Boomtimesahead forsmallgarages

January 1999

Small garages in Wexford are heading for boom times as tens of thousands of motorists scramble to get their cars fit for compulsory road tests, which come into force in January next year.

The National Car Testing Service (NCT) says that without a test, motorists with cars registered before 1992 will not be able to get their vehicles taxed once strict checks on passenger cars become law on January 4, 2000.

Cars registered between 1992 and 1996 will have to be tested in 2001, and four-year-old and eligible older cars in 2002. After the initial test, cars will have to be re-tested every second year. All cars will become subject to the tests when they reach four years old.

A Wexford motor dealer, who asked not to be identified, said small garages and back-street workshops would be the most likely to benefit during the first phase of testing because many people driving pre-92 cars would not take them to main dealerships for servicing or repairs.

‘ The small boys and the black economy are going to benefit most,’ he said.

Accompanied by the phasing out of leaded petrol, the tests, which include checks on exhaust emissions, could force many older cars off the road.

The Department of the Environment said that around half the 1.1 million cars on Irish roads were registered before 1992.

The NCT says the majority of motorists will not have to drive more than 30 miles to one of the 43 test centres being set up countrywide. Wexford’s only test centre will be in Enniscorthy.

Tests will take about half an hour and will cost £35. Re-tests for cars that fail the first time will cost £19.80, or will be free where test lane equipment is not used.

A new disc will be issued for all vehicles that pass the test and it will be compulsory to display it while driving, similar to how tax and insurance discs currently have to be displayed.