Is this an NCT Fail?

Yakuza

So the missus had a bit of a low-speed (perhaps 5kph) prang a few weeks ago; she nudged a pole (not a Pole!) while reversing and turning and we have the attached ding over the front driver wheel arch.

I didn't think much of it, it's a bit ugly but doesn't affect the car's driving capability. It only just occurred to me that the NCT testers might take a dim view of it, and just wanted to get some opinions here if it would fail the NCT (due in a few months) if presented as is. There are no sharp bits of plastic sticking out to the front, just deformed metal and plastic on the outside, but that black plastic sticking out (circled in red) is a bit rough to the touch. Would filing it down / bending it under the metal / putting gaffer tape over it be sufficient, or would we be better off biting the bullet and getting it fixed (looking at around €4-500, or about 10% of the value of the car)?


Thanks for your input

Kenny Logins

Page 56 of the manual, 'jagged edges'. Open to interpretation by the inspector I'd say. Give it a kick before you go in.

..the panel that is.


www.ncts.ie/NCT%20Manual%20Revise%20May%202012.pdf

corkgsxr

The quick answer is pop a small bar in and pop the panel over the edge.

ednwireland

corkgsxr wrote: »

The quick answer is pop a small bar in and pop the panel over the edge.

people talking about fixing bodywork always makes me think of this

SleeperService

corkgsxr wrote: »

The quick answer is pop a small bar in and pop the panel over the edge.

Yeah or a big adjustable wrench or something, with some rubber/plastic/whatever to prevent more damage to paint.

Then again, I have used a lump hammer to "fix" crash damage in the past, like edwnirelands post so im quite obviously a cowboy

Yakuza

ednwireland wrote: »

people talking about fixing bodywork always makes me think of this

Sure that'll buff out

joujoujou

Even if fail - only visual, so free of charge retest.

georgefalls

Put Duct tape over it. Cover the edges. It'll pass.

JIdontknow

Just try use a piece of timber and hammer to bend the protruding edge back flush without damaging it too much, or pull edge of wing out to meet if thats easier, then cover with strips of duct tape. NCT just looks for obvious sharp edges, I have seen people use duct tape on bumpers, wing mirror casings etc to hide sharp corners or edges.

Yakuza

A quick update, I got the car beaten back into shape for €50 from the lads in CarCraft and, while it's not perfect, at first glance it looks fine (will post a photo later). I put the car through the NCT the other day, it blimmin failed because the rear (asymmetric) tyres were on inside out (which wasn't spotted by the previous NCT, but that's tale for another thread), but a quick trip the following day to Pat Clifford tyres and €20 later and another spin up to the NCT centre and job done.

Thanks to all for their suggestions. I've no connection to the above two businesses other being a happy customer of theirs and they're local to me.