NCT retest question

Redriddick · 23-03-2026 11:41AM #1

Hi all,

I brought my car for it's test on the 12th of February and it duly failed on rear suspension and the infamous headlights. Got all sorted and brought it for the retest on the 10th of March. Failed again on the headlights, bit of a discussion with the tester and said I'd have to retest it again. Went to garage to get em aligned again F.O.C and just went to book my retest and it's now back to a full retest. Is this not a complete joke all together? Failed the second test on one headlight mis aligned and that's all.

elperello · 23-03-2026 11:54AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058436213/nct-retest-question

It's a bit of a pain but it needs to pass the retest within 30 days.

Chances are it will pass anyway so don't worry too much about it.

Redriddick · 23-03-2026 12:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124334265#Comment_124334265

Bit of a joke though that it passed everything except the headlight, and the 21 days doesn't count

User1998 · 23-03-2026 01:05PM

What's the issue here? You failed your NCT, failed to rectify the issue, and then ran out of time for a retest. Why didn't you get your lights checked before the initial test? Or better yet get your car serviced and checked over so you would pass first time?

Redriddick · 23-03-2026 01:46PM

So serving yiur car and getting it checked over makes it pass first time?

I brought it for a retest before the time limit was up and it still failed on said headlight, which was checked by the garage, I then had 3 days in order to get it rectified and retested for a second time.

User1998 · 23-03-2026 02:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124334570#Comment_124334570

Yes, if you prepared for the test by getting the car checked over they would have spotted the rear suspension and light alignment. You didn't get the car checked, you failed, and it took you 25 days to rectify the issues, one of which you didn't rectify properly so you failed again.

reubenreuben · 23-03-2026 04:57PM

I can't see why the NCT can't adjust your lights if high. They have all the equipment. They do it in Britain during mot. It's not worth failing just for headlights. It's just another moneyspinner by NCT centres.

awec · 23-03-2026 05:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124335095#Comment_124335095

The MOT in Britain is performed by local garages, there are no dedicated MOT centres. They might fix the headlights during the test but they will charge you for it.

In Northern Ireland, MOT is managed by the DVLA NI, which is like our NCT system, and they will not fix headlights during the test.

There's no money spinner here.

elperello · 23-03-2026 05:51PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124335095#Comment_124335095

The NCT line system doesn't lend itself to adjusting faults.

The idea is to get through the checks in a given time to allow for a set number of bookings in the day.

Just adjusting headlights can run into difficulty if you come across a damaged component or even something small like a missing screw.

Seth Brundle · 23-03-2026 06:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124335095#Comment_124335095

I can't see why the NCT can't adjust your lights if high. They have all the equipment.

They have the equipment to test things, not to fix them, replace parts, etc.
In addition, if it were like the British setup, people woul dbe moaning that the NCT are fixing things that didn't require fixing and is therefore just a "moneyspinner by the NCT centres"!

They do it in Britain during mot.

If you prefer that approach then maybe move to Britain!
However, the MoT system is not without it's issues e.g. Crackdown on MOT fraud comes under fire | Autocar and MOT fraud on the rise, DVSA figures show - Garage Wire

It's not worth failing just for headlights. It's just another moneyspinner by NCT centres.

I'm not sure if you can recall the standard of Irish vehicles prior to the introduction of the NCT but it was quite poor compared to now!
Anyhow, the test criteria are all published online and the test itself is quite transparent (you can even watch it take place). The only thing a car owner needs to do is make sure that their vehicle is in a roadworthy condition through regular professional maintenance - something the OP clearly didn't do!

Redriddick · 23-03-2026 06:34PM

So, because I didn't get my headlights checked before the NCT my car was not roadworthy?

I have no issue with the NCT, I put through 3 cars yearly or nearly yearly. The point i was making was that I only had 3 days to rectify the second failure on the lights, even though they were set for the test by a garage. Plus €40 for the use of the headlight tester for a few minutes is a bit excessive tbh.

But anyhoo, I'll book a new test and all will be good.

Seth Brundle · 23-03-2026 06:42PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124335349#Comment_124335349

So, because I didn't get my headlights checked before the NCT my car was not roadworthy?

No. Your car was not roadworthy because it didnt pass the test!

The point i was making was that I only had 3 days to rectify the second failure on the lights

You had 28 days to sort it so stop with the victimisation nonsense!

Redriddick · 23-03-2026 07:30PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124335374#Comment_124335374

Bit harsh with the victimisation statement tbh. Only wondered why if it was tested again the clock didn't reset and give u a shorter time to retest. It is what it is. Garage who set my headlights have agreed to pay the €60 for the new test so alls good.

elperello · 23-03-2026 07:34PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124335490#Comment_124335490

That's a decent garage.

Fair play to them for looking after you.

User1998 · 23-03-2026 07:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124335490#Comment_124335490

The 28 days window is from the initial test date not any subsequent retests. It would have said that on the top of your second fail sheet

awec · 23-03-2026 07:54PM

Even the 3 day window for the second retest was easily doable for something basic like headlights.

I've had to do retests before and getting a retest appointment was always easy, even got a same-day appointment once.

Redriddick · 23-03-2026 08:05PM

Appreciate the input.

NCT retest question

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