Common reasons for NCT failure and how to avoid them

With this guide we want to give you information on preparing your car in advance of the NCT (National Car Test) and ensuring your vehicle has the best chance of passing.

Here are 10 of the most common reasons cars fail the NCT in Ireland:

1. Faulty lights

• Headlights, brake lights, indicators, and number plate lights not working or misaligned.

2. Tyre issues

• Tyres worn below the legal tread depth, damaged, or mismatched.

3. Brake problems

• Brakes not working properly, uneven braking, or worn brake pads/discs.

4. Suspension issues

• Worn shock absorbers, broken springs, or damaged suspension components.

5. Steering faults

• Excessive play in the steering wheel, worn steering joints, or leaks in the power steering system.

6. Windscreen and wipers

• Cracked windscreen, damaged wiper blades, or insufficient washer fluid.

7. Exhaust and emissions

• Excessive exhaust emissions, leaking exhaust system, or missing catalytic converter.

8. Registration plate problems

• Illegible, incorrectly displayed, or missing number plates.

9. Seatbelts

• Damaged or non-functioning seatbelts, or missing seatbelt components.

10. Bodywork and structure

• Corrosion (rust), sharp edges, or significant damage to the car’s body or chassis.

Many of these issues relate directly to your safety and the safety of others. Regular maintenance and basic checks before your NCT can help you avoid common failures and keep your vehicle roadworthy.

Consider having your car serviced before the NCT, and check lights, tyres, wipers, and fluids in advance. This proactive approach can help you pass the test the first time.

An interactive vehicle checklist is available on ncts.ie. In addition, ncts.ie also provide a quick checklist to make sure your car is ready for testing and you have all the necessary documentation when you arrive to the test centre.

Our article on everything you need to know to prepare and pass your nct is a useful guide on this topic, and our article on car maintenance provides some handy routine car upkeep tips to get and keep your car in good working order.