NCT fail with 3 months remaining on cert

CiniO

Evolving wrote: »

It`s been an interesting debate on whether an early failed NCT should invalidate the remaining time on the original cert and disc. I`m of the opinion that it should invalidate it, but after calling the NCT enquiries department, they tell me it actually won`t. Food for thought then on what role the NCT actually has on the safety of cars on our roads. :rolleyes:

Answer is very straight-forward.
NCT forces people to have their vehicles tested every year (two years), and therefore it highly help that most cars are kept in roadworthy or nearly-roadworthy condition.

You must admit that during one year between test, car can deteriorate much less, than if it wasn't tested for 10 years or something.

NCT disc/cert is issued only for the purposes of reminding owner when is the next test due and for garda to make sure drivers adhere to test due dates.
NCT cert/disc validity date has absolutely nothing to do with car worthiness/unworthiness that's why I can't see any reason for previous disc/cert being invalidated after failing a test.

Henry Ford III

Gophur wrote: »

An NCT pass does not mean your car is road-worthy.

A fail could be something very simple and safe. If an inspector spots a dangerous fail you will not be allowed drive the car away.

If it's not an opinion on a car being roadworthy what exactly is it then? See post #9 above.

Henry Ford III

http://www.nct.ie/the_test.html

the National Car Test Makes Sense:

1. Greater Road Safety
The NCT tests the roadworthiness of motor vehicles and identifies any defects, such as faulty brakes, Suspension and rusty bodywork. These defects must be repaired and the car must pass a re-test before the car owner will be issued with an NCT Certificate.

CiniO

Henry Ford III wrote: »

I find this a bit mind boggling tbh. It's also quite incredible that someone can have a car fail it's NCT and then just drive it away afterwards. It could be the worst deathtrap imaginable.

Most NCT fails don't bring direct danger, thats why you can drive off and have a month to repair the fails.

If car was really dangerous, then you get "dangerous fail" report and you are not allowed to drive a car.

Our man in Havana

What power do the NCT have to prohibit a vehicle?

Henry Ford III

Our man in Havana wrote: »

What power do the NCT have to prohibit a vehicle?

From RSA site....

Fail Dangerous

Where a vehicle has a dangerous defect i.e. a defect that constitutes a direct and immediate risk to road safety such that the vehicle should not be used on the road under any circumstances, the NCT vehicle inspector will issue a Failed Dangerous result.

It is an offence to drive a dangerously defective vehicle on the public road. The penalty for such an offence is a fine of up to €2000 and 5 penalty points on conviction and/or 3 months imprisonment, (Offence under Section 54 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 and related amendments).

When the result is Failed Dangerous the NCT vehicle inspector will advise you as follows:

Of the existence, extent and nature of the defect.
That if you drive a mechanically propelled vehicle in a public place while there is a defect affecting the vehicle which you know of or could have discovered by the exercise of ordinary care and which is such that the vehicle is, when in motion, a danger to the public, you shall be guilty of an offence.
That in the opinion of NCTS the vehicle is dangerous.
That you must make arrangements to have the vehicle removed from the test centre.

A sticker stating “Failed Dangerous” will be attached to the vehicle and the vehicle inspector will issue you with a statement regarding requirements for vehicles with a failed dangerous result.

slimjimmc

Don't forget road-worthiness covers more than the vehicle's safety, it includes legal requirements for using a car on the road. A car could fail the NCT for having a non-compliant number plate, faulty number plate lighting or faulty reversing lamps (where fitted), or even a noisy exhaust, none of which make the car unsafe to use on the road.

Gurgle

CiniO wrote: »

After failing your NCT, you know that your car is not roadworthy.

But this is the problem, the NCT is not about safety / roadworthiness.

Even when carried out honestly its a check of compliance with regulations, from the noise output of your exhaust to the font on your number plate.

Put it this way; your car may be safe and roadworthy in every meaningful way and still fail the NCT.

CiniO

Gurgle wrote: »

But this is the problem, the NCT is not about safety / roadworthiness.

Even when carried out honestly its a check of compliance with regulations, from the noise output of your exhaust to the font on your number plate.

Put it this way; your car may be safe and roadworthy in every meaningful way and still fail the NCT.

I always thought that "car being roadworthy" means that it fulfills all technical requirements set by law.

Can't see then how could it be roadworthy and fail NCT.

Gurgle

CiniO wrote: »

I always thought that "car being roadworthy" means that it fulfills all technical requirements set by law.

I would interpret 'roadworthy' as meaning that there is nothing about the vehicle that makes it unsafe to drive. As per my previous example, the font on the number plate does not affect the car's road-worthiness but may lead to an NCT failure.

Gophur

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Gophur wrote: »

An NCT pass does not mean your car is road-worthy.

A fail could be something very simple and safe. If an inspector spots a dangerous fail you will not be allowed drive the car away.

If it's not an opinion on a car being roadworthy what exactly is it then? See post #9 above.

It is a statement the car was roadworthy at the moment it was tested. 100 metres down the road it means nothing.

The day after the test the cert is worthless if you want to use it to prove your car IS roadworthy.

CiniO

Gurgle wrote: »

I would interpret 'roadworthy' as meaning that there is nothing about the vehicle that makes it unsafe to drive. As per my previous example, the font on the number plate does not affect the car's road-worthiness but may lead to an NCT failure.

By relating roadworthiness only with vehicle being safe, you are making a mistake.

Car with broken exhaust is fully safe to drive, but can make horrible noise, which might inconvienance 100s of people.

Car with wrong font of numberplate, is fully safe, but if driver commits an offence (or crime) - for example hit and run - it might be very difficult for anyone else to read his number plate.

Generally speaking roadworthiness is not only about safety.
It's about all technical aspects required by law

Gurgle

CiniO wrote: »

Generally speaking roadworthiness is not only about safety.
It's about all technical aspects required by law

Yeah, fair enough.
I guess the safety / pollution focus was just propaganda to convince us it was all a good idea.