Anyone have their NCT in the last few weeks

boro3000

Just wondering how everyone got on? Fail/ Pass / Type of car / Year and Mileage. Might help those with upcoming tests during the this busy Test period. Have mine in about a weeks time. 2001 Nissan Almera 118K . Just had the rear calipers replaced. Mine is in good condition but I'm still dreading the test with it's age. Passed the last two tests no problem .

Fresh Pots

Definite contender for most pointless thread of the year.

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy

Fresh Pots wrote: »

Definite contender for most pointless thread of the year.

And yours is the favourite for most pointless post!

boro3000

Jezz Sorry...

Just wondering

hidinginthebush

2007 mazda 3, 240k km, tested on Jan 3rd. Needed to replace a brake bulb. Went in today to get the visual retest, and the place was like a zoo, definitely busier now than early Jan.

Has to replace both rear brake late last year, so want too worried about failing. To be honest, I think you'll know yourself going in whether you'll pass or fail. Don't think how busy the centre is well dictate a pass or fail.

boro3000

Jezz Sorry...

Just wondering ....with the back-log and the new rules re-penalty point. It's a talking point at the moment.

boro3000

boro3000 wrote: »

Jezz Sorry...

Just wondering ....with the back-log and the new rules re-penalty point. It's a talking point at the moment.

Thanks...I'd imagine the place is nuts at the moment

Nino Brown

Just failed today, nothing major just a ball joint. The guy freaked me out though, he called me aside and said quietly "We have a problem", I though he was going to say "We did everything we could, but your car didn't make it". New ball joint is E100, retest next week, no biggie. The queues at the centre were crazy though, not looking forward to that again.

allthedoyles

Was in Waterford mid-December for re-test 12.20pm and NCT rang me at 11.45am to say that if I could make it earlier would get straight in.

Anyway arrived 12.15 and was tested immediately , and there were only 2 other people in waiting room.

Outside only about 3 cars in car park - could'nt understand what the fuss with queues is about

boro3000

Good going I booked mine on the 12th got a test date for the 3rd of Feb in Deansgrange Dublin. A lot of people are were saying they couldn't get test dates for at least two months.

Nino Brown

allthedoyles wrote: »

Was in Waterford mid-December for re-test 12.20pm and NCT rang me at 11.45am to say that if I could make it earlier would get straight in.

Anyway arrived 12.15 and was tested immediately , and there were only 2 other people in waiting room.

Outside only about 3 cars in car park - could'nt understand what the fuss with queues is about

When I got to the NCT centre the cars were parked along the main road the carpark was so full.

Nino Brown

boro3000 wrote: »

Good going I booked mine on the 12th got a test date for the 3rd of Feb in Deansgrange Dublin. A lot of people are were saying they couldn't get test dates for at least two months.

You book 2-3 months in advance, then log back in at 11:30pm and reschedule, the cancellations are updated then, you'll usually get one within 2 weeks, sometimes even much closer.

alias no.9

boro3000 wrote: »

Just wondering how everyone got on? Fail/ Pass / Type of car / Year and Mileage. Might help those with upcoming tests during the this busy Test period. Have mine in about a weeks time. 2001 Nissan Almera 118K . Just had the rear calipers replaced. Mine is in good condition but I'm still dreading the test with it's age. Passed the last two tests no problem .

I had my car tested in November and failed on.an exhaust mount. As has been my experience with faults identified by the NCT, it was pretty clear and obvious what needed fixing. Took about 15 minutes to sort it, brought it back in the next day for a visual recheck, no problems, all set to hit it's 15th birthday next January.

boro3000

alias no.9 wrote: »

I had my car tested in November and failed on.an exhaust mount. As has been my experience with faults identified by the NCT, it was pretty clear and obvious what needed fixing. Took about 15 minutes to sort it, brought it back in the next day for a visual recheck, no problems, all set to hit it's 15th birthday next January.

