"Unroadworthy car" failed with NCT?

xxDSOFWxx

I done my driving test today,went in ready to go and answered all theory questions,reg number...etc,and stated that the cars engine light was on and that it has always been on,Has passed 2 NCTs with it on and his reponse was "well see when we go out".I ticked the box on the tablet as requested and we went outside.I showed him engine coolant brake fluid and so on and then showed the indicators.He was at the back looking at the indicators and said brakes so i showed him that the brake lights worked.He then got into car and said im not taking you out.The instructors have been told about this.Back in the office he stated that the vehicle was unroadworthy and it would be his responsibility(understandably).But I had two NCTs and the number of the mechanic to prove it was roadworthy.Am I wrong?

Ultimate Seduction

xxDSOFWxx wrote: »

I done my driving test today,went in ready to go and answered all theory questions,reg number...etc,and stated that the cars engine light was on and that it has always been on,Has passed 2 NCTs with it on and his reponse was "well see when we go out".I ticked the box on the tablet as requested and we went outside.I showed him engine coolant brake fluid and so on and then showed the indicators.He was at the back looking at the indicators and said brakes so i showed him that the brake lights worked.He then got into car and said im not taking you out.The instructors have been told about this.Back in the office he stated that the vehicle was unroadworthy and it would be his responsibility(understandably).But I had two NCTs and the number of the mechanic to prove it was roadworthy.Am I wrong?

You shouldn't have mentioned it.

xxDSOFWxx

Ultimate Seduction wrote: »

You shouldn't have mentioned it.

If i didnt and he saw it i would have failed instantly.

StopWatch

I'm afraid you are in the wrong .
In the "final checks" pamphlet from rsa it specifically notes warning lights
PDF available here
http://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Learner-Drivers/The-Driving-Test/Your-Car/

xxDSOFWxx

StopWatch wrote: »

I'm afraid you are in the wrong .
In the "final checks" pamphlet from rsa it specifically notes warning lights
PDF available here
http://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Learner-Drivers/The-Driving-Test/Your-Car/

I understand that screenshot and have read everything but it was to my understanding that the NCT was to determine vehicle roadworthiness.

K.Flyer

If it was my car i would be more concerned as to why the engine warning light is on and why it has not been correctly rectified.
Get the engine warning issue sorted, reapply and all will be good.

xxDSOFWxx

I had it looked at only a months ago before NCT.Its not worth fixing.Thanks.

StopWatch

As an example-
You do your nct
You pass
You get a flat on way to test
Pointing at your nct isn't going to make the tester ignore the flat tire.

The tester has the say on this.
The warning light indicated an issue too him, so he decided not to proceed.
It sucks, but it is reasonable.

RobFowl

xxDSOFWxx wrote: »

I had it looked at only a months ago before NCT.Its not worth fixing.Thanks.

Given you be just had a test refused as a result I think it was...

K.Flyer

xxDSOFWxx wrote: »

I had it looked at only a months ago before NCT.Its not worth fixing.Thanks.

But the tester doesn't know that, they take things on face value at the time of test. As far as they are concerned the engine is showing a defect and act accordingly.

mickdw

You need to get the car fixed.
Just cause it passes the very minimal standard of the nct doesn't mean its running right. It could be costing you more on fuel or doing further damage running it as is when the repair could be a simple sensor.
It is a bit silly that they can't carry out the test but I guess from their side, they have to have rules or else where do you stop.
Would one brake light bulb blown be okay etc.

xxDSOFWxx

Thanks to everyone but I had the NCT with me and the light was clearly noted on it.And anyway why didnt he refuse to take me out when i first mentioned it in the office ,why did he check indicators under the bonnet and brakelights?

bee06

For all the instructor knew the light only came on after the NCT. The NCT isn’t a comprehensive test of roadworthiness either.

xxDSOFWxx

bee06 wrote: »

For all the instructor knew the light only came on after the NCT. The NCT isn’t a comprehensive test of roadworthiness either.

As i said it is noted on the NCT and it still doesnt explain why he examined the brakelights indicators and under the bonnet.

bee06

xxDSOFWxx wrote: »

Thanks to everyone but I had the NCT with me and the light was clearly noted on it.And anyway why didnt he refuse to take me out when i first mentioned it in the office ,why did he check indicators under the bonnet and brakelights?

So that if there was anything else wrong he could make you aware rather than you fixing the engine light and coming back with something else to prevent you doing the test.

xxDSOFWxx

Why didnt he state that he wouldnt take me out as soon as i mentioned it so

bee06

xxDSOFWxx wrote: »

Why didnt he state that he wouldnt take me out as soon as i mentioned it so

That’s something you should have asked him really.

xxDSOFWxx

True , i was a little frustrated at the time he asked me to leave and i left it at that.Just another lesson in the books i suppose.Thanks for all the help.

