More than 60,000 cars fail NCT

NATIONAL Car Test (NCT) mechanics are clamping down on old bangers with more than 60,000 pre-1992 registered cars failing the test this year.

Most cars failed because of problems with front suspensions, exhaust emissions and poor brakes.

Two thirds of the pre-1992 registered cars failed the first NCT, pushing up the failure rate for all cars by 9%. But most drivers fixed the faults identifiedand 88% of pre-1992 cars passed the retest.

The retests, at 27.30 each, cost these motorists approximately 1.6 million this year.

But for many motorists this is money well spent.

They use the first test to identify the problems with their car and then return to the garage to get them fixed.

"It's probably the most economical way. Otherwise, you wouldn't know what you'd have to fix," said Andrew Hegarty, director of Hegarty's Auto Services in Donegal.

Retests which do not require the use of test equipment are free.

The price of servicing a car for the test can vary dramatically.

"You'd know to look at some cars that it might cost a few thousand euro. But an older car that was looked after could be fixed for 100," Mr Hegarty said.

The boom in car sales has cut down the number of older cars on the road. Up to 150,000 new cars have been sold already this year. According to the Society of the Irish Motor Industry, the average age of an Irish car is 5.7 years.

The failure rates for newer cars are much lower 48% of 1992-96 registered cars and 62% of 1997-98 cars passed the NCT first time.

The NCT was introduced in 2000 to comply with an EU directive to improve road safety.

The National Safety Council says faulty vehicles are a contributory factor in just 1% of road accidents. The vast majority are caused by driver error.

"We have always welcomed the NCT. It certainly helps keep cars which are mechanically sound on the road. But the main cause of accidents