What's the make a model? Was she ok on everything else?

lotmc

2004 Mercedes ml270 diesel with 120k miles. Probably gets away with higher emission levels due to age.
Test scheduled for 11am last Saturday. Realised at 10am that a rear registration plate light was blown - tried 5 fuel stations on the way to not deansgrange but none of them had the right bulb. So I went along and joined q at 10.50. Waited 35 minutes in the q.
As it happened he never noticed / mentioned the bulb, but he did say that the brake fluid was below minimum level - this qualifies for a free re-inspection. So I went straight to halfords and got brake fluid (and the bulb whilst I was at it).
Not sure why he said it was below minimum as the cover is old and dirty and when I did pour some in it was full after a small bit. But anyway not a big deal and I went straight back, nabbed some other inspector as he was returning a car - he looked at it and went in and got me the cert.
So good to go for another year.

porsche959

Troubling how easily the populace are bullied by statist threats, why don't they just ban the private automobile and have done with it. Of course they won't do that as we are a cash cow.

boro3000

lotmc wrote: »

2004 Mercedes ml270 diesel with 120k miles. Probably gets away with higher emission levels due to age.
Test scheduled for 11am last Saturday. Realised at 10am that a rear registration plate light was blown - tried 5 fuel stations on the way to not deansgrange but none of them had the right bulb. So I went along and joined q at 10.50. Waited 35 minutes in the q.
As it happened he never noticed / mentioned the bulb, but he did say that the brake fluid was below minimum level - this qualifies for a free re-inspection. So I went straight to halfords and got brake fluid (and the bulb whilst I was at it).
Not sure why he said it was below minimum as the cover is old and dirty and when I did pour some in it was full after a small bit. But anyway not a big deal and I went straight back, nabbed some other inspector as he was returning a car - he looked at it and went in and got me the cert.
So good to go for another year.

Have you kept in in good order? Have you had much work on it since you've owned it?

curiosity

Rang on December 5th, current cert was up on January 13th. Nothing available, was put onto a waiting list (the girl I spoke to sounded a bit stressed, can't be an easy job, given the logjam of care dues for tests). Got a text on December 12th, Little Island, January 9th, 6:15pm

Was there from 6:05pm to 6:55pm. It was busy, a few cars had to begin queueing on the road. Must have been a lot of staff vehicles, because my test was done 35 minutes after I checked in.

My car (2003 Focus) passed first time, a nice suprise. One lady before me who failed was told by the tester that one tyre was down to the wire!

I plan to book my next test a lot earlier.

dudara

Had the test on Monday in Northpoint 1. The place was busy, and a little behind schedule but nothing major. Booked the test early in Dec and soonest date I could get was Jan 19th.

My car is a 2000 BMW 318 with approx 150k miles on the click. It passed no problems, for the second year in a row.

boro3000

My NCT actually expired in June 13. But I haven't really used the car that much in the last year much. Only locally and it's been taxed and insured in that period. I've been stopped at checkpoints and whatnot in that time. But the Gardai simply told me to get it sorted and let me on my way. So if it passed it will be due again this June. So i'll book it in for another Test in March under the 90 day thing and have it valid till June 2016

alias no.9

boro3000 wrote: »

What's the make a model? Was she ok on everything else?

Volvo S60, all good on everything else. I replaced two tyres about 6 weeks previous as the weather was getting wetter, they were still legal but I'm happier to have them changed. Then there was the tail light bulb that typically failed the morning of the test, there's two tail light bulbs each side so it'd probably still have passed but the warning message was up on the dash and the bulb cost less than a can of coke.

It passed first time last year.

Big Wex fan

Sent my car in yesterday expecting the handbrake to fail so didn't do anything in advance except remove my front fog lights because one was broken. Can't fail for broken lens if there's no light there in the 1st place. Only failed on reverse light & Rear fog lights not working - visual inspection so happy days!!

Rang up 3 days before due date & put on priority list - got appointment within 4 weeks. Not bad considering it's at least 8 weeks when going to book on line.

The Bishop Basher

04 X5 failed on a bunch of suspension parts. I knew it needed a few quid thrown at it so was happy enough to put it all right, retest and pass.

Put a 99 Micra through and it sailed it although it had a few things done the year before.

No major queues but busy enough. I've never had an issue with them in any of the centres I've used.

lotmc

boro3000 wrote: »

Have you kept in in good order? Have you had much work on it since you've owned it?

