Car Service versus Pre NCT

highgiant1985

Hi Folks,

My question is how does a car service normally differ from a pre NCT? i.e. are they not covering the same function that the car is in good condition.

Everything else below is just back ground / detail I've tried to look in to myself on this.

I have to apologise up front as well as I just don't know much at all about cars and have only been driving 8 months. I'm driving a 2001 Toyota. The NCT for my car is up the end of May and I've a date booked for it to go to the NCT. Its also over due for a service at the moment. From looking in to it I see my local garage advertises that the following items are included in a Pre-NCT inspection:

Brakes
Exhaust emissions
Steering and suspension
Wheels and tyres
Chassis and under body
Lights, Glass and mirrors
Chassis and under body
Electrical systems
Interior
Fuel system

They don't have a break down for a general service so I'm wondering whats usually the difference. From searching other threads in this forum such as: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056552254 People seem to strongly suggest not bothering with a pre NCT but I figure if it needs a service any way would it not make sense?

galwayjohn89

Does the Pre NCT include changing oil/filter etc

Noccy_Mondy

It's up to yourself, the car should have oil, filters etc changed every year or 10,000 miles, whichever is sooner, and it doesn't appear from your list that they are included in the Pre NCT check, I wouldn't expect them to be anyway. If you feel that the car will more than likely fail the NCT, then put it through, and get your list of things that need to be sorted. Then along with fixing them, get it serviced, (oil changed etc). What I would do myself is service it and get it ready for the NCT all together and then put it through. If it fails, then go back and sort out whatever the issues are.

bazz26

A car should be serviced at a set interval irrespective of whether it is due a NCT or not. What needs attention during a service will depend on what the manufacturer recommends to be done at that mileage or time interval and will also depend on what was done at the previous service interval.

The NCT is a roadworthiness test to make sure the car is fit to be on the road, it is not a test to check if the car is mechanically sound. People should not wait until their NCT to get their car serviced unless it is actually due a service around the same time.

These Pre NCT checks imo are a waste of money, they are only best guesses at what the car might fail on based on common failures, they are not a guarantee of a pass. You could end up spending money on a list of things and still end up failing.

So to summarise, if your car is due a service then get it serviced, irrespective of when the NCT is due. The best pre NCT test is the NCT itself, send it through and let them tell what needs fixing, then get it sorted and retested. Of course there are simple things you can do prior the NCT like checking condition of tyres, check headlights, etc.

CiniO

highgiant1985 wrote: »

Hi Folks,

My question is how does a car service normally differ from a pre NCT? i.e. are they not covering the same function that the car is in good condition.

Everything else below is just back ground / detail I've tried to look in to myself on this.

I have to apologise up front as well as I just don't know much at all about cars and have only been driving 8 months. I'm driving a 2001 Toyota. The NCT for my car is up the end of May and I've a date booked for it to go to the NCT. Its also over due for a service at the moment. From looking in to it I see my local garage advertises that the following items are included in a Pre-NCT inspection:

Brakes
Exhaust emissions
Steering and suspension
Wheels and tyres
Chassis and under body
Lights, Glass and mirrors
Chassis and under body
Electrical systems
Interior
Fuel system

They don't have a break down for a general service so I'm wondering whats usually the difference. From searching other threads in this forum such as: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056552254 People seem to strongly suggest not bothering with a pre NCT but I figure if it needs a service any way would it not make sense?

List you showed will be checked during NCT.
There's no point in having a garage to check it before hand.

Servicing is different thing, and consists of regular maintenance items, like changing oil, filters, fluids, brake pads, timing belts, etc...

They have very little to do with each other.

NCT will check if car is safe and ecological.
Servicing should help car to run problemless for longer.


F.e. old oil and filters in most cases won't affect NCT result, but might shorten engine life.
Timing belt not changed in time, won't affect your NCT results, but might damage your engine.

Worn suspension elements, could be unsafe for driving, and will fail NCT, while they won't be fixed during regular servicing.