A RECORD number of cars
have gone through the NCT this year with more
vehicles tested in the first eleven months than the
whole of 2013.
New figures reveal that 1,262,223 vehicles were
tested from January to November compared to
1,170,899 for the whole of last year. This is a rise
of 91,324 vehicles, with a full month of testing
still to go.
The spike is partly attributed to a rush on NCT
centres ahead of this week's introduction of
on-the-spot fines and three penalty points for
expired or invalid NCT discs.
The rise also continues a trend that saw more
drivers holding on to older cars during the
recession.
The latest figures from NCT operator, Applus, show
that of the 1,262,223 vehicles tested so far this
year, more than half, or 648,106 vehicles, failed
the test. Some 48%, or 609,575 vehicles, passed
first time.
A worrying 4,542 vehicles were slapped with 'fail
dangerous' status and could not be driven away from
the NCT centre. This is 242 more than for the whole
of 2013.
Of the 639,934 vehicles submitted for a retest, 91%
passed while almost 9% failed second time around. A
total of 770 vehicles were again deemed dangerously
un-roadworthy after the retest.
Consistently among the top five failure items each
year are faulty front suspension, tyre condition and
stop lamps.
However, Irish drivers seem to be heeding the advice
on 'headlamp aim', which has not featured in the top
five since 2012. Meanwhile, Applus said there is
currently "heavy demand" for NCT appointments
online. It urged drivers to ring 01 4135992 if the
only dates available fall beyond the expiry date of
their current disc. |
