NCT damage to car

gypsy79 · 24-05-2022 12:51pm #1

HAs anyone ever done a NCT and got their car back in a worse condition?

I drove my car to the NCT and got it back with only one fail....its a big one

Power steering that worked perfectly fine when I dropped it off is now gone on the car! They say the light came on as soon as they switched on the car

What is the probability

Allinall · 24-05-2022 12:53pm

How do you think they could have damaged it?

manonboard · 24-05-2022 12:59pm

The only thing i could think of is that one of the tests actually broke it.. but in the same vein, thats kinda what its aimed to do. To find faults with parts above a certain threshold. While it is frustrating, it could have saved you a massive problem should it have happened while driving unexpectedly.

I dont think you will have any comeback because from the NCT point of view, all faults are already on cars when they arrive. All they have is your word which is useless to them as it would mean anyone could say it.

magicbastarder · 24-05-2022 1:01pm

the probability that faults genuinely display for the first time as cars arrive at the NCT centre is probably 100% (as in the chances of the staff dealing with it from time to time); happening to *you*, though, just bad luck.

Irish_wolf · 24-05-2022 1:09pm

As @manonboard has said it's likely the power steering was faulty (or on the way to being faulty) previous to the test so unless you have evidence that the power steering was functioning correctly (like you recently had it serviced or replaced) you are unlikely to get anywhere. You could try ringing their integrity line or sending them an email as the NCT detail on their customer charter.

"We aim to provide the very highest standards of test integrity. If however, you have any concerns related to the integrity of our test standards, we would encourage you to contact us through our confidential integrity line on (01) 6309319 or email us at integrity@ncts.ie Please be assured that any information received will be treated in the strictest confidence."

If it's a common complaint from that test centre you may get somewhere and it could be that their equipment wasn't calibrated correctly that day or any number of things. Wouldn't hold my breath though.

gypsy79 · 24-05-2022 1:50pm

I am not saying they deliberately broke it or anything like that

More a statement on the bad luck of it. He says the light was on when he turned on the car.....its like a 1 in 10,00 chance that this happens the only time someone else starts the car

Getting it through NCT was to get rid of it. Selling it now will be nightmare. New car just arrived in country

kdevitt · 24-05-2022 2:15pm

I decided to test my cars horn while I parked up at the NCT centre a few years back. It worked, although sounded a bit limp. Tester comes out later and the car had failed on the horn not working at all. It had literally given up the ghost within a minute of its NCT. It happens, just a bit unfortunate.

ba_barabus · 24-05-2022 2:17pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119107511#Comment_119107511

Is it just the light on or did he actually say X was wrong? Could just need a computer reset and test......

Calahonda52 · 24-05-2022 2:21pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119107511#Comment_119107511

A good libel lawyer would see this differently NCT damage to car

Quin_Dub · 24-05-2022 2:21pm

Side question on this.

I know that you'd have little comeback if the engine/gearbox blew while they were testing it etc. but what happens if they damaged it in another way?

Anything from scraping the car with the equipment , banging a door off the ramp etc. to crashing it while they drive it from the carpark into the test centre and back.

Surely you'd have cover there?

magicbastarder · 24-05-2022 2:44pm

my brother in law reckoned his gearbox was damaged at the NCT centre, and saw it happening - 911 carrera 4, IIRC the mechanic put it up on the rolling road on its rear wheels only, probably assuming it was rear wheel drive.

before he had a chance to do anything about it, he was sitting at lights and someone overcooked the corner and wrote the car off...

24-05-2022 2:45pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119107703#Comment_119107703

WTF has libel got to do with any of the preceding posts?

cml387 · 24-05-2022 2:50pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119107705#Comment_119107705

I would have though that would come under the principle that they have a duty of care to your car while in their possession, and they would be liable if there was carelessness on their part.

gypsy79 · 24-05-2022 2:53pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119107677#Comment_119107677

Its like turning a tank. From their point of view I just need show them the car with light off BUT that doesnt turn back on my power steering

ba_barabus · 24-05-2022 2:57pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119107861#Comment_119107861

Is it squeeling or are you getting a vibration back through the wheel?

What car is it?

Generally speaking, most of what I've seen is either a leak or air entering the system. In that case the steering will still somewhat work. Otherwise it might be a sensor throwing a fit if it's an electric steering system which might just the fault codes to be read. This might not be a big deal yet. Get the codes read and go from there.

Quin_Dub · 24-05-2022 3:02pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119107811#Comment_119107811

Christ! - Must remember that when mine is finally due - It's a 4WD BMW , but there are no badges on it saying that and most would likely assume that it's RWD like most BMW's

mikeecho · 24-05-2022 3:34pm

Consult a solicitor, take a civil action.

Update us on the outcome.

End

JoyPad · 24-05-2022 6:48pm

My car had a slightly damaged driver door: I could roll the window up and down, and I could open the door, but not both at the same time. When I dropped the car for the NCT, I put a sticker on the window: DO NOT OPEN THIS WINDOW.

When I picked it up, the test was failed: "Broken window". The mechanic rolled the window down and then forced the door open, which led to a broken window. They didn't accept any responsibility. I paid for the window replacement, but not for re-test, as it was visual only.

CPTM · 24-05-2022 7:01pm

But even if it was fine beforehand and they broke it during the test, and you could prove that, there's no fault of theirs is there? They don't do anything the road doesn't do. If your car was weak enough to break during the test, then it should fail right? You can't have a car that is road worthy simply because the driver drives it delicately and knows it's weaknesses. If it can't survive the nct test, it's a valid fail imo.

Ubbquittious · 24-05-2022 9:47pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119107811#Comment_119107811

Fook it that is a right sickner altogether

mk7r · 25-05-2022 2:34am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119108847#Comment_119108847

They have to open the window, its part of the test

magicbastarder · 25-05-2022 7:05am

yep, sounds to me that the note on the window could have been more descriptive!

my old car passed the NCT even when you couldn't open the boot using the switch on the boot lid; the microswitch had failed. you could open it using the key fob, and the fact that it passed was a little surprising.

hoodie6029 · 25-05-2022 9:30am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119107811#Comment_119107811

Did a flying saucer or Santa Claus pass by moments after the accident too?

antodeco · 25-05-2022 10:54am

In fairness, I brought in a 1980 mini before and they broke the ignition stalks. They pushed it waaaaay too far and its been very loose every since. iE, sometimes the stalk moves by me pressing it to indicate. Never was an issue before the test.

User1998 · 25-05-2022 6:28pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119108847#Comment_119108847

How were they to know that the window and door can’t be opened simultaneously? You can’t just tell them not to test a certain part of your vehicle. The driver side window is part of the test so it must be tested. That’s like leaving a sticker on the dash saying “Don’t test emissions”

barneygumble99 · 26-05-2022 7:27am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119108847#Comment_119108847

Toyota Corolla?

zg3409 · 26-05-2022 11:12am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119110364#Comment_119110364

Nissan Micra? I love all this inspector cluseau stuff.

magicbastarder · 26-05-2022 11:15am

octavia, they've a known issue with the rear wiper motor, and apparently on that car the hose bringing water to it had split and leaked down onto the boot switch.