, but........
They don't specifically check wheel alignment (so you could not be failed for it)
They check side-slip which is not exactly the same thing.

What is the side-slip then?

mgbgt1978

When you send your car for wheel alignment, it is done at static. The mech will check toe angle, toe angle on turn,camber and caster angle. That is only for the front wheels. If you are doing 4 wheels there are more complicated checks to be carried out.
Cars will still sometimes pull to the left or right (side slip) even though the wheels have just been adjusted using computerised alignment machine. This is because the whole adjustment excercise is been carried out at static without taking in consideration wheel bearing conditions, tie-rod conditions ,tyre wear conditions etc. The reading are perfect but in actual rolling the wheel sometimes still develop lateral pulling force.
So to detect and overcome these lateral pulling force, it is best to drive the car over a side slip tester (tester with moving plate(s))If the reading shows either within -5m or +5m then your wheel slip is not that bad. The mech can make minor adjsutment on the toe angles to offset the pulling and do a re-test.
In other words, while tracking (wheel-alignment) is done while the car is not moving the side slip test is done as the car drives onto the test plate and any "fail" could be caused by a worn ball-joint (for example) rather than just the tracking being out of alignment.

CiniO

mgbgt1978 wrote: »

When you send your car for wheel alignment, it is done at static. The mech will check toe angle, toe angle on turn,camber and caster angle. That is only for the front wheels. If you are doing 4 wheels there are more complicated checks to be carried out.
Cars will still sometimes pull to the left or right (side slip) even though the wheels have just been adjusted using computerised alignment machine. This is because the whole adjustment excercise is been carried out at static without taking in consideration wheel bearing conditions, tie-rod conditions ,tyre wear conditions etc. The reading are perfect but in actual rolling the wheel sometimes still develop lateral pulling force.
So to detect and overcome these lateral pulling force, it is best to drive the car over a side slip tester (tester with moving plate(s))If the reading shows either within -5m or +5m then your wheel slip is not that bad. The mech can make minor adjsutment on the toe angles to offset the pulling and do a re-test.
In other words, while tracking (wheel-alignment) is done while the car is not moving the side slip test is done as the car drives onto the test plate and any "fail" could be caused by a worn ball-joint (for example) rather than just the tracking being out of alignment.

Thanks a million. I didn't know all these.