Arleitiss' NCT thread

arleitiss

Don't want to start new thread so...
I have NCT tomorrow, I am just wondering few things about it, I've never put a car through nct yet.

1) If it fails NCT, can I drive off or book re-test?

2) Bit worried about failing because of handbrake, the e46's are pretty **** with handbrake, I had new brake shoes/rotors fitted, but:
When I enter my parking lot, I usually park up on a hill to step out and close gate, the hill is about 30-35 degree steep, the car holds on handbrake only if it's pulled up by like 5-6 clicks, with 3 clicks it wont hold on that hill ,but it does work ok in traffic.
Also handbrake doesn't hold car if it's rolling backwards.

3) I have rear fog lights, but only one of them, only on the right, the left has a lens for it but has no socket for bulb, I assume it wont fail because of the way it was manufactured?)

4) Non working/disconnected outside temperature sensor, says it's - 40'c outside, does that count as failed warning light?

5) Is car lifted during nct inspection?

Thanks.

Stheno

arleitiss wrote: »

Don't want to start new thread so...
I have NCT tomorrow, I am just wondering few things about it, I've never put a car through nct yet.

1) If it fails NCT, can I drive off or book re-test?

2) Bit worried about failing because of handbrake, the e46's are pretty **** with handbrake, I had new brake shoes/rotors fitted, but:
When I enter my parking lot, I usually park up on a hill to step out and close gate, the hill is about 30-35 degree steep, the car holds on handbrake only if it's pulled up by like 5-6 clicks, with 3 clicks it wont hold on that hill ,but it does work ok in traffic.
Also handbrake doesn't hold car if it's rolling backwards.

3) I have rear fog lights, but only one of them, only on the right, the left has a lens for it but has no socket for bulb, I assume it wont fail because of the way it was manufactured?)

4) Non working/disconnected outside temperature sensor, says it's - 40'c outside, does that count as failed warning light?

5) Is car lifted during nct inspection?

Thanks.

1. If it fails you have to book a re-test, you can't do one straight away.

2. That sounds like it's likely to fail tbh.

3. Unsure on this.

4. Most likely not, usually apart from e.g. airbag, handbrake light that come on and go off when you start the engine, they ignore warning lights on petrol cars.

5. Eh yes, they inspect the underside of the car for rust, check the suspension, the brake lines, look for holes in the exhaust just to give a few examples.

arleitiss

Stheno wrote: »

1. If it fails you have to book a re-test, you can't do one straight away.

2. That sounds like it's likely to fail tbh.

3. Unsure on this.

4. Most likely not, usually apart from e.g. airbag, handbrake light that come on and go off when you start the engine, they ignore warning lights on petrol cars.

5. Eh yes, they inspect the underside of the car for rust, check the suspension, the brake lines, look for holes in the exhaust just to give a few examples.

Can I drive off to mechanics if I fail?

Stheno

arleitiss wrote: »

Can I drive off to mechanics if I fail?

Yes, you can drive away from the test centre.
You will need to book a re-test to be done within 28 days or else they will do the entire test again.

Just thinking about it, I'd be fairly certain you will fail on that handbrake, if it won't hold the car rolling backwards then it's not in great condition.

arleitiss

Stheno wrote: »

Yes, you can drive away from the test centre.
You will need to book a re-test to be done within 28 days or else they will do the entire test again.

Just thinking about it, I'd be fairly certain you will fail on that handbrake, if it won't hold the car rolling backwards then it's not in great condition.

well it doesn't handle car in the 30-35 degree hill, unless: I apply the handbrake like 6 clicks up (I assume they don't test handbrake for only 3 clicks?)

Stheno

arleitiss wrote: »

well it doesn't handle car in the 30-35 degree hill, unless: I apply the handbrake like 6 clicks up (I assume they don't test handbrake for only 3 clicks?)

Page eighteen of the NCT Test Manual and what is covered details how they test the handbrake

Excessive travel of the handbrake is a fail.

challengemaster

arleitiss wrote: »

Can I drive off to mechanics if I fail?

Unless they deem it a fail dangerous, in which case if you drive away the gardaí will be notified

arleitiss

Stheno wrote: »

Page eighteen of the NCT Test Manual and what is covered details how they test the handbrake

Excessive travel of the handbrake is a fail.

I guess it's the handbrake cables are bad, because it was adjusted to the max, but still is bad.

arleitiss

challengemaster wrote: »

Unless they deem it a fail dangerous, in which case if you drive away the gardaí will be notified

in which case i assume I can use my insurers extra towing service for free?

Stheno

arleitiss wrote: »

in which case i assume I can use my insurers extra towing service for free?

Depends on your policy tbh, you should check it beforehand.

arleitiss

Stheno wrote: »

Depends on your policy tbh, you should check it beforehand.

I doubt car will be failed to such state where it will be dangerous, tyres are new, brake system is fully new (except for handbrake cables)

Stheno

arleitiss wrote: »

I doubt car will be failed to such state where it will be dangerous, tyres are new, brake system is fully new (except for handbrake cables)

Good so, best to check the insurance policy around towing just in case if you are worried.

arleitiss

Stheno wrote: »

Good so, best to check the insurance policy around towing just in case if you are worried.

Just out of curiosity, what kind of damage would make it fully failed? no brakes?

arleitiss

Failed on the following:
Antil roll bar links are broken.
Ball joins offside front and nearside front.
inner tie rod end.
and obviously a handbrake, they it's the drivers side cable.

Other than that, it was all okay.

Any idea how much it would roughly cost to fix?

Stheno

Are you doing the work yourself or getting a mechanic to do it?

biko

Moved to own thread

1) If it fails NCT, can I drive off or book re-test?
Yes

2) Bit worried about failing because of handbrake, the e46's are pretty **** with handbrake, I had new brake shoes/rotors fitted, but:
When I enter my parking lot, I usually park up on a hill to step out and close gate, the hill is about 30-35 degree steep, the car holds on handbrake only if it's pulled up by like 5-6 clicks, with 3 clicks it wont hold on that hill ,but it does work ok in traffic.
Also handbrake doesn't hold car if it's rolling backwards.
Might fail, put through anyway.

3) I have rear fog lights, but only one of them, only on the right, the left has a lens for it but has no socket for bulb, I assume it wont fail because of the way it was manufactured?)
Not fail

4) Non working/disconnected outside temperature sensor, says it's - 40'c outside, does that count as failed warning light?
No

5) Is car lifted during nct inspection?
Yes

The fail items
If you're not doing these things DIY, get some quotes from local garages - compare and go with the best garage.

mickdw

Not a bad result tbh.

arleitiss

Yeah I think it could've been worse, like emissions.

here is the report, also the tester said he doesn't know what's wrong and why did dipped lights fail, they seem good but computer marked it as fail for some reason.