Have had it for 8 years and generally very reliable. Wouldn't be the best looked after but does have annual service. Some problems

Inlet manifold and swirl motor replaced last year (parts bought on eBay and fitted by indie mechanic to keep cost at about €750 compared to merc €1,800)
Catalytic converter packed up a few years ago €700
Some suspension parts replaced (shocks / struts / joints) after a rattle started a few years ago €600
Job on torque converter / gearbox about 5 years ago €1,000
Other stuff I've forgotten about but not major

boro3000

lotmc wrote: »

Have had it for 8 years and generally very reliable. Wouldn't be the best looked after but does have annual service. Some problems

Inlet manifold and swirl motor replaced last year (parts bought on eBay and fitted by indie mechanic to keep cost at about €750 compared to merc €1,800)
Catalytic converter packed up a few years ago €700
Some suspension parts replaced (shocks / struts / joints) after a rattle started a few years ago €600
Job on torque converter / gearbox about 5 years ago €1,000
Other stuff I've forgotten about but not major

Good going. I'd say the Independent mechanics are doing well these days. As I was saying in my first post. I just had my calipers replaced got all the pads and rear discs done also. Got a quote from the local Nissan Dealer for €750 for parts and labour. Local mechanic and parts from the Motor Factors total €462. Really delighted with that saving.

corktina

Nino Brown wrote: »

You book 2-3 months in advance, then log back in at 11:30pm and reschedule, the cancellations are updated then, you'll usually get one within 2 weeks, sometimes even much closer.

why would you do that? You can just log in at 11.30 and book.

alias no.9

corktina wrote: »

why would you do that? You can just log in at 11.30 and book.

Indeed, never accept a long lead time appointment unless you're booking in September for a test in November on a car that's not due 'till January.

If you're going to be overdue before the test date offered or more to the point there's a risk you may be over due a retest by the time you get one so ideally you want the original booking at least 28 days early, don't accept the booking.

If you accept a long lead time booking, you cannot then demand the booking within 28 days or free test.

rolexeagle1

2002 golf gti, 100K, passed no issues

DublinBeaker

Got my 2001 Peugeot 306 tested last week. Passed first time. Handbrake balance thing was 49% and anything over 50 was fail.

It was a pass advisory due to back tyres being over 6 years old. Think they are about 8 years old.

Guy said they were perfect with no cracking and above thread depth. Car only did 3k miles last year.

Suppose I should replace them in case.

renofan

Had mine last Sat in Naas. Couldn't have gone quicker. Was there 10 mins before my scheduled time, walked in and straight to the desk and the tester had my car in to be tested in less than a minute. Failed on a ball joint which I hope to do tomorrow. It's a '00 Audi A4 1.8. Emissions were feck all so happy out overall.

vandriver

Citroen C4 1.6 hdi failed on a broken dipstick.(So they can't verify the oil level for the emissions test)
€11 and back on Tuesday for retest.

blastman

I put both cars through the NCT in December (one was about six months late as I knew it needed a couple of small things fixed before it would pass). Both passed first time, including my 23 year old Honda.

Aircraft Freak

Honda HRV in December, passed with no issues, just new tyres and a service.

mjsc1970

DublinBeaker wrote: »

Got my 2001 Peugeot 306 tested last week. Passed first time. Handbrake balance thing was 49% and anything over 50 was fail.

It was a pass advisory due to back tyres being over 6 years old. Think they are about 8 years old.

Guy said they were perfect with no cracking and above thread depth. Car only did 3k miles last year.

Suppose I should replace them in case.

I've an 04 206 and test due in 2 weeks. I think the handbrake may well be the issue on mine too. It needs 4 clicks up to hold so id be surprised if it meets even 49%.

Big Wex fan

Can i change subject slightly.
Scenario - UK import at 5 yrs so car did NCT on 5,7 and now 9 yrs. Should car get 2 year or 1 year NCT on 9th anniversary test?

Here's what NCT FAQ states.
"All cars four years and older must undergo an NCT. The NCT due date is calculated by reference to the date of first registration of the car with tests due every two years for cars younger than 10 years.

