How to avoid one of the most common reasons for a car failing the NCT
75,000 cars fail the NCT due to issues with tyres, something which you can inspect yourself
A few simple steps prior to your car NCT appointment can help significantly in ensuring that your car passes first time, as the main reason for failures are revealed.
Latest information show that issues for tyres were the reason for 75,000 'needless fail' alone.
Recent statistics compiled by Applus, the company that oversees the National Car Test (NCT) in Ireland, show that during 2023 nearly half of the 1.5 million cars that were tested recorded a ‘Fail’ result. The total number of failed tests numbered 747,820.
Steering and suspension is the number one reason for a car failing the test.
The number 2 reason are lighting and electrical faults.
The 3rd most common reason for car failure was the 'side slip test' which measures how a car can maintain a straight line when driven without steering wheel input.
And the 4th most common reason for an NCT failure is due to tyres and wheels, which accounts for 10% of all failures.
You can do an inspection yourself to check if your tyres are
The first is tyre tread depth below the legal 1.6mm limit (in many cases on some, or even all, four tyres).
Second is dangerous levels of damage (cuts or bulges for example).
And third is mismatched tyres on the same axle. This happens when tyres are not of the same size, aspect ratio or type (a “summer” tyre on the same axle as a “winter” tyre).
The majority of tyre manufacturers and road safety bodies recommend that tyres should be replaced when they are six years or older.
While this is not a reason for an NCT fail, a ‘pass advisory’ note highlighting the age of the tyres will appear on the test report, advising the motorist to be aware of the potential danger of the ageing tyres.
According to Tom Dennigan, head of premium German tyre manufacturer, Continental Tyres Ireland: “It sounds quite obvious, but with a little bit of preparation, the vast majority of those 75,000 drivers could have passed the NCT. Of the most common reasons for failure, tyres in particular, are the easiest for a car owner to visually check and to rectify. Unlike steering and suspension; lighting and the electrics of a car; or ‘the side slip test’- each of which may require consultation with a mechanic or service professional – all of which comes at a cost, it is easy to carry out a simple visual inspection of a car’s tyres that will show up any potential reasons for a failure result.”
“Having said that, our advice to motorists is always to regularly have your tyres checked at a local tyre dealership where specially trained staff will identify any problems before it’s too late. Most good tyre outlets will happily provide you with a free tyre check,” he said.