The Tester Isn’t Always Right: 200+ Official Complaints

You have just been handed the failure sheet. The tester says your headlamp alignment is off, or your suspension has an imbalance. But the car was serviced yesterday. You know it’s perfect.

Most Irish drivers accept the result, pay the €40 re-test fee, and move on. But did you know you can challenge the decision? Recent reports confirm that over 200 official complaints were lodged against Applus+ in the last 12 months, with drivers citing “spurious” results and equipment errors. In fact, an RTE report released today highlights a growing trend of “unfair” refusals.

If you believe your car was failed incorrectly, do not book a re-test immediately. You have the right to appeal. Here is the insider guide to fighting the system.

The “Insider” Solution: When to Appeal vs. When to Re-book

Appealing is a slow process. It can take weeks to get an independent inspection. If your NCT certificate is already expired and you need to drive to work, fighting the system might keep you off the road longer than simply fixing the issue.

The Strategic Move: If the failure is minor (e.g., a bulb or wiper), just fix it. If the failure is major but you need the car legal now, it is often faster to book a cancellation slot. Our NCT appointment bot can find you a re-test slot within 3 days. However, if the failure is expensive (e.g., emissions or suspension) and you are 100% sure the car is fine, follow the appeal steps below.

The Official NCT Appeal Protocol (Step-by-Step)

The NCTS does not advertise this process, but it exists in the fine print of the Customer Charter.

1. Step 1: The “Car Park” Complaint
   Do not leave the test centre. Once you drive away, it becomes your word against theirs. Ask to speak to the Centre Supervisor immediately. Show them the defect and ask for a manual re-check. A reasonable supervisor may overrule a tester’s marginal decision on the spot.
2. Step 2: The Formal Appeal (7 Days)
   If the supervisor stands firm, you must lodge a formal appeal within 7 days. You will need to complete an appeal form (available at the centre) and pay a fee.
3. Step 3: Independent Technical Inspection
   Your car will be re-tested by an independent AA engineer or a senior NCTS technical inspector, not the original tester.

The Cost of Fighting: Is It Worth It?

Appealing is a gamble. You must pay the full test fee upfront to launch an appeal. If you win, you get a full refund and a pass certificate. If you lose, you lose the money and still have to fix the car.

Action	Upfront Cost	Refundable?	Timeframe
Standard Appeal	€60.00 (Full Test Fee)	Yes (If you win)	14 – 28 Days
Lane Re-test	€40.00	No	3 – 21 Days
District Court	Legal Fees	No	Months

Common Grounds for Successful Appeals

Not every fail is appealable. You cannot appeal a bald tyre. However, we see success in these specific areas:

• Emissions (Diesel Smoke): If the tester did not condition (warm up) the engine correctly before the test.
• Headlamp Aim: If the testing equipment floor was uneven or the machine was not calibrated.
• Window Tint: If the tester judged the tint visually rather than using a light meter.

What if I lose the appeal?

If the independent inspector agrees with the original fail, you are back to square one. You must repair the vehicle and book a standard re-test. By this time, your 21-day re-test window may have expired, meaning you have to pay for a Full Test again.

To avoid this risk, many drivers choose to simply book a re-test immediately. Check our NCT locations list to see the real wait times in your area. If your local centre is booked out, our system can help you skip the queue.

For more details on what triggers a fail, read our guide to NCT fail reasons in 2026.