Dravokivich

I don't know what you're expecting. I've seen people drive into test centre's with their cars in limp mode and fail.

You can't be going in there with anything wrong on your car. If it ain't worth fixing, why are you still driving it?

Wishbone Ash

xxDSOFWxx wrote: »

.... but it was to my understanding that the NCT was to determine vehicle roadworthiness.

Long before the NCT was introduced, a tester would have abandoned the test.

Gonad

Jaysus the pc brigade are out . The tester was told of the issue and if he/she was any sort of decent person they would have ignored the light and realized that it was not a huge issue and let the OP do the test . THey know how long waiting lists are a sit seems petty to me.

What’s the worst hat can happen ? The car can cut out ..

Autochange

Gonad wrote: »

Jaysus the pc brigade are out . The tester was told of the issue and if he/she was any sort of decent person they would have ignored the light and realized that it was not a huge issue and let the OP do the test . THey know how long waiting lists are a sit seems petty to me.

What’s the worst hat can happen ? The car can cut out ..

Cut out and roll out in front of a truck killing both of them

Sam Quentin

I'd be really interested to know what fault is throwing up the engine light!?
Can you tell us and let us decide if it would have been grounds to suspend your driving test, as in safety, air bags, engine cutout etc etc.

Dravokivich

Gonad wrote: »

Jaysus the pc brigade are out . The tester was told of the issue and if he/she was any sort of decent person they would have ignored the light and realized that it was not a huge issue and let the OP do the test . THey know how long waiting lists are a sit seems petty to me.

What’s the worst hat can happen ? The car can cut out ..

The op knows how much it'll cost to fix the issue, yet it's gone ignored for at least 2 years. They've no one to blame for the test being cancelled but themselves. They can either put it right, get another car, or just stay in the back of the queue.

endacl

xxDSOFWxx wrote: »

I understand that screenshot and have read everything but it was to my understanding that the NCT was to determine vehicle roadworthiness.

...at the time of the test. I've just scrapped a car that was due its NCT next week. Since this time last year it would have needed suspension bushings, brakes, and a new clutch. I had a valid NCT cert, but the car was in a jocker.

'twas the kindest thing, really. Put it out of it's misery...

endacl

xxDSOFWxx wrote: »

I had it looked at only a months ago before NCT.Its not worth fixing.Thanks.

It is if you want to do your test in it.

pablo128

My brother borrowed my sisters car for his test, and failed because one of the tail lights were out.

Sh1t happens.

dennyk

Trouble is that a "check engine" light can indicate any number of issues, from a harmless sensor malfunction to multiple serious problems that could potentially affect the safe operation of the vehicle. The tester has no way to know which is the case, so they may decide to err on the side of caution and refuse the test.

OP, get yourself one of these (just make sure it's compatible with your car first); you can use it to pull the trouble code (or codes) that are causing the check engine light to come on. Get the codes and do some Googling and you may be able to find a simple or inexpensive solution to correct the issue (e.g. cleaning a dirty MAF or MAP sensor). If nothing else, you can also use that device to clear the codes, which will cause the check engine light to turn off (though it will turn back on again eventually if you haven't actually fixed the root cause, so do it just before your test if you decide to go that route).

Rainislove

OP, depending on the model of your car, you can reset the check engine alert. If you are 100% sure that its not going to harm your car engine, go ahead with resetting.. As some one have suggested, it may come back after some time if still have the issue

Isambard

does the warning light go out if you disconnect and reconnect the battery?

MascotDec85

Yes, you’re wrong.
No tester will go out with an engine management light on regardless of whether it’s noted on the NCT sheet or not.

Get it fixed before you attempt to sit the test again or hire an instructor’s car.

biko

All you say it is not worth fixing but you don't say what the cause is.

Ask in DIY forum what can be done to fix the light - you will need to know what the error code is of course.

pleas advice

Have you tried turning it off and on again?

Rainislove

Isambard wrote: »

does the warning light go out if you disconnect and reconnect the battery?

Depends on your car. For many Toyota models, it will

Skatedude

Gonad wrote: »

Jaysus the pc brigade are out . The tester was told of the issue and if he/she was any sort of decent person they would have ignored the light and realized that it was not a huge issue and let the OP do the test . THey know how long waiting lists are a sit seems petty to me.

What’s the worst hat can happen ? The car can cut out ..

And you can then lose power steering and power assisted breaking and die?