Who needs an NCT and when
Every car registered in Ireland must pass an NCT — the National Car Test. It's a legal roadworthiness check carried out at one of the 47 official NCTS test centres around the country.
The schedule is based on your car's age from first registration:
- Year 4: First NCT due
- Year 6: Second test due
- Year 8: Third test due
- Year 10: Fourth test due
- Year 11 onward: Annual tests, every year
Your NCT is due in the same calendar month as your car's original registration, not the anniversary of your last test. If your car was first registered in March 2020, your first NCT was due in March 2024.
4 years
Age of first NCT
All cars registered in Ireland
€55
Standard test fee
€28 for a same-defect re-test within 21 days
47
Test centres nationwide
Booking only at ncts.ie
What's tested at the NCT
The NCT tests around 70 items covering nine inspection areas. Testers cannot open the bonnet and do not inspect internal engine components or the gearbox — they test what's accessible and visible.
Defects are classified as:
- Pass with advisory — a minor issue noted for your attention, but not a failure. The car passes. The advisory will be listed on your cert.
- Minor fail — the car fails but you can apply for a re-test within 21 days for half price (same defect items only).
- Major fail — same re-test rights as a minor fail.
- Dangerous fail — the car cannot be driven away from the test centre except in exceptional circumstances. You must rectify and re-test.
The nine NCT inspection areas
Emissions
Exhaust emissions, fuel cap, and catalytic converter function.
Lighting & electrics
Headlights, indicators, brake lights, reversing lights, hazards, and horn.
Tyres & wheels
Tread depth (minimum 1.6mm), condition, pressure, and wheel security.
Brakes
Brake efficiency, balance between wheels, handbrake, and brake lines.
Steering & suspension
Steering play, ball joints, wheel bearings, shock absorbers, and springs.
Body & chassis
Bodywork condition, chassis integrity, and underside corrosion.
Glass & mirrors
Windscreen chips or cracks in the driver's line of sight, mirrors.
Fuel system
Fuel tank security, fuel cap seal, and fuel lines.
Other checks
Seat belts, windscreen wipers and washers, speedometer, and VIN plate.
How to book your NCT
You can only book through the official NCTS website at ncts.ie. You'll need your car's registration number and your own details. The system will show available slots at all test centres near you.
What to bring on the day:
- Your current vehicle registration certificate (the V5 document)
- Your previous NCT certificate (if applicable — the tester can look it up if you don't have it)
- Payment — card is accepted at all centres
You don't need to book the car in for a pre-NCT check at a garage first, but it's worth doing the basic checks yourself (see below).
Wait times in Galway and Connacht — book early
Test centres in Galway, Castlebar, and Roscommon typically run 6–8 week waits during the peak autumn period (September to November) when many summer-registered cars come due. Dublin centres often have shorter waits. If your NCT is coming up, don't leave the booking until the month it's due — book 6–8 weeks in advance.
How to prepare your car yourself
Most NCT failures are preventable with a 20-minute check the week before your test. These are the most common failure points.
Pre-NCT checklist
- →Tyres: Check tread depth across the full width of each tyre. The legal minimum is 1.6mm — test centres fail cars that are marginal. Check tyre pressure too.
- →Lights: Test every light — headlights (dipped and full beam), indicators (front and rear), brake lights, reversing light, and hazards. Get a helper for the brake lights.
- →Warning lights: Any warning light on the dashboard is a red flag. An engine management light will trigger a fail. Get it scanned at a garage first.
- →Wipers and washers: Wipers must clear the screen cleanly. Washer fluid must spray onto the screen. Worn wiper blades cost €10 to replace.
- →Horn: It must work. Simple, but testers check it.
- →Windscreen: Chips or cracks in the driver's direct line of sight are a fail. Chips elsewhere may be an advisory. Get chips filled before the test.
- →Seatbelts: All seatbelts must retract smoothly and lock under a sharp pull. Check all seats, not just the driver's.
What to do if you fail
Within 21 days: You can apply for a re-test on the same failed items only, at a reduced fee of €28 (half price). You must book this through ncts.ie and show your fail certificate. If you go back after 21 days, or if the re-test includes any new items, it's a full €55.
Appealing an NCT result: If you believe your car was wrongly failed, you can request an appeal through NCTS. They'll arrange a review at a different centre with a different tester. This is unusual but it's your right.
Expired NCT: It is illegal to drive a car with an expired NCT in Ireland. The exception is a direct journey to or from the test centre for the purpose of the test. Gardaí can check NCT status on the roadside — it's on the VRN database.
What the NCT does NOT test
People often assume the NCT is a full mechanical inspection. It isn't. The tester works from outside and underneath the car — they cannot open the bonnet in most cases and do not inspect:
- Engine internals (pistons, timing chain, cylinder head)
- Gearbox or clutch condition
- Air conditioning system
- Any component that requires disassembly to access
A car can pass its NCT and still have a failing engine or gearbox. If you're buying a used car, get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic — the NCT cert alone doesn't tell you the car is mechanically sound.
Where to book and find your nearest test centre
All NCT bookings are made at ncts.ie. The site has a test centre locator showing all 47 centres and their current availability. There is no phone booking option.
Parce doesn't yet have a verified network of NCT-registered repair garages. When we do, we'll list them by county. For now, if you need a mechanic to fix a fail item, use the SIMI member locator at simi.ie to find a registered garage near you.
When is my NCT due?
Enter your car's first registration month and year.
I'll let you know when the NCT rules or fees change. One email, no noise.
Common questions
When is my first NCT due?▾
Your car's first NCT is due when it turns 4 years old, measured from the month of first registration. So a car first registered in June 2021 had its first NCT due in June 2025. Use the calculator above to check your specific due date.
What does an advisory notice mean?▾
An advisory is a note on your NCT certificate flagging something that isn't bad enough to fail the car right now, but needs attention. The car passes — you can drive it away. Common advisories include slightly worn tyres (above the legal minimum but getting close), minor corrosion, or a small windscreen chip outside the critical zone. You're not legally required to fix an advisory, but you should address it before your next test.
Can I drive with an expired NCT?▾
No. Driving with an expired NCT is an offence under the Road Traffic Act. The only exception is driving directly to or from the test centre for the test itself. Gardaí can check NCT status at the roadside — it shows on the VRN database. If stopped, you can face a fixed penalty notice and penalty points.
How much does an NCT re-test cost?▾
If you re-test within 21 days on the exact items that failed, the re-test fee is €28. If you come back after 21 days, or if you need to add any new items to the test, it's a full €55. Book re-tests through ncts.ie — bring your original fail certificate.
What happens if I get a dangerous defect?▾
A dangerous defect means the car poses an immediate risk to road safety. You cannot drive it away from the test centre except with explicit permission from NCTS and only to get it repaired — not for normal driving. You'll need to fix the defect and return for a full re-test (not a discounted one).
Is an EV exempt from the NCT?▾
No — electric vehicles must pass the NCT. The test is adapted for EVs (no emissions test, different brake and electrical checks), but the requirement is the same: first test at 4 years, then on the standard schedule. The booking process at ncts.ie is identical.