The NCT cant guarantee safety all year round
NCT is no substitute for regular maintenance and servicing
Many motorists put off servicing their vehicle for most of the year and only rely on NCT as their only annual car check and many mistakingly view passing an NCT as a guarantee that their car will be safe to drive for the next 12 months but this is not always the case. If this were so, a car would pass the NCT every year without fail but for many motorists, this is not the case.
A valid NCT certificate only confirms that the car has passed the minimum standard of roadworthiness needed to drive on a public road here in Ireland. Many drivers are delighted when their car passes the NCT but then forget about their car for the rest of the year.
It is a mistake to view the NCT as the only vehicle check during the year and a substitute for regular maintenance and servicing? The NCT is just a certificate to say that the car was safe and roadworthy at the time of testing but a car can become unroadworthy at any time after an NCT.
The certificate is not a guarantee that in six months down the line, there will not be some problems or maintenance needed on parts such as brakes, lights, tyre depth etc. With so many cars failing the NCT on suspension issues, you would certainly not want to see the pass cert as some kind of magic protection from future problems down the road.
Another concern you may have is when you come to sell your car. Many prospective buyers may be put off if they see that the car has failed the NCT on multiple occasions? This would show that the vehicle has not been properly maintained and cared for. It definitely throws up a red flag for the buyer.
It is therefore advisable to have your car regularly serviced and maintained to a reasonable standard so as you build up a good history on the vehicle.
Author
Justin Kavanagh
Justin Kavanagh is a recognised leader
in automotive intelligence and vehicle
data supply to the entire motor industry.
He has almost 20 years experience in
building systems from the ground up.
As the Managing Director of Vehicle
Management System, he understands the
need and importance of trustworthy and
reliable vehicle history and advice to
both the trade and the public.
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