NCT next week - do i need to remove the covers on the wheel nuts?

Passport1

My Car - a 2014 VW Golf is in for NCT next week

Do i need to have the covers that are covering the wheel nuts taken off so that the wheel nuts are exposed or can I leave the covers on

THere is a metal hook in the car jack set for removing these covers

Not sure i need to have these covers removed before I bring car in for NCT and cant remember what I did last time

ednwireland

yes wheel nuts need to be exposed

biko

Reason
https://www.rsa.ie/Documents/NCT/New%202018/NCT%20Manual%202018.pdf

Make an inspection of each part of the road wheel, paying particular attention to whether there is:
(a) any fracture of flanges.
(b) any welding breaking away.
(c) any wheel badly distorted.
(d) any stud hole badly worn.
(e) any wheel stud missing.
(f) any wheel nut missing.
(g) any wheel nut loose.
(h) any wheel spokes missing or loose.
2. Check that the correct type of wheel and wheel nut is fitted.

coylemj

ednwireland wrote: »

yes wheel nuts need to be exposed

+1 I had a fail for that exact reason with a 2007 VW Golf. Because they were alloys, I had wrongly assumed I didn't need to do anything. NCT guy said he wouldn't print the fail report if I fixed the problem there and then. Which I did, he went out, looked at the nuts, went back in and promptly printed the pass report and cert. Fair dues.

Audis have a similar hub cover.

weekaizer

coylemj wrote: »

+1 I had a fail for that exact reason with a 2007 VW Golf. Because they were alloys, I had wrongly assumed I didn't need to do anything. NCT guy said he wouldn't print the fail report if I fixed the problem there and then. Which I did, he went out, looked at the nuts, went back in and promptly printed the pass report and cert. Fair dues.

Audis have a similar hub cover.

My Audi passed NCT 2 months ago with a wheel nut cover on every wheel nut.

Whocare

It's a bit of a joke when they don't test the nuts are tight. As I just glue a nut on when it broke off 5 stud wheel one missing is not end of world nct should really check if there tight

coylemj

weekaizer wrote: »

My Audi passed NCT 2 months ago with a wheel nut cover on every wheel nut.

You were lucky but your experience means nothing. Anyone would have to assume they will fail if the nuts are not visible.

Stoolbend

Never had to remove them on any vw or Opel car I’ve checked for NCT.

keepalive213

I have forgotten to remove them before and the guys just did it themselves, it's like a lot of things in that it just depends who you get on the day.

hopeso

I’ve never removed them. Never had any problem.

vandriver

Some have no problem,some do.Personally,I was failed on it at Fonthill.For the sake of 10 minutes ,why risk it?

Passport1

Thanks all for the replies and the information
I will remove the covers from the wheel nuts to be on the save side
Thanks all again

Ubbquittious

I usually take off the wheel nuts themselves as well after I park it at the test centre. Just to go above and beyond of what's required and to keep the tester's job interesting

SCOOP 64

My car passed its NCT last week, until reading this didn't even think of removing the covers on the wheel nuts , never have for the 8 years i have owned it and it has never failed on it.