PRE-NCT check worth it?

Kaldo · 18-10-2020 3:35pm #1

Hi all,

Last year I did a pre-NCT check (usually free of charge however I believe there is always something to fix...) previous to the NCT inspection. Some things were repaired however the first NCT inspection, there were 1 major plus 2 minor issues to be fixed. I came back to the same car repair dealer and I was charged again to fix them up. This means the car service failed to fix whatever the car required to pass the NCT inspection at once, to be charged again (including x hour). I complained to the car service and they said, "that's normal as it is impossible to guarantee that your car can pass the NCT. Pre-NCT checks the very basics). I don't understand...

My question is: is it worthy to do a pre-NCT check? I'm been thinking to go to the NCT inspection even though I know I won't pass it at first, getting the report and then asking the any car reparirment service to fix whatever the report says. For God sake, they will know what to do instead of bluffing.

Atlantic Dawn · 18-10-2020 3:37pm

I would think it's a waste of time, better to put it through and the test will tell you what needs replacing.

Saying that you should check every light on the car is working, all tyres are legal thread depth and wipers are not damaged.

Kaldo · 18-10-2020 4:13pm

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

I would think it's a waste of time, better to put it through and the test will tell you what needs replacing.

Saying that you should check every light on the car is working, all tyres are legal thread depth and wipers are not damaged.

Thanks. What about the door window? It doesn't scroll down. Can I pass the NCT?

cml387 · 18-10-2020 4:14pm

Kaldo wrote: »

Thanks. What about the door window? It doesn't scroll down. Can I pass the NCT?

Driver door is a fail.

Truckermal · 18-10-2020 4:44pm

I always detail my Car before the NCT...

the_syco · 20-10-2020 1:07am

Kaldo wrote: »

usually free of charge however I believe there is always something to fix...

They'll always find something to fix. Do the NCT, fix whatever needs fixing, fix that and when you get the NCT, then ask what the garage thinks needs fixing if you want.

User1998 · 20-10-2020 1:55am

If you brought a freshly NCT’d car to a garage for one of these ‘pre ncts’ they’d still claim that work needs to be done for it to pass the test. There a con imo. Best to just put it through the test and give the garage the fail sheet and they will only fix what needs fixing

salamiii · 20-10-2020 1:59am

don't bring it they can pull out wires loosen bolts erc

con747 · 20-10-2020 2:01am

salamiii wrote: »

don't bring it they can pull out wires loosen bolts erc

What??

con747 · 20-10-2020 2:13am

Do all your basic checks with lights, fluids and wipers, and tyres. Have a look at your brake pads and discs, you can usually see them good enough without wheel removal. Go do the test and if it fails then go to a garage or mechanic to fix the faults. I'm not sure why you say you know it will fail but you should say what is wrong so advise can be given.

i57dwun4yb1pt8 · 21-10-2020 9:33am

it might be worth getting your own emissions check if its an old car sohans in Trim do them .

in case yours 'fails' ..

zg3409 · 22-10-2020 1:33pm

Genuine garages will recommend you DO NOT do a pre NCT. You should check the basics, including oil, screenwash, tyres.

Be warned if you pass your NCT you still need to service your car, at minimum annual oil and filter changes but also important things like timing belts and water pump. A valid NCT typically checks practically nothing on the engine and does not verify the engine was ever serviced.

Isambard · 23-10-2020 8:26am

most decent mechanics have plenty of work without resorting to inventing it at a pre -test. The main danger is they will fix something borderline which may have passed, thus wasting your money.

redcup342 · 23-10-2020 9:56am

Not worth it, go to the test and fix whatever they ask to be fixed.

What happens if you have a pre-test then go get NCT'd and they tell you that something else needs to be repaired.

Pre-Test crowd will just say it happened afterwards

dkd21 · 23-10-2020 10:43am

Colten Weak Self-satisfaction wrote: »

it might be worth getting your own emissions check if its an old car sohans in Trim do them .

in case yours 'fails' ..

It might 'pass' in these garages ... many don't even have the correct emissions test software or procedure :rolleyes:

Andrewf20 · 23-10-2020 10:49am

Waste of time in my one experience. They mentioned things that didn't fail (torn seat) and missed things that did.

Seweryn · 23-10-2020 12:00pm

Most of independent garages can't check the following (they have no equipment like at the NCT Centre):

- The suspension balance,
- Emissions,
- Brake balance,
- Side slip, etc.

What they can check for you is also what you can do yourself, i.e.:
- Check if all lights are working,
- Wipers,
- Horn,
- Check the driver's seat,
- Seat belts,
- Fuel cap,
- Spare wheel,
- Condition of tyres,
- Condition of pedal pads,
- Mirrors,
- Brake fluid, coolant and engine oil level (Sometimes transmission oil level)...

And that is about enough.

At a garage they can also easier check for exhaust leaks (you can do it yourself, but it is easier on a lift) or the condition of the brake system (You can do it yourself by taking off each wheel and inspecting the elements).

In general as mentioned by Others - waste of time.

crosstownk · 23-10-2020 9:39pm

I wouldn't bother with a pre-NCT unless you've a specific concern. Just check lights and levels, remove any wheel trims and make sure all seat belts and receivers are visible. Let the NCT tell you what needs to be done. The cost of a retest will be less than a pretest.

i57dwun4yb1pt8 · 25-10-2020 10:05am

dkd21 wrote: »

It might 'pass' in these garages ... many don't even have the correct emissions test software or procedure :rolleyes:

garage has less to gain if it 'passes' , the NCT has failed procedure on emissions many times from first hand knowledge
:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

dkd21 · 25-10-2020 11:29am

Colten Weak Self-satisfaction wrote: »

garage has less to gain if it 'passes' , the NCT has failed procedure on emissions many times from first hand knowledge
:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Im not suggesting the garage is duping the test to pass

What was your experiences of failed procedure ?

Pekarirska · 25-10-2020 4:27pm

Free pre NCT apparently

https://bestdrive.ie/book-a-service/?type=prenctfree

Isambard · 25-10-2020 4:48pm

Pekarirska wrote: »

Free pre NCT apparently

https://bestdrive.ie/book-a-service/?type=prenctfree

test is free but what jobs will they find?

Kaldo · 26-10-2020 5:12pm

Whatever...

Harry Palmr · 26-10-2020 5:17pm

Just time the annual service with the nct in mind.

greasepalm · 26-10-2020 5:28pm

It may also depend on year of car and upkeeping of car on a regular basis.We had a car in for wheel bearing noise and abs sensor and had to strip bearing off car to remove the seized sensor.6" split on inner sidewall not seen 2 weeks previous visual test and other side with a 2" rip on inner side wall.I said to customer he is lucky to be alive and showed him the tyre in the boot.
What you dont know can kill you or someone else.Your choice if getting car checked out before hand and if it is old what rust is underneath car sills body work.Metal brake pipes can be cleaned down if not too bad with slight surface rust.Bad severe rust will mean new lines fitted for safety.

PRE-NCT check worth it?

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