Motorists are being warned not to overlook fundamental vehicle checks before their NCT, as numerous drivers are being turned away at test centres.
What many do not realise is that straightforward issues such as insufficient engine oil can result in inspectors being unable to examine the vehicle, reports The Mirror.
NCT Ireland posted on Facebook to warn: “Don’t let your oil levels slide or you may be in for a surprise! NCT Inspectors can refuse to test the vehicle because low oil levels can cause issues with exhaust emissions tests. Check all your fluid levels regularly to make sure that they are all topped up to the correct level.”
NCT Ireland has also previously highlighted visibility, lights and wipers as crucial elements that can affect test outcomes if not properly maintained, reports The Mirror.
Drivers are now being urged to carry out a thorough check of their vehicles before attending their test to prevent avoidable delays or failures.
The National Car Testing Service disclosed last year that 182,160 motorists failed their NCT owing to tyre condition, representing 10.5% of drivers, reports The Mirror.
It stated that 43,184 vehicles were found to have dangerously insufficient tread depths of below 1.6mm.
Mark Synnott, Managing Director of NCTS, noted that the service has identified over 200,000 tyres with defects so far this year, reports The Mirror.
Motorists should ensure they do not have mismatched shapes and sizes, worn treads or visible damage on their tyres, that tyres are in matching pairs on each axle both front and rear, that there are no visible bulges, scratches or cuts on the surface, and that they are inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure.
Given Ireland’s unpredictable weather, tyre pressure should be monitored during colder months as temperatures falling will cause pressure to drop, reports The Mirror.
It is advisable to inspect tread depth, which can be done by inserting a €1 coin into a groove.
If the outer gold ring is visible, the tread is excessively worn, reports The Mirror.
This test should be carried out thoroughly at various points along each groove on every tyre, as a single worn patch is enough to result in a failure.
Some tyres feature a Tread Wear Indicator — a ribbed bar running across the tyre and evenly spaced throughout the main grooves — and if the tyre treads sit level with the ribbed bar, the tyre requires immediate replacement, reports The Mirror.
In Ireland, the legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm, with Aviva recommending between 8mm and 4mm for maximum safety.
To pass the NCT, all lights must be fully operational with no cracks or damage, and headlights need to be properly aligned so that they match up evenly and are directed at the correct height, reports The Mirror.
Brake lights should be verified shortly before the test — there is no need to enlist another person, as drivers can simply reverse toward a reflective surface, apply the brakes and check the rear-view mirror.
A test will result in automatic failure should there be an imbalance of 30% or more between the suspension on either side of the vehicle, or if visible signs of wear, leaking, cracking, corrosion or other substantial damage are present, reports The Mirror.
Having fully operational brakes is among the most critical aspects of any vehicle, and the rubber hose responsible for carrying brake fluid can deteriorate and develop leaks over time, along with additional forms of wear and tear that could result in a failure.
Aviva recommends having brakes inspected twice annually, reports The Mirror.
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