TEN EASY WAYS TO PASS YOUR NCT
IT ALWAYS amuses me when people tell me they have their cars fully serviced before the NCT. One who did so last week failed anyway, so why not get the official test first, then bring it to the garage for whatever work is necessary to pass on the retest?
That said, there is a list of things you can and should check yourself before rocking up at the test centre, according to the mechanical team at leasevan. co.uk.
1. Make sure all your mirrors are in place and check they’re not cracked to the extent they’re impairing your view.
2. Check your warning lights. If the car actually is telling you something is wrong, definitely don’t wait to get that fixed.
3. Check the tread on your tyres. If they’re below the required depth, not only will you fail, you could get two penalty points and an €80 fine.
4. Check that all your lights are working and replace the bulbs if necessary – this means headlights, sidelights, rear lights, hazard lights, fog lights, indicators and brake lights.
5. Check that the driver’s seatbelt can be adjusted and that all belts are securely fitted. Check them for damage and pull them to make sure they react properly.
6. Beep the horn. If you hear nothing, it’s broken! Get it fixed.
7. Check your oil, brake fluid and power steering fluid ahead of your NCT and make sure the screen wash reservoir is filled.
8. Check your windscreen for cracks. You won’t pass if a defect
in the driver’s line of sight exceeds a circle 10 millimetres in diameter. To the right and left of the driver’s line of sight, this can be 20mm, and on the passenger side 40mm.
9. Wipers must be able to clear the windscreen of rain and should be free of damage or tears. It will work out cheaper to replace these ahead of your NCT if they are defective.
10. Make sure your car is clean. Declutter the interior, clear out the cargo area, and clean the underbody with a sweeping brush – and definitely make sure your licence plates can be read.
Above all, book an appointment well in advance – at some of the busier centres, there is a threeweek wait for slots.