54.1% Pass Rate — and Most of Ireland Has No Idea
While drivers in Dublin and Cork fight over greyed-out calendars and 20-week backlogs, Kilkenny’s NCT centre at Cillin Hill Business and Retail Park in Lyrath quietly boasts one of the highest pass rates in the country. According to the latest NCTS data, Kilkenny passes 54.1% of cars — nearly 5 percentage points above the national average of 49.2%.
That is not a coincidence. Kilkenny drivers — and the network of trusted local garages along the Hebron Road and the Dublin Road (R712) — take pre-test preparation seriously. A €35 “NCT prep check” at any decent garage near the MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre catches the small stuff (wipers, registration plate fonts, tyre sidewall dates) that trips up drivers elsewhere.
But here is the catch: word is spreading. Drivers from Carlow, Laois, and even South Tipperary are now booking Cillin Hill because its wait times are shorter than their local centres. If you need a test sooner than the calendar shows, our NCT cancellation slot scanner monitors the Kilkenny centre around the clock and alerts you the moment a slot opens — often within days, not months.
Kilkenny NCT Centre: The Numbers That Matter
| Metric | Kilkenny (Cillin Hill) | National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Pass Rate | 54.1% | 49.2% |
| Fail Dangerous Rate | 6.8% | 8.4% |
| Current Wait Time | 12–14 weeks | 16–24 weeks |
| Tests Per Day (Est.) | 40–50 | — |
Why Cillin Hill Outperforms Most NCT Centres
Three factors make Kilkenny’s centre a standout for drivers across the South East:
1. A rural-urban sweet spot. Unlike the mega-centres at Deansgrange or Northpoint that serve populations of 500,000+, Kilkenny’s catchment is large enough to keep the lanes busy but small enough to avoid catastrophic backlogs. The result is a centre that runs efficiently without the “ghost slot” chaos found in Dublin.
2. Excellent local prep culture. Kilkenny city has a strong network of independent garages, particularly along the Hebron Road, the Callan Road (R697), and near the Castlecomer Road roundabout. Pre-NCT checks are a local tradition here — not an afterthought. That culture directly feeds into the centre’s 54% pass rate.
3. Strategic location on the M9. Cillin Hill sits right off the M9 motorway at Junction 8. This makes it accessible from Carlow (25 min), Waterford (45 min via the M9), and even Portlaoise (50 min via the M8/M9). Drivers who are willing to make the trip are rewarded with shorter waits.
The South East “NCT Triangle”: Who’s Driving to Kilkenny?
Booking data and search trends show a clear pattern. Drivers from these areas are actively searching for Kilkenny NCT slots:
From Carlow (25 min via the N10/M9): Carlow’s own centre on the Strawhall Industrial Estate regularly shows 14–16 week waits. The N10 dual carriageway makes Cillin Hill a realistic alternative — exit at Junction 8, follow the R712 past the Kilkenny Retail Park, and you are there in under 30 minutes.
From Waterford (45 min via the M9): As we detailed in our Waterford NCT guide, Cleaboy Road has been getting busier as neighbouring counties discover its short queue. Some Waterford drivers who miss a cancellation slot there are now heading north to Kilkenny instead.
From Portlaoise (50 min via the M7/M8): Laois drivers face 14–16 week waits locally. The M7-to-M8 corridor makes Kilkenny reachable in under an hour, and the pass rate difference alone makes it worth the fuel.
From Thurles and Clonmel (South Tipperary): Neither town has a nearby NCT centre with short waits. Drivers from the N76 corridor between Clonmel and Kilkenny are increasingly choosing Cillin Hill over the longer drive to Cork’s Little Island.
How to Get a Kilkenny NCT Slot This Week
The official NCTS booking system (view all locations) shows Kilkenny availability. But here is what the system does not tell you: cancellation slots appear and vanish within minutes. A driver in Thomastown cancels their Friday 10am slot at midnight, and by 7am it is gone.
That is exactly what NCT Bot was built for. Set your preferred centre to Kilkenny — Cillin Hill, choose your date range, and the bot will send you an instant alert the moment a cancellation appears. No refreshing. No 11pm calendar-watching. Just a notification and a direct link to book.
Local Insider Tips: Getting to Cillin Hill
From the city centre (High Street/Parade area): Head south on the R700 past Kilkenny Castle, continue through the Callan Road roundabout, and follow signs for the Cillin Hill Retail Park. The NCT centre is at the back of the business park, behind the Kilkenny Livestock Mart. Allow 10 minutes in traffic.
From the M9 Motorway: Exit at Junction 8 (Kilkenny South). Take the R712 towards the city — the retail park is signposted within 2 km. This is the fastest route if you are coming from Waterford or Carlow.
From the N77 (Durrow/Castlecomer direction): Follow the N77 south into the city, take the ring road around to the Kilkenny Retail Park junction. The centre is a 5-minute detour from the ring road.
Parking: Cillin Hill has ample parking compared to city centres like Deansgrange. However, morning slots (8:30–10:00) are the busiest. If you are testing at peak time, arrive 15 minutes early to avoid stress.
FAQ
How long is the NCT wait in Kilkenny right now?
As of February 2026, the Kilkenny NCT centre at Cillin Hill has an average wait of 12–14 weeks for a standard booking. This is shorter than most Dublin centres (20+ weeks) and slightly better than Carlow or Portlaoise. However, cancellation slots regularly appear with just days’ notice — our NCT Bot catches these the moment they are released.
Can I book Kilkenny NCT if I live in Carlow or Waterford?
Yes. You can book any NCT centre in Ireland regardless of where your car is registered. Many drivers from Carlow, Waterford, Laois and South Tipperary already test in Kilkenny because of its shorter queue and higher pass rate. There are no restrictions — just book through the Kilkenny booking page and show up with your car.
How much is the NCT re-test fee in 2026?
If your car fails the NCT, a visual re-test (wipers, registration plates) is free. A lane re-test (brakes, emissions, suspension) costs €40.00. You must complete the re-test within 21 days of the original failure. If you miss that window, the full €55 test fee applies again. In Kilkenny, the 21-day window is more achievable than in gridlocked Dublin centres — but do not leave it to the last minute.