NCT Query

sogood

1. Ensure that the average lead time for an appointment at an individual test centre is less than three weeks and no greater than four weeks. The customer will be provided with a test free of charge where an appointment cannot be offered within a four week period provided that:

• The Customer has not declined a test appointment (either confirmed or provisional) more than twice, at a centre of their choosing, for the test due at this time
• The Customer has not previously accepted a booking outside of the 4 week period.

The above is what the NCTs' customer charter says. So, on Monday 16th last,I booked my car in for its' test, due on January 27th. The earliest date available was for January 31st. almost 6 weeks away. So, on that basis, am I entitled to a free test?

No big deal, just wondering. Thanks.

Toyotafanboi

not so, because you accepted the booking for the 31st. i think

dharma200

All you do is phone them, they give you a test within prescribed time......

CiniO

If you accepted a booking for 31st January, then you are not entitled to free test.

You didn't specify though if you accepted it or not, so we don't know.

What you should have done, was to refuse to accept appointment on 31st, and request an appointment within 4 weeks. You would get it then most likely, as they will do everything they can to avoid giving you a free test.

sogood

Yes, I thought it was something like that. I accepted the date given and so be it. Like I said, just wondering. Thanks for the replies.

mgbgt1978

Has to be done by phone. you cannot reject a test date online.
They will usually ask for a couple of days to get back to you, and will text you back with a test date that falls within the 4 weeks.
It's been said before here (and I'll say it again) that it's not any special offer from the NCT, it's part of their contract with the government.
I have never heard of anyone getting a free test from them for this and nobody on here has claimed to have got one either......open to correction on this but a search of boards.ie came up with nothing.

soggod, check out their website. You may be able to cancel the current booking (if you haven't paid by card) and then phone them looking for a test within 4 weeks.

sogood

mgbgt1978 wrote: »

Has to be done by phone. you cannot reject a test date online.
They will usually ask for a couple of days to get back to you, and will text you back with a test date that falls within the 4 weeks.
It's been said before here (and I'll say it again) that it's not any special offer from the NCT, it's part of their contract with the government.
I have never heard of anyone getting a free test from them for this and nobody on here has claimed to have got one either......open to correction on this but a search of boards.ie came up with nothing.

soggod, check out their website. You may be able to cancel the current booking (if you haven't paid by card) and then phone them looking for a test within 4 weeks.

Thanks again and just to clarify, I wasn't actually looking for free test. Just trying to clarify what the NCTs' position is. I did look on the NCT site, from which I got my information. The opening section on my original post is a direct "transplant" from their site, I haven't paid yet and will do so on the day. No worries and thanks again.