Bringing Car to garage before NCT…

irishguy1983

Should you do this? Is this normal practice?

I don’t know ANYTHING about cars. I don’t know how to change oil or anything like that.

Absolutely clueless and looking for advice :)

Miscreant

You should service your car on a regular basis, usually yearly. If it needs repairs, then bring it to a mechanic. Unless either of these things need doing before the NCT, there should be no need to bring your car anywhere before the test.

johnayo

Check all lights are working, check wipers and washers, horn etc are working, check tyres are not worn. Then get NCT done. If there are issues get these repaired. As already said, if car is due service that should be done.

irishguy1983

Appreciate the feedback…

How much should a service cost me?! Roughly speaking?

My father used to do these kind of things so trying to figure out myself now :)

I really haven’t a clue as you can see :)

hoodie6029

What kind of car is it? Make and model and year. The prices for an engine service are usually based on engine size.

A lot of tyre places will give you a free tyre safety check if you’re not confident judging them.

Google reviews are a good way to find a mechanic local to you. The good places always have a few glowing reviews.

Let us know your rough location. A lot of knowledgeable posters here so someone will know a reputable garage in the area.

BronsonTB

Bring it to NCT, get list of issues (if applicable), bring it to garage (get it fixed / serviced) , retest

Ensure basics are ok before the test (Lights, tyres etc)

irishguy1983

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120146035#Comment_120146035

Sound....

Based on south side of Cork City.,....

Peugot, 2016, 308.....Like am I talking 100 or more like 300?! Roughly speaking?!

Cheers

hoodie6029

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120147106#Comment_120147106

Maybe somewhere like bestdrive.ie. You can put your reg in there for a quote. Frustratingly in the €100-€300 range.

These places will try to upswell you tyres that you might not need so be prepared before you go in. Check your thread depth before you go in. RSA has a handy series of videos on small checks that you can make.

https://youtu.be/Fl_7q9Rnx3I

User1998

Bring the car for an NCT, get a list of things that need doing. Bring that list to a mechanic and get a quote. Also ask for a basic oil & filter change if your car is due one. (Around €100 extra)

If you bring the car to a mechanic before an NCT, they will most likely tell you that several items need replacing in order to pass the NCT, when in reality they probably would have passed.

PsychoPete

Letting the nct tell you whats wrong with your car isn't a good idea, there is plenty of cases where cars should have failed on something but the tester didn't spot it. Bring it to a reputable mechanic and let them give it a service if its due and a check over

Tantalum73

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120148317#Comment_120148317

And likewise , plenty of cases (if not more ) of when mechanics/garages missed stuff the NCT noticed

The best option is like posted above , check the basic lights , tyres , brake condition yourself and rectify if needed before the NCT . Get the car tested , if any issues get them fixed by your mechanic/garage and maybe get them to do a full check over of the car at the same time with advice on anything that needs to be rectified by service or maintenance

creedp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120147565#Comment_120147565

It's amazing how every time you go to a garage the car needs its brakes done. In recent years other than checking lights, tyres and window washer bottle myself, its NCT first and garage after

irishguy1983

They are going to spot me a mile off :)

hoodie6029

Do you have the number of the mechanic your Dad used? Give them a call and they’ll remember the work they did on it and what needed to be done.

You can at least have that knowledge going in to a garage so if they try to get you do they brakes and you know that they were done recently, you can tell them to p1ss off!

zg3409

Give the car once over yourself.

Bring it to NCT

Even if it passes bring it to back street non main dealer for a service. Ask about cost when booking in.

If it needs additional work ask how much and if you think you are being scammed bring it to another garage and get another quote.

irishguy1983

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120151256#Comment_120151256

Good call :)