NCT - Long waiting times.

yawhat!

So just getting around to get the NCT done which expired at the end of March. I can't get a booking now till the 1st of July, three months away!!

Is this the normal waiting time for the NCT if you dont have it booked three months in advance. Will a the guards do me if the NCT is not valid?

The waiting time is ridiculous really!

lomb

Same for me Im trying to NCT two of the folks cars. Its either wait for a sooner appointment or book one in advance not sure whats up.

I8A4RE

log on regularly and you'll get a date that will suit you. I booked mine January and got a date in march, logged on following day and got a booking for 2 weeks later.

Alanstrainor

Got a date for 6 days in advance by just checking online one evening. Check regularly and they pop up, you have to be quick when they do however.

yawhat!

will give it a few checks over the few weeks. Still ridiculous really!

Alanstrainor

yawhat! wrote: »

will give it a few checks over the few weeks. Still ridiculous really!

I should say, that this was 2 weeks ago.

Skatedude

sounds about right, keep ringing them for cancellations

CiniO

yawhat! wrote: »

So just getting around to get the NCT done which expired at the end of March. I can't get a booking now till the 1st of July, three months away!!

Is this the normal waiting time for the NCT if you dont have it booked three months in advance. Will a the guards do me if the NCT is not valid?

The waiting time is ridiculous really!

Assuming you didn't accept the booking for July, all you need to do is to ring them and request an appointment within 28 days.
If they won't be able to provide this appointment within 28 days, they will have to give you the test for free.
And as obviously giving free tests is not best for their business, they will find you an appointment within 28 days.

yawhat!

CiniO wrote: »

Assuming you didn't accept the booking for July, all you need to do is to ring them and request an appointment within 28 days.
If they won't be able to provide this appointment within 28 days, they will have to give you the test for free.
And as obviously giving free tests is not best for their business, they will find you an appointment within 28 days.

cheers

Red Silurian

I'll be giving them a call tomorrow, NCT up in late May,

Am I correct in saying that if they can't offer me a test before then I'll only have the NCT for 1 year (as she's a 2004)

I think though I'll be getting it for free as their customer charter clearly states on the 4th point down that:

"The customer will be provided with a test free of charge where an appointment cannot be offered within a four week period"

Am i correct in saying that booking online is out as the charter also states that this is only applicable if

The Customer has not previously accepted a booking outside of the 4 week period

CiniO

colmtheperson wrote: »

I'll be giving them a call tomorrow, NCT up in late May,

Am I correct in saying that if they can't offer me a test before then I'll only have the NCT for 1 year (as she's a 2004)

Assuming your NCT due date comes around the same period as anniversary of your first registration, then you will only get NCT valid for 1 year from May anyway, no matter if you do it before or after due date.

I think though I'll be getting it for free as their customer charter clearly states on the 4th point down that:

"The customer will be provided with a test free of charge where an appointment cannot be offered within a four week period"

Am i correct in saying that booking online is out as the charter also states that this is only applicable if

The Customer has not previously accepted a booking outside of the 4 week period

You need to request a test within 28 days.
Otherwise you won't get it for free.
And if you request it, most likely you will also not get it for free, as they will offer you an appointment within 28 days.

slimjimmc

OP, now you know why you're allowed to book the test up to 90 days before the due date.
Some of the following might get you a booking quickly
-- keep checking the website daily for a slot (also consider other centres even if they're a bit further away),
-- or ring them daily and you might get a cancellation slot, I believe 9am is a good time to ring. You need to be ready to do the test at a moments notice.
-- or ring and tell them you can't get a booking within 28 days of due date. Their customer charter states that if they can't get you a slot in a nearby centre within the next 28 days then the test is free so long as you haven't already booked a later date . They don't like giving free tests unnecessarily so you'll likely get a test date for within 28 days.

And yes a Garda can do you for no NCT. The penalties are heavy. A month might be ok but it's entirely at his discretion, 3 months is risky imo.

galwaytt

I lodged a complaint with the minister on this, yesterday.

Long story short., I went through this last year with the same car. This year I tried to get ahead this year by booking more than 90 days early. But they refused to take the booking stating I wasn't allowed to. When I booked at the 90 day mark the lead time was. .... More than 90 days. ...

On the phone this week they told me you are not entitled to the free test unless you book on the phone. To get a cancellation I have to forfeit my existing booking...... and to the back of the queue.

After this many years into their contact Applus have failed. Miserably. Since my booking last year I see no improvement at all.

Complete bull****. They have no place running the NCT.

pudzey101

My test isint up until September 14 and rang today to have it booked it for June 20th Better off booking your test in advance etc rather than waiting for waiting times , cancellations etc

wotzgoingon

My NCT is not due till 31st July but I got it booked in last week for 8th May. I like to get it done in advance.

yawhat!

I'll know in future!