Had my car Nct today but only got a ticket for four months due to the back log of testing

Paulkarin

My car was due a nct test last February but it only got tested on the 28th of September 2023 due to the back log at testing centers, they only gave me a 4 month ticket not 12 months surely this is wrong

wench

It's 12 months from when it was due. Otherwise people would game it by pushing out their appointments.

Paulkarin

My test was due last February but I couldnt get a test till September is this my fault

wench

No, it's not your fault.

But look at it this way, if the system was working correctly and you had got the test last Feb, it would still be due next Feb again, so you're no worse off.

mickdw

I've never ever yet have had to run my car without a test so yes for the most part it is your fault.

You can book 90 days ahead, you can keep an eye out for nearer dates on the website, you can phone them up for cancellations etc.

So yes running 6 or 8 months without a test is entirely your own fault.

callaway92

Definitely your fault. You could've requested priority numerous times.

Calahonda52

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121290909#Comment_121290909

exactly, I got one next day using that system

mondeoman72

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121290921#Comment_121290921

Yep. You request a cancellation and you get one. The OP unfortunately is wrong.

endacl

Good to hear they finally have their paperwork sorted! Another month and they can book the next one on time..,

FishOnABike

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121291050#Comment_121291050

Except the waiting list is probably more than six months.

893bet

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121291778#Comment_121291778

People don’t understand the system. When you try and book they might give you the earliest date as 2-4months out. If you accept it’s on you. Refuse and you go on a list and will be guaranteed a test within 4 weeks.

FishOnABike

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121292049#Comment_121292049

The booking system is not fit for purpose, unless the purpose is to ensure Applus+ don't have to provide any free tests.

The available appointments that customers see online only represent approximately 1/3 of the actual appointments available for that time. NCTS only open the full capacity or the remaining 2/3 of appointments two weeks ahead when they finalise their schedules and know what staff are available that week.

If I check online now there is one test available tomorrow in my nearest centre and none other offered until early May next year, over a month after my NCT us due. There is none available within the 90 day window before it's due date near the end of March next year.

I can wait until a 90 days before my NCT due date and then ask to be put on their priority list and maybe be offered a date and time which might or might not be practical for me, and if it isn't then tough luck and I'm in an even worse situation. Still no appointment and nearer to the deadline.

Or I can keep checking early in the morning and late at night when cancellations seem to be processed and frantically refresh my browser in the hope of snatching a suitable appointment before another customer or Applus+ themselves do!

The only reason Applus+ can operate as they do is because they have a monopoly and the NCT is mandatory.

Would it be so radical to implement a booking system that is designed for the customers rather than for Applus+?

If an appointment time is available, make it available online for customers to book. Why hide two thirds of your capacity from customers?

It shouldn't be difficult to plan capacity in advance. All the data should be there, the first registration date of every Irish registered car, the retest rate, the number and timing of early voluntary tests and 'normal' tests should all be identifiable.

Since a valid NCT is a legal requirement, there is no reasonable excuse for the NCT provider not implementing a test and booking system that, at a minimum, matches the required test capacity and customer demand.

The current system falls far short of what should be considered a minimum acceptable standard.

Shield

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058319880/had-my-car-nct-today-but-only-got-a-ticket-for-four-months-due-to-the-back-log-of-testing

Mod: Moved to Motors from the Help Desk. Please note that the Motors forum now applies.

Thanks.

-Shield

ofcork

Ive never driven without a valid nct always go early,went online at night got a date within 2 days so there are ways of getting a test on time.Was due in june passed test in april so had 14 months nct.

joebloggs32

I look around at a few centres and always get sorted. I have been at 4 different locations in the last 5 years. Expanding your search to other centres can greatly help secure a spot in a timely fashion.

warrior00

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121294986#Comment_121294986

I do that as well. I go to Ballina, Westport or Castlerea and then for about three or four years the one in Tuam(this one wasn't always there). I live in east Mayo and Tuam would actually be my closest.

Furze99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058319880/had-my-car-nct-today-but-only-got-a-ticket-for-four-months-due-to-the-back-log-of-testing

Same here but bit longer. I get the abuse theory but the reason people cannot get their tests more quickly is entirely due to failures in the AppPlus system. It makes no logic to test a car today, pass it and say come back again in a few months, that's farcical.

As for requesting a priority slot that too is nonsense - if everyone does this, there is no priority. Imagine 100 passengers for a RyanAir flight all booking priority boarding. If a priority slot works for some, then it's only at others expense and makes them wait longer.

Long past time for the RSA to sort this out or get rid of the system.

tayto lover

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121294958#Comment_121294958

Good idea that. I'll do the same.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058319880/had-my-car-nct-today-but-only-got-a-ticket-for-four-months-due-to-the-back-log-of-testing

You could have gotten a test within a few weeks if you called them so yes its kind of your fault.

Sure you would have had to do your NCT in Feb 2023 and Feb 2024, only difference is you delayed the first one by over 6 months, makes no difference in the grand scheme of things.

3DataModem

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058319880/had-my-car-nct-today-but-only-got-a-ticket-for-four-months-due-to-the-back-log-of-testing

If you had waited a few weeks, you'd have got one for 15 months.

antodeco

Edit ..

Marcusm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121290804#Comment_121290804

In fairness, you couldn’t get a test which suited your location and timing choices not that you couldn’t get a test at all.

Marcusm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121295028#Comment_121295028

Surely it’s even more farcical that the OP drove around with an unapproved car for 8 months without expending the modicum of effort to get it tested.

FishOnABike

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121304650#Comment_121304650

No it's more farcical that to ensure your car has a valid NCT certificate you need to try to book an annual test eight or nine months in advance when the waiting time service level target is twelve days.

Marcusm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121308788#Comment_121308788

tgis has been a known issue for months. I got a date within 3 weeks of trying by being flexible and checking availability regularly. It’s easy enough to do but some people want to fall back on service levels and on-line bitching than problem solving.

Flinty997

Sssh there is no way to get the NCT test faster.... 🤥

Padre_Pio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121304650#Comment_121304650

The modicum of effort was booking the test.

Why should anyone be made to put extra effort to secure an earlier test date than the one given?

My test date was 8 months out. I realised a month before that I wouldnt be able to attend so I rebooked it. Another 6 months. At least I'll get a disk for almost a full year and a free test.

Flinty997

Why book it at all in that case...

FishOnABike

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121304650#Comment_121304650

I've checked almost every night for the last week and the nearest test date I see is towards the end of May next year. There has been no tests available within the 90 day test window. How much effort is one expected to expend?

Marcusm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121313398#Comment_121313398

That’s fine so long as you are willing to park the car up while the cert is out of date; the modicum of effort is required in order to avoid committing an offence! Some of us think that effort is worthwhile.

Marcusm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121313581#Comment_121313581

Let me guess; you are looking at a single test centre? Widen your search.