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Micro-cars NCT exempt?

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  • 14-04-2014 6:54pm
    #1
    Lorraine77
    Registered Users Posts: 12 ✭


    I've seen ads for electric and diesel micro-cars (500cc) that say they are NCT exempt. They're not listed on the NCT website as being an exempt vehicle. Does anyone know the status of these cars?
    Tagged:


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    #2
    Supergurrier
    Registered Users Posts: 7,292 ✭✭✭Supergurrier


    Those aren't cars though.

    Just an embarrassing way to die.


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    #3
    Lorraine77
    Registered Users Posts: 12 ✭Lorraine77


    lol! That's very helpful Supergurrier.


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    #4
    ba_barabus
    Registered Users Posts: 9,615 ✭✭✭ba_barabus


    Aren't they quads?


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    #5
    the_syco
    Registered Users Posts: 37,297 ✭✭✭✭the_syco


    Lorraine77 wrote: »
    I've seen ads for electric and diesel micro-cars (500cc) that say they are NCT exempt. They're not listed on the NCT website as being an exempt vehicle. Does anyone know the status of these cars?
    Are they allowed legally on the road, do they need a registration plate, and is there a limit to their speed?


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    #6
    dgt
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,985 ✭✭✭✭dgt


    Classed as a quadricycle?


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    #7
    forestgray
    Registered Users Posts: 58 ✭✭forestgray


    dgt wrote: »
    Classed as a quadricycle?

    Yes. That's their trick.


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    #8
    Lorraine77
    Registered Users Posts: 12 ✭Lorraine77


    the_syco wrote: »
    Are they allowed legally on the road, do they need a registration plate, and is there a limit to their speed?

    They have registration plates. I've heard it said they're quadricycles and can be driven on a motorcycle licence or car licence. Here are some on autotrader http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/aixam

    They have to do an MOT in Britain. I don't know why they wouldn't be allowed on the road! Here's an electric version for sale in Ireland - you can see it says NCT Exempt http://www.carzone.ie/search/Aixam/Mega-City/Electric/201301220756642/advert?channel=CARS


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    #9
    CiniO
    Registered Users Posts: 16,072 ✭✭✭✭CiniO


    forestgray wrote: »
    Yes. That's their trick.

    If B1 licence existed in Ireland, they could be driven on it.


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    #10
    Lorraine77
    Registered Users Posts: 12 ✭Lorraine77


    I've seen them classed as a quadricycle - wouldn't that make them illegal on the roads? How can they be NCT exempt as a quad but still allowed on the road!


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    #11
    Lorraine77
    Registered Users Posts: 12 ✭Lorraine77


    the_syco wrote: »
    Are they allowed legally on the road, do they need a registration plate, and is there a limit to their speed?
    To the best of my knowledge they're legally allowed on the road. Definitely have reg plates. Not sure how they're allowed on the road though if it's true that they're classed as a quad. Here's an electric one: http://www.carzone.ie/search/Aixam/Mega-City/Electric/201301220756642/advert?channel=CARS


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    #12
    ba_barabus
    Registered Users Posts: 9,615 ✭✭✭ba_barabus


    Lorraine77 wrote: »
    I've seen them classed as a quadricycle - wouldn't that make them illegal on the roads? How can they be NCT exempt as a quad but still allowed on the road!

    Quads can be used on the roads


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    #13
    the_syco
    Registered Users Posts: 37,297 ✭✭✭✭the_syco


    Could you link to one of the ads?


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    #14
    Sitec
    Registered Users Posts: 2,964 ✭✭✭Sitec


    Were one liter vans in the same bracket a few years ago?


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    #15
    Alanstrainor
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 23,157 Mod ✭✭✭✭Alanstrainor


    Lorraine77 wrote: »
    To the best of my knowledge they're legally allowed on the road. Definitely have reg plates. Not sure how they're allowed on the road though if it's true that they're classed as a quad. Here's an electric one: http://www.carzone.ie/search/Aixam/Mega-City/Electric/201301220756642/advert?channel=CARS

    The price of that too! I'd rather have a ford fiesta for 2 grand than that death trap. And it's rated for 50->70km, which is a joke, i bet it gets a lot less.


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    #16
    Mycroft H
    Registered Users Posts: 9,313 ✭✭✭Mycroft H


    Alanstrainor wrote: »
    The price of that too! I'd rather have a ford fiesta for 2 grand than that death trap. And it's rated for 50->70km, which is a joke, i bet it gets a lot less.

    But it has sports suspension. Bargain.


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    #17
    Lorraine77
    Registered Users Posts: 12 ✭Lorraine77


    http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/aixam

    so they're classed as quads which makes them NCT exempt? Wonder could I insure one on my multibike insurance......


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    #18
    CiniO
    Registered Users Posts: 16,072 ✭✭✭✭CiniO


    From Wikipedia
    The company currently produces the Aixam A.7XX series (powered by Kubota diesel engines), a microcar comparable with the Smart. A notable difference is that some of the smaller models are restricted to 45 km/h (30 mph) and can be driven without a driver's licence in some European countries (including Belgium, Estonia, France, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, and Slovenia, but not the UK).[citation needed]

    In Britain they are classified as a category L7e quadricycle (quad bike) because of their weight and power output.[3] This requires a category B1 licence to legally drive them.[4] the law has changed in the uk from jan 2013 the car can now be driven by full AM license holders

    I suppose that's the main thing that makes them worth for some people - ablity to drive it without driving licence, or just B1 or AM in some countries.

    As there is no B1 in Ireland, I wonder if it's possible to drive it with AM licence here - but I doubt it.

    I can't really see too much of benefits from being exempt from NCT, except from saving 55 quid a year.


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    #19
    Lorraine77
    Registered Users Posts: 12 ✭Lorraine77


    CiniO wrote: »
    From Wikipedia



    I suppose that's the main thing that makes them worth for some people - ablity to drive it without driving licence, or just B1 or AM in some countries.

    As there is no B1 in Ireland, I wonder if it's possible to drive it with AM licence here - but I doubt it.

    I can't really see too much of benefits from being exempt from NCT, except from saving 55 quid a year.

    It might take longer to discover you've bought a total turkey!


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    #20
    the_syco
    Registered Users Posts: 37,297 ✭✭✭✭the_syco


    CiniO wrote: »
    I can't really see too much of benefits from being exempt from NCT, except from saving 55 quid a year.
    From http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/aixam-a751-super-luxe-diesel/6562996
    Was Used Behind Camper with Towing Dolly
    So I'm thinking it's used as a "2nd" car whilst on holidays, which would make sense, as it'd allow you to drive around whilst the camper is on a caravan site.
    Lorraine77 wrote: »
    http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/aixam

    so they're classed as quads which makes them NCT exempt? Wonder could I insure one on my multibike insurance......
    Hrm. Seems you can drive one with a scooter license in the UK. I'd say the insurance would be low for one, even over here, as the speed is limited.


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    #21
    Wossack
    Registered Users Posts: 7,004 ✭✭✭Wossack


    unless you've a farm, I believe it to be almost impossible to get insurance for quad bikes - presume these would be the same


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    #22
    H3llR4iser
    Registered Users Posts: 4,027 ✭✭✭H3llR4iser


    Wossack wrote: »
    unless you've a farm, I believe it to be almost impossible to get insurance for quad bikes - presume these would be the same

    They are not quad bikes but "motorised quadricycles" that have to comply with a strict set of rules:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorised_quadricycle


    As for the "no NCT" part, they follow the same rules that are in place for scooter: if there is no NCT for them, then there isn't any for these "microcars". They can be assimilated to a "Piaggio Ape", if you wish.


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