Annual testing is now a legal requirement for vehicles that present for their 10th anniversary test and each subsequent test. You can test your vehicle up to 90 days in advance of the anniversary of your registration date. Please note that testing your vehicle within the 90 day period will not alter the date on which your vehicle falls due for the NCT each year nor will it extend the NCT certificate expiry date."

My opinion is 9th anniversity test should be a 2 year Cert, bearing in mind NCT were offering 2 year NCTs last Autumn if done 4 months ahead of 10th anniversary test. I assume this was to help ease the bottleneck they have at the moment.

_Kaiser_

05 A6 passed end of December with no issues. Did have to get a rear light cluster replaced beforehand though to cure a shorting fog light that was throwing up errors on the dash

Aircraft Freak

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

05 A6 passed end of December with no issues. Did have to get a rear light cluster replaced beforehand though to cure a shorting fog light that was throwing up errors on the dash

WOW an Audi that actually works!!!! Just playing I had a terrible experience with German cars.:pac:

cnoc

alias no.9 wrote: »

I had my car tested in November and failed on.an exhaust mount. As has been my experience with faults identified by the NCT, it was pretty clear and obvious what needed fixing. Took about 15 minutes to sort it, brought it back in the next day for a visual recheck, no problems, all set to hit it's 15th birthday next January.

Did you re-book the 2nd test or just went in for the visual?

lazeedaisy

00 golf, 179k miles

Passed as usual, always get it serviced 10 k

dhog4n

Passed the test on Friday.

96 Polo 1.4. Stood since June last year. Did a few minor jobs to get it running ok. I've never seen anything go through the test so fast - it can't have been more than 10 minutes from handing over the keys to getting the cert.

Booking was relatively painless too. I rang on monday two weeks ago and got the usual "we'll put you on the priority list and text you with an appointment within 10 days". I rang back on the following Friday at lunchtime and was immediately offered two options and I chose the one that suited me better. Two weeks from booking to test is pretty good really by NCT standards at the best of times.

nlgbbbblth

Failed mine today for the first time. 16 year old Corolla with 84,000 miles on the clock.

Brake test: Rear axle and parking brake imbalances.
Also need to replace two worn brake lines.

off to a garage on Monday. I want to get the re-test done as soon as possible.
Anyone know if it's a job that they could do in a day?

vandriver

vandriver wrote: »

Citroen C4 1.6 hdi failed on a broken dipstick.(So they can't verify the oil level for the emissions test)
€11 and back on Tuesday for retest.

And passed!

CiniO

Big Wex fan wrote: »

Can i change subject slightly.
Scenario - UK import at 5 yrs so car did NCT on 5,7 and now 9 yrs. Should car get 2 year or 1 year NCT on 9th anniversary test?

Two years, as your car is less than 10 years old at NCT due date.

If NCT centre tell you different, disagree, and talk to headqurters or something, as you are definitely entitled to 2 years NCT in your case.

naughtysmurf

Have our two cars booked in, one on April 11th & other one on April 12th, my nerves will be in shreds that weekend

galwaytt

CiniO wrote: »

Two years, as your car is less than 10 years old at NCT due date.

If NCT centre tell you different, disagree, and talk to headqurters or something, as you are definitely entitled to 2 years NCT in your case.

I dunno, they only have me a 1 year Cert on Friday for my 05 Saab.

Fwiw, passed without a service even (didn't have time).

CiniO

galwaytt wrote: »

I dunno, they only have me a 1 year Cert on Friday for my 05 Saab.

Fwiw, passed without a service even (didn't have time).

Because you presented your car for it's 10th anniversary or first registration NCT. That's why you got 1 year.
I was replying to someone who is to present his car NCT, where due date comes when car is 9 years old.

phildin

Just passed with 99 Honda Civic, 156k miles. Apparently the indicator bulbs are the wrong colour but that was a free visual retest. It passed last year without comment. The previous year it failed on front wheel alignment. I got the mechanic to mis-align them and brought it back to pass then corrected them again. No comment on alignment on the subsequent tests. Gotta love NCT:)

ION08

02 Audi A4 TDI with 139k miles and the OH's 04 Micra with 52k both passed this no month. No hassle.

Also both tests were booked back in OCT/NOV so no bitching and moaning about test availability from me * smug face *