Little-known car issue that could result in a failed NCT and €5,000 fine
Customised or specialist number plates are often illegal and Revenue have issued a fine warning
NCT testers have issued a warning on the little-known issues with your registration plate that could lead to a failed test.
They posted: "Issues with number plates can often result in an NCT visual fail. Make sure that your number plates are displayed correctly; not damaged; clean and can be easily read and in the correct font, size and character spaces."
Customised or specialist number plates are often illegal. Revenue warns that "there is a very specific format and size for the registration plates," adding, "it is illegal to display plates on a vehicle that do not comply with the law.
"You could be fined up to €5,000 if you display plates that do not meet the required standards," Revenue says.
NCT Ireland also recently revealed a number of other little known visual reasons your car could fail the NCT.
The NCT says: "Taking a few minutes to check some of the visual items below and ensuring they are all working in advance of your NCT could potentially save you valuable time and money."
One of the more obscure items that you could easily forget to check is the little bulbs on your registration plates. It is a legal requirement that your registration is visible at all times and if these bulbs aren't working, it cannot be seen at night.
Your car could fail its NCT if its registration plate lamps are "not working, faulty or not fitted; not white in colour; or if the lens is missing or broken." You can check these bulbs by turning your car on and checking the bulbs are on front and rear before the test.
You can see the full NCT visual checklist below:
Windscreen Wipers and Washers
Reasons for failure:
Missing
Not cleaning windscreen effectively
Wiped areas less than sufficient to give the driver an adequate view
Washer, not working, no water or incorrectly aimed
Seat Belts
Belts cut, badly frayed or repaired
Belts not operating properly
Tyre Condition
tread worn, distorted or damaged
tread depth of less than 1.6mm
Incorrectly seated on wheel rim
Valve Damaged
Registration Plate Lamps
Not working, faulty or not fitted
Not white in colour.
Lens missing or broken.
Stop Lamps
Missing or not clearly visible.
Not working or faulty.
Not brighter than tail lights.
Not red in colour
Insecurely mounted
Contains water/moisture
Lens missing or broken
Switch does not operate correctly
Indicator/Tell Tales
Missing, not working or faulty
Lens broken or missing
Not amber in colour
Horn
Control insecure
Horn insecurely mounted
Not working correctly
Not working or not fitted
Registration Plates Front and Rear
One or both plates missing, insecure or not clearly visible.
Numbers or letters missing or illegible or incorrect size
Numbers, letter or background of incorrect colour
Side Lamps
Not white in colour