Pre-NCT test recommended?

The_Fitz

Bringing my car down from the North soon. It's a 2003 plate banger but the price down here is astronomical so needs must for a while. I need to bring it to the NCT centre to get southern plates and sort out VRT.

It passes the MOT every year but I've no doubt that the NCT will be stricter. For example I've had a plastic sheet covering a smashed back light for 8 years. Passes no issues.

Thinking of putting it through a Pre-NCT test with a garage. Are these any use?

Anyone able to recommend one around Dublin 8?

cruizer101

Personally don't see the value in them just wait til you get NCT results and fix what is needed otherwise you might end up spending money on stuff you don't need.

That said if there is stuff you know for definite such as the light you probably should get it fixed.

Dial Hard

My view would always be to just NCT it and let them tell you exactly what it needs to pass. The cost of the test and retest is still often cheaper than a pre-NCT, which gives you absolutely no guarantee of passing.

artanevilla

You are better off just putting it through the NCT and seeing what if anything needs to be done.

Isambard

off topic but I'd have thought you'd have been better off to sell it where it is than pay €720 vRT minimum. I guess better the devil you know?

I wouldn't bother with a pre-test either.

punisher5112

LIGHTNING wrote: »

Cant you swap a valid MOT for a NCT? I seem to recall somebody here did that recently.

Yes you can

punisher5112

The_Fitz wrote: »

Bringing my car down from the North soon. It's a 2003 plate banger but the price down here is astronomical so needs must for a while. I need to bring it to the NCT centre to get southern plates and sort out VRT.

It passes the MOT every year but I've no doubt that the NCT will be stricter. For example I've had a plastic sheet covering a smashed back light for 8 years. Passes no issues.

Thinking of putting it through a Pre-NCT test with a garage. Are these any use?

Anyone able to recommend one around Dublin 8?

Are you living in the north?

If yes then you won't pay vrt. Once you are moving to the south and you meet the terms such as time living up there etc.

The_Fitz

Isambard wrote: »

off topic but I'd have thought you'd have been better off to sell it where it is than pay €720 vRT minimum. I guess better the devil you know?

I wouldn't bother with a pre-test either.

As far as I can work out - I am exempt from VRT. Only moved in April. Have had the car for 10 years +

biko

https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/irish-drivers-can-now-import-12591557

“From May 20th 2018, if you import a second-hand vehicle from another EU member state which was tested after that date and the vehicle has a current EU Roadworthiness Certificate, you can have the unexpired portion of the certificate recognised by exchanging your out-of-state roadworthiness certificate for an Irish issued EU recognition certificate,” Applus said in a statement on its website.

The_Fitz

punisher5112 wrote: »

Are you living in the north?

If yes then you won't pay vrt. Once you are moving to the south and you meet the terms such as time living up there etc.

Moved in April to the South. Think I have 12 months to bring the wagon down?

The_Fitz

Cheers folks, yous are absolutely correct. No point wasting time with a Pre-NCT test.

punisher5112

The_Fitz wrote: »

Moved in April to the South. Think I have 12 months to bring the wagon down?

Then you won't pay any vrt but costs of registration change.

punisher5112

Pity it isn't a much newer motor as the savings would be mahoosive

The_Fitz

punisher5112 wrote: »

Pity it isn't a much newer motor as the savings would be mahoosive

Yep - definitely a pity. If I had of been thinking then I would have bought before I moved to Dublin, but there ye go.

Isambard

The_Fitz wrote: »

As far as I can work out - I am exempt from VRT. Only moved in April. Have had the car for 10 years +

Brilliant, you may have to wait a few months or weeks.

Irish Steve

Might be worth getting a new MOT just before you import it, to get the longest possible NCT certificate.

Del2005

Irish Steve wrote: »

Might be worth getting a new MOT just before you import it, to get the longest possible NCT certificate.

It'll only save the OP having to replace the light for a year, it won't be any cheaper next year if it needs to be replaced.

Stoolbend

Plastic covering the tail lamp is acceptable here too once the light emitted is the correct colour.

Cee-Jay-Cee

The_Fitz wrote: »

Thinking of putting it through a Pre-NCT test with a garage. Are these any use?

Completely pointless. For the sake of €55 just NCT it and they’ll tell you exactly what it needs (if it fails)

Besides I don’t believe any of these places claiming to do pre-NCT checks have all the equipment that the NCT use so how would they test the emissions, suspension travel/imbalance and braking effort etc etc It’s just a visual for anything glaringly wrong but they don’t actually test anything, it’s a con, don’t waste your money.

Old diesel

Del2005 wrote: »

It'll only save the OP having to replace the light for a year, it won't be any cheaper next year if it needs to be replaced.

But if you are stuck in the short term for a car - 12 months is a decent period to gain .

The light might even be able to be got from a scrap car in a scrapyard easily enough if the car is even a small bit common .

12 months gives a window of opportunity to save up for worst case scenario too.

Edit - some folk have been known to buy a car to do them for 3 to 4 months when stuck. Never mind gaining a whole 12 months for a car already owned.

You'd need to move fast though - the ability to convert a valid UK MOT to an NCT is only going to last until UK leaves the EU (Oct 31st).