Is the NCT booking website faulty, or am I?

Fogmatic

I've read threads on the subject, and know I can just ring them and & be offered the next available slot at a given centre. But I also wanted to use the website, to at least get some picture of how far ahead each of my nearest centres is booked.

I know it's worth also checking online in the mornings for cancellations. All I want to know at the moment is whether the website itself is working or not?

What happens is; I can log in, confirm vehicle & choose a centre & a date, but there are no times to select from (and the time box isn't writeable in). Today's date, and the date I've selected, are the only highlighted ones. I tried 5 centres, up to December & found no other dates marked in any way. I also tried December at about 10 other random centres; still nothing. Same whether Firefox or Internet Explorer.

wotzgoingon

What's available is in green.

grosser

Keep trying. I had the same problem. There are cancellations all the time so just check the website a few times a day.

maringo

I found it glitchy. Nearest date I could book was in April (green) and it didn't seem to register it maybe because I didnt put in payment as I will be paying at the Centre for it. I'll be ringing them tomorrow they're open 8am-8pm for calls Mon - Thurs.

Fogmatic

Thanks all.
I didn't see any green highlights, or any other colour on the calenders for the whole year (apart from on the date I selected).
Useful to know it's not my setttings or something. I'll just try again in the morning, before I ring them.

I'm sure a well-designed/tested website would have saved them money in the long run!

djimi

The website doesnt seem to bear any resemblence to their phone system. Pick up the phone at 9am tomorrow and see when the next date they have it; Id be amazed if its not a lot sooner than the website is offering.

SleeperService

djimi wrote: »

The website doesnt seem to bear any resemblence to their phone system. Pick up the phone at 9am tomorrow and see when the next date they have it; Id be amazed if its not a lot sooner than the website is offering.

Yup, this is the only answer unfortunately. It's obviously not technologically possible in 2014 to have a website that allows you to book a legally required inspection quickly and efficiently.

You'd think it would be a priority to get the website sorted seeing as having no nct is 5 times more dangerous than driving the wrong way on a motorway.

Blazer

just email them at bookings@nct.ie
very good to reply back.

Fogmatic

Thanks!
Missed the early time this morning, but should be able to do tomorrow (& will try email meanwhile).

bazz26

Why not just ring them?

Stella Virgo

Fogmatic wrote: »

I've read threads on the subject, and know I can just ring them and & be offered the next available slot at a given centre. But I also wanted to use the website, to at least get some picture of how far ahead each of my nearest centres is booked.

I know it's worth also checking online in the mornings for cancellations. All I want to know at the moment is whether the website itself is working or not?

What happens is; I can log in, confirm vehicle & choose a centre & a date, but there are no times to select from (and the time box isn't writeable in). Today's date, and the date I've selected, are the only highlighted ones. I tried 5 centres, up to December & found no other dates marked in any way. I also tried December at about 10 other random centres; still nothing. Same whether Firefox or Internet Explorer.

:rolleyes:move the months foward until APRIL !!!! there is no slots available until april ,and they are being taken fast.

wonski

Fogmatic wrote: »

I've read threads on the subject, and know I can just ring them and & be offered the next available slot at a given centre. But I also wanted to use the website, to at least get some picture of how far ahead each of my nearest centres is booked.

I know it's worth also checking online in the mornings for cancellations. All I want to know at the moment is whether the website itself is working or not?

What happens is; I can log in, confirm vehicle & choose a centre & a date, but there are no times to select from (and the time box isn't writeable in). Today's date, and the date I've selected, are the only highlighted ones. I tried 5 centres, up to December & found no other dates marked in any way. I also tried December at about 10 other random centres; still nothing. Same whether Firefox or Internet Explorer.

Give it few seconds to load the dates. Just book mine for April in Naas - the date showed up few seconds after so the website is working. Not too many dates available, none in February and March. Mine is valid till 14/04 so will have 10 days to get it done on time.

ofcork

Mine is up in april and the site wont let me book a new test,the one I did in 2012 keeps coming up.

jprboy

It's worthwhile checking the website circa midnight.

I wasn't having any luck with finding any available dates until April but over the weekend I logged on just before midnight and got our two cars booked in for tests in 2 weeks time.

They were in all likelihood cancellations so it's worth trying this.

ofcork

Got there eventually date in April

Fogmatic

bazz26 wrote: »

Why not just ring them?

Yes, I'm going to. First thing in the morning, for more chance of cancellations (the only reason I haven't yet is a heavy cold making me oversleep).
The reason I tried to do it online first was for an overall picture of how far ahead each reachable centre was booked (rather than do all the asking & note-scribbling on the phone, before I can juggle dates v. distances).

Stella Virgo wrote: »

:rolleyes:move the months foward until APRIL !!!! there is no slots available until april ,and they are being taken fast.

That's what I've been doing, looking at all the months to December, repeatedly, for lots of centres. Without any sign of life from the website, apart from being able to highlight a date. That's why I wanted to know if the website was faulty, so as not to waste time trying (or checking my settings).
Thanks for the tip re April.

wonski; thanks for that, but it doesn't work for me (I've tried going away & doing something else, for half an hour sometimes).

Thanks jprboy - I'll try late evening if I can (perhaps it's busy times that the website can't cope with).

dantastic

I just booked in one of our cars which is due at the end of this month.
Admittedly I left it too late to book as I had forgot all about it. But anyway, Was checking the web site a few times a day for a few days and finally there it was, a time at my local center for next week.

happy days

..Brian..

Yea I was the same. Was trying to book one in Waterford for about a week, though it was a website error. Eventually phoned them last week only to be told the earliest appointment in Waterford was April! So I'm booked in for then unless there's a cancellation.

I then got a text message yesterday to say I was booked in for 8am 02/03 in Mullingar. Called me back and advised I lived in Waterford and now I'm back on the waitlist.

Fogmatic

Just to update; I rang them and got on the priority list for my nearest centre, & they said I'd get a text within 10 days. 2 weeks or so later, no text, so rang again & they said I was near the top of the list. Eventually got a text saying NCT confirmed for June 5th. (Maybe holiday-season cancellations come in early, from people booking holidays in advance?).
I don't know if there should be a booking number, or if I have to do anything to accept or decline the booking (tried to reply to the text but not possible). So I'd better ring them again I guess (hey ho...).

I still wish I could see on the website which dates are booked & where (then there might be a chance of happening on an earlier cancellation).

jprboy

Fogmatic wrote: »

Just to update; I rang them and got on the priority list for my nearest centre, & they said I'd get a text within 10 days. 2 weeks or so later, no text, so rang again & they said I was near the top of the list. Eventually got a text saying NCT confirmed for June 5th. (Maybe holiday-season cancellations come in early, from people booking holidays in advance?).
I don't know if there should be a booking number, or if I have to do anything to accept or decline the booking (tried to reply to the text but not possible). So I'd better ring them again I guess (hey ho...).

I still wish I could see on the website which dates are booked & where (then there might be a chance of happening on an earlier cancellation).

Letterkenny - Tuesday, April 8 - 10.55 am and 01.15 pm are now available. Better get in there quick, though !

Fogmatic

Thank you for that, jprboy!

I tried the 'rescheduling' facility online, in case it was a part of the website that worked (and was reminded that we can give the 1st registration date instead of a booking number). But it sent me back to the same calendar page. Unfortunately, by the time I got through on the phone this morning, both slots were gone.

They suggested I keep ringing on the offchance, which I will (it's probably all I can do). I was planning a UK road trip this spring, and it would be nice to get that thorough checkup first (and not having to go into tedious explanations if stopped would be a bonus!).