How-to
Headlamp Aim NCT Fail: How 150,000 Irish Cars Fail on a €0 Fix (2026)
Over 150,000 vehicles fail the NCT on headlamp aim every year. Here's why misaligned beams happen and how a 2-minute wall check saves a €40 re-test fee.
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NCT
Published NCT articles filed under NCT.
How-to
Turned Away at the Driving Test: The €85 NCT Mistake Learner Drivers Make (2026)
RSA examiners will cancel your driving test on the spot and forfeit your €85 fee if your car lacks a valid NCT disc. Here's how to secure an emergency slot.
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How-to
The Tyre Mistake Grounding 1 in 13 Irish Cars at the NCT (2026 Checklist)
Over 14% of all Fail Dangerous NCT results come down to simple tyre defects most drivers miss. Here's how to inspect your rubber before the test.
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News
Garda Car Seizures Hit 18,000: The Real Cost of Driving Without NCT (2026)
Gardai have seized over 18,000 vehicles under Section 41 for missing NCT, tax, and insurance. Here's how ANPR cameras catch drivers and what fines apply.
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NCT Booking
NCT Ennis 2026: Why 52% of Cars Fail and How to Skip the 17-Week Wait
Over 52% of cars failed at the Ennis NCT centre in County Clare, with wait times reaching 17 weeks. Here's what's failing and how to skip the queue.
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News
Garda ANPR Integration: Real-Time NVDF Database Scanning Live (2026)
An Garda Síochána has integrated real-time NVDF database lookups with patrol car ANPR cameras and Garda mobility apps. Here's how instant reg scanning works.
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News
Garda Roads Police Bank Holiday Blitz: 4 Lifesaver Offences in Focus (2026)
Gardai and the RSA launched an intensive Bank Holiday crackdown targeting speeding, intoxicants, mobile phones, and seatbelts. Here is what drivers need to know.
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News
RSA Warning: Stop Using the NCT as a Cheap Diagnostic Tool (2026) | NCT Bot
49% of Irish cars fail the NCT. The RSA warns drivers to stop using testers as a cheap diagnostic tool. These 7 checks save you €40.
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NCT Booking
NCT Cork 2026: Record 9,288 Cars Hit with Fail Dangerous Rating
A record 9,288 vehicles in Cork received a Fail Dangerous result in H1 2026. Little Island and Blarney were hit hardest. See what's happening on Cork test lanes.
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NCT Booking
NCT Fail Dangerous? Get an Emergency Slot (2026) | NCT Bot
71,308 cars failed dangerous in 2026. If you get the red sticker, you can't drive home. Find out how to fix it and skip the re-test queue.
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News
The EV NCT Trap: Why Heavy Electric Cars Are Failing Test Inspections (2026)
Heavy battery weight is causing electric cars in Ireland to fail the NCT on suspension and tyre inner shoulder wear. Learn what EV owners must check.
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News
Expired NCT & Car Insurance: What Insurance Ireland's 2026 Update Means for You
Insurance Ireland confirmed members will take a pragmatic approach to NCT delays if you have active booking proof. Here is when you are covered and when you are not.
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News
Garda ANPR Cameras: How 390 New Speed Zones Catch Expired NCTs (2026)
Garda ANPR cameras across patrol cars and 390 new speed zones automatically flag cars with expired NCTs. Here is how it works and how to avoid 5 penalty points.
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NCT Booking
Cavan NCT Stats 2026: 693 Cars Left the Test Centre on a Tow Truck
3,744 cars failed the NCT in Cavan in the first half of 2026, with 693 vehicles receiving a Fail Dangerous notice. Here's what's causing it and what local drivers can do.
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News
The €2,000 Tyre Mistake That Causes 133,000 NCT Fail Dangerous Results (2026)
Over 133,000 cars received a Fail Dangerous result on the NCT in 2026. The most common cause is a simple tyre mistake most drivers never check before the test.
