NCT test "not done", yet charged full fee

beguilingrogue

I paid €55 last week for the NCT for my car. It failed and I had to get that failed bit repaired. However, when I brought it to the mechanic he pointed out that because it failed on one part, other sections of the test paper were simply marked nd/not done, even though I had paid for the test. In other words, we do not know if the 'not done' sections will result in a third visit.

How is the NCT company allowed to charge for the NCT test but not complete it, therefore potentially costing people much more in a third visit because they did not test the areas in question in the first visit? It seems like a blatant money-making racket rather than a road safety issue.

Gumbo

beguilingrogue wrote: »

I paid €55 last week for the NCT for my car. It failed and I had to get that failed bit repaired. However, when I brought it to the mechanic he pointed out that because it failed on one part, other sections of the test paper were simply marked nd/not done, even though I had paid for the test. In other words, we do not know if the 'not done' sections will result in a third visit.

How is the NCT company allowed to charge for the NCT test but not complete it, therefore potentially costing people much more in a third visit because they did not test the areas in question in the first visit? It seems like a blatant money-making racket rather than a road safety issue.

Because for example, if you have one blown bulb, they cannot check headligh alignment.

What exactly did it fail on?

Bpmull

What sections were marked not done and what did it fail on ?

keithclancy

beguilingrogue wrote: »

I paid €55 last week for the NCT for my car. It failed and I had to get that failed bit repaired. However, when I brought it to the mechanic he pointed out that because it failed on one part, other sections of the test paper were simply marked nd/not done, even though I had paid for the test. In other words, we do not know if the 'not done' sections will result in a third visit.

How is the NCT company allowed to charge for the NCT test but not complete it, therefore potentially costing people much more in a third visit because they did not test the areas in question in the first visit? It seems like a blatant money-making racket rather than a road safety issue.

What was the fault ?

Supergurrier

Sounds like a lazy tester to me as this would not be normal procedure

Saucy McKetchup

Supergurrier wrote: »

Sounds like a lazy tester to me as this would not be normal procedure

It is normal, I had a piece of my exhaust missing near the engine therefore they couldn't do the emissions test, it was marked as not done, it's not their fault that they couldn't complete the test, it was mine for not having my car up to scratch

Mycroft H

Saucy McKetchup wrote: »

It is normal, I had a piece of my exhaust missing near the engine therefore they couldn't do the emissions test, it was marked as not done, it's not their fault that they couldn't complete the test, it was mine for not having my car up to scratch

Yes but the suspension, side slip, brake tests for example would be done.

pippip

I had a suspension bush gone and they couldn't do a fair few items before it was sorted.

Jhcx

When i was doing mine. there was too much oil in the car therefore they were unable to check the emissions being a diesel you have to sign the paper.

beguilingrogue

OK. Had to go out to the car to get the form. It failed in the Visual/Aural Defects ==> rear fog lamps, stop lamps, brake fluid, doors/locks and, most expensively, the swinging arm in the Rear Suspension System was 'bent/deformed'.

The 4 N/D sections were two under Side-slip Alignment Test N/D (front and rear axle), and two under 'Brake Test'.

The mechanic gave me the impression that when the NCT fails you on one major thing, they don't complete the test.

Saucy McKetchup

Mycroft H wrote: »

Yes but the suspension, side slip, brake tests for example would be done.

Depends what else was wrong with the car, I also had a worn steering rack so side slip wasn't done, maybe the car just wasn't fit to be tested at all

challengemaster

If you read what's already been said, and combine that knowledge with whats written in paper in front of you it becomes quite obvious.

The alignment tests couldn't be done because you've a broken part in the rear suspension
The brake tests couldn't be done because the car had an issue with the brake fluid

Saucy McKetchup

beguilingrogue wrote: »

OK. Had to go out to the car to get the form. It failed in the Visual/Aural Defects ==> rear fog lamps, stop lamps, brake fluid, doors/locks and, most expensively, the swinging arm in the Rear Suspension System was 'bent/deformed'.

The 4 N/D sections were two under Side-slip Alignment Test N/D (front and rear axle), and two under 'Brake Test'.

The mechanic gave me the impression that when the NCT fails you on one major thing, they don't complete the test.

They weren't done due to the rear suspension being bent or deformed so, that's normal

beguilingrogue

That explains it. Problem solved. Thanks.

Stoolbend

They usually give the reading as well as marking them not done.

Most of the time the test is carried out before the fail item is found.

So they have to retest the brakes because the brake fluid. And the side slip because the rear arm.

BHP

I hope I don't meet that car on the road due to its potential inability to steer and brake!

One or more brake lights must not be working either. Hopefully I will not be driving behind either!

giz_a_job

To orginal poster:
If your car fails one part of NCT they still have to test the rest, so you know what needs repairing for next NCT.
Sounds like a lazy tester, and probably encouraged by their own dodgy system....
a retest should be around 28 euro, but your retest willl be 50-55 full fee, they are all about revenue.
They exception to his is is your car was in too dangerous a condition to contnue the test they can mark it as "not done".
Only a complete dope woupe bring a car in that state....

BUT ..... you sait it failed initially on various lights, stop/fog, etc, as we as other things......
So you deservewhat you get, missing 1 light can happen to anyone,
But you deserveit ld, you didnt check anything.

You my friend failed, just like your NCT (sorry to be so blunt !)

:-)

PS.... some point worth noting:
-> You DONT need NCT to tax your car.
-> Technically you do need insurance to tax your car, but they dont check it, its just a formality, if you enter an incorrect policy number whn doing tax online, they dont check it, and it goes through !
-> Tax is about revenue, nothing else ! (VRT is a great example, proven to be illegal by european law !!!!!!!)
-> Gardai check for tax only, nothing else, them looking at or asking about insurance or NCT is just to delay you at a check point while they decide if there is anything bogey about you, which I fully support, they have feck-all power, and if your law abiding, then let them do their bit. No fear.

CJhaughey

giz_a_job wrote: »

-> Gardai check for tax only, nothing else, them looking at or asking about insurance or NCT is just to delay you at a check point while they decide if there is anything bogey about you, which I fully support, they have feck-all power, and if your law abiding, then let them do their bit. No fear.

ehhhh...you can have 5 points added on to your license for not having a valid NCT
Its not inconsequential.

mgbgt1978

giz_a_job wrote: »

To orginal poster:

a retest should be around 28 euro, but your retest willl be 50-55 full fee, they are all about revenue.

...eh, no it won't. It will be the retest fee only (as long as the car is retested within 28 days).