3,000 cars unfit for road, says NCT

More than 3,000 cars undergoing the NCT in the first half of this year were deemed unfit for the road, figures show. A total of 822,001 vehicles were tested from January to June 2016.

Of those, 429,915 (52.3%) failed the test with a further 3,286 (0.4%) given ‘failed- dangerous’ stickers.

Some 388,800 (47.3%) vehicles passed the test. The half-year results published by NCT operator Applus show of the 424,930 vehicles that were later retested, 385,111 (90.7%) passed second time round.

Some 39,203 (9.2%) failed again while 616 (0.1%) vehicles were again deemed too dangerous to drive out of the test centre.

Among the faults that can lead to a ‘failed-dangerous’ result are seriously bald tyres as well as brake fluid and fuel hose leaks. The NCT figures for the first half of 2016 continue a rising trend of more cars failing than passing the roadworthiness test.

Cars going through the test this year are 2008, 2010, 2012 and 10 years and older.

Faulty brake lines and hoses are consistently among the most common fail items for vehicles. Figures from the Road Safety Authority show there were almost 86,000 fails for brake lines and hoses last year.