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News
Mileage Clocking Crackdown: New EU Rules Will Track Your Odometer (2026)
New EU roadworthiness rules require garages to record your odometer at every service visit. Connected cars report it automatically. Clocking mileage just got a lot harder in Ireland.
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News
Turned Away for Low Oil: The Costly NCT Checkpoint Drivers Miss (2026)
NCT inspectors can refuse to test your car if oil or coolant is low — and you still lose the slot. Here is the quick checklist that takes two minutes and saves €60.
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News
NCT Abroad: New EU Rules to Allow Vehicle Testing Across Borders (2026)
New EU roadworthiness rules will allow motorists to get their vehicles technically tested in any EU country, issuing a temporary 6-month cert. Here is what it means for Irish drivers.
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News
NCT Email Results: No More Paper Test Reports After You Pass (2026)
NCT Ireland now emails your Vehicle Inspection Report instead of printing it at the desk. Your windscreen disc is still printed. Here's what's changed.
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NCT Booking
New NCT Centre Opens in Navan: Meath Gets a Second Test Centre (2026)
A new NCT centre opened in Navan on 5 July 2026 on the Athboy Road. Here's what Meath drivers need to know about slots, fees, and how to get in quick.
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NCT Booking
NCT Backlog Halved: The 12-Day Wait Reality Gap | NCT Bot
The NCT backlog is set to drop to 12 days, but over 400,000 cars are still queued. Use our NCT cancellation slot scanner to skip the wait.
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News
NCT Windscreen Disc: The Paper Discs Are Going. But Not Yet. (2026)
Ireland plans to scrap paper NCT and tax windscreen discs under the NVDF Bill 2026 — but nothing has changed yet. Remove yours and risk a €60 fine.
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News
NCT June 2026: 1 in 12 Cars Left the Test Lane on a Tow Truck
June 2026 NCT stats are out: 49% pass rate, 12,203 Fail Dangerous results. 1 in 12 cars couldn't legally leave the test centre. Find out the common culprits.
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News
NCT Free Test Guarantee: The 28-Day Rule That Vanished (2026)
The NCTS charter promises a free €60 test if you wait over 28 days. They quietly suspended it during the backlog. Here's how to claim what you're owed.
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News
NCT Cancellation Fee 2026: The New Cost of Rescheduling Your Test
The NCTS has increased cancellation and rescheduling fees for 2026. Here are the new rules for periodic tests and re-tests, and how to avoid paying.
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News
NCT 10-Year Rule: How Backlogs Force You Onto Annual Tests (2026)
Ireland's NCT backlog is pushing cars onto annual tests before their time. If your car is turning 10, you need a slot fast — here's the trap explained.
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News
NCT Re-test Fee: €40 to Recheck One Item. Dáil Questions the Logic.
A Dáil question from May 2026 asks why a single-item NCT re-test costs €40 — 67% of a full 200-item inspection. The Government's answer leaves drivers unconvinced.
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News
ICE2EV Scrappage Scheme: €8,500 Off — But You Need a Valid NCT First (2026)
Ireland's ICE2EV pilot offers €8,500 to scrap your old car for a new EV — but the NCT cert catch trips up thousands of rural drivers.
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News
NCT Booking Backlog: Beat the Summer Rush
Over forty percent of Irish drivers face a 3+ month NCT backlog in 2026. If your certificate is expiring, here is how to secure a summer cancellation slot.
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News
NCT Firm Made €2.26m a Week in 2025. Your Queue Isn't Fixed. (2026) | NCT Bot
Applus made €117m running the NCT in 2025. Pre-tax profit up 7%. The re-test fee jumped 43%. And 414,000 cars are still overdue.
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NCT Booking
NCT Pass Rates: The Worst Centres Revealed (2026)
Over 50% of cars failed their first test at several major centres last year. Here is the list of the worst performing centres and how to prep your car.
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News
RSA Reform Blocked: Ministers Chose Politics Over Your NCT Queue | NCT Bot
Officials said break up the RSA. Ministers said no. 414,000 cars are still overdue an NCT. Here is what the Indecon review actually recommended.
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How-to
NCT Visual Re-Test 2026: Which Fails Are Free? (Full List)
Some NCT fails cost €0 to re-test. Others cost €40. Your VIR tells you which is which — if you know how to read it. Here is the full list.
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NCT Booking
NCT Tipperary: 54% Fail Rate in Nenagh — Don't Get Caught (2026)
Nenagh has a 54.5% NCT fail rate — worst in Tipperary. Cahir is close behind. Here's what's going wrong and how to grab a slot before the queue gets worse.
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How-to
NCT for Electric Cars: 5 Fails Every EV Owner Misses (2026)
Your EV skips the emissions test but not the other 55 checks. Brake rust, tyre wear, and suspension — here's what catches EV owners at the NCT.
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NCT Booking
NCT Ennis: Clare Has Ireland’s Worst Fail Rate — And a 12-Week Wait (2026)
Clare has Ireland’s worst NCT pass rate — 58.5% of cars failed in 2025. Ennis is booked 10–12 weeks out. Here’s how to jump the queue.
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NCT Booking
NCT Tralee: Kerry's 3-Centre Queue Problem (2026)
Tralee and Killarney are 10–12 weeks out for NCT slots. Kerry has three centres now — but you still need a cancellation alert to get tested before summer.
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NCT Booking
NCT Athlone: The Midlands' Hidden Shortcut (2026)
Athlone NCT on Dublin Road serves half the midlands — but cancellation slots drop daily. Here's how to skip the queue and test this week.
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NCT Booking
NCT Navan: Meath's 16-Week Trap — And the Way Out (2026)
Navan NCT at Mullaghboy is booked 16 weeks out. Meath drivers are stuck on the N51 with an expired disc. Here's how to grab a cancellation slot this week.
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NCT Booking
NCT Dublin: 5 Centres, 28-Week Wait — The M50 Shortcut (2026)
Dublin NCT wait hits 28 weeks across Northpoint, Fonthill and Greenhills. Cancellation slots drop nightly — here's how to grab one this week.
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NCT Booking
NCT Cavan: Don't Get Caught on the N3 (2026) | NCT Bot
Cavan NCT wait hits 10 weeks in March 2026. Your cert is expired and the N3 has Garda checkpoints. Here's how to grab a cancellation slot today.
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How-to
NCT Headlamp Aim: The €20 Fix That 151,214 Cars Missed (2026) | NCT Bot
151,214 cars failed the NCT on headlamp aim alone last year. It's a €20 fix at any garage — here's how to check yours before test day.
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How-to
NCT Checklist 2026: 12 Checks Before Your Test (So She Passes First Time)
49% of Irish cars failed the NCT last year. This 12-point checklist covers the exact items testers check — so you don't waste €40 and a morning at the centre.
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NCT Booking
NCT Galway March 2026: 10 Weeks and Counting — Here's The Shortcut
Galway NCT at Doughiska is still 10+ weeks out in March 2026. Cancellation slots drop nightly.
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How-to
Cancel NCT Booking: What It Costs and How to Avoid the Trap (2026)
Cancelling your NCT costs €24 if you're late. Here's the 5-day rule, how refunds really work, and how the bot finds you a better slot instead of cancelling.
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News
NCT Booking Scam 2026: Fake Websites Are Stealing Hundreds from Irish Drivers
Fake NCT websites charged Irish drivers up to €600 for bookings that don't exist. The Gardaí are investigating. Here's how to spot the scam — and what's actually legal.
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NCT Booking
NCT Dundalk: Ireland's Border Town Fast Lane (2026) February update
Dundalk NCT on Coes Road is one of Ireland's fastest centres — but border town demand means slots vanish. Here's how to grab one this week.
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NCT Booking
NCT Naas: The Wait Dropped to 2 Weeks — February 2026 Update
Naas NCT wait has crashed from 20+ weeks to just 2.4 weeks in February 2026. Commuter belt drivers — this window won't last. Here's how to grab a slot now.
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