|
|
Car importers can now bypass NCT
centre
25.05.18
DONEGAL drivers can now
import a car without having to bring it for an NCT
test under new EU rules that came into force this
week.
The changes mean people can now effectively swap a
foreign roadworthiness certificate for an NCT disc
provided the existing document is still valid and in
date.
The transport directive is designed to harmonise
vehicle inspection across the EU.
And it will reduce the, often unnecessary, cost and
time associated with bringing a car that has already
been deemed roadworthy by another jurisdiction, to
be retested.
NCT operator Applus said while a fee of 15.50 euro
will eventually apply, it is currently waiving this
charge "until further notice".
"From May 20th 2018, if you import a second-hand
vehicle from another EU member state which was
tested after that date and the vehicle has a current
EU Roadworthiness Certificate, you can have the
unexpired portion of the certificate recognised by
exchanging your out-of-state roadworthiness
certificate for an Irish issued EU recognition
certificate," Applus said in a statement on its
website.
The registered owner of the car must also present
the original or a certified true copy of the
out-of-state cert when applying for the switch. If
it is not in English, a translation of the cert must
also be provided.
The move has received a mixed response from drivers
with some saying it was not adequately publicised. |
 |
|
The NCT centre in Carndonagh. |
Others feared the new
system could be wide open to abuse.
One Boards.ie member warned: "Sounds like a new
avenue for write-offs from the UK getting on the
road here. Car arrives in Ireland, gets a nice NCT
cert without inspection and is sold on to
unsuspecting buyer."
Another added: "Or even (a) heavily damaged car
could possibly use MOT cert from before damage to
get an NCT cert here for a car that has been botched
back together."
A supporter, however, alleged: "It was illegal under
EU law for years for NCT not to recognise valid
foreign roadworthiness tests on imported vehicles."
The Road Safety Authority has been contacted for
comment. Meanwhile, it’s unclear what will happen in
relation to UK vehicle imports to Ireland after
Brexit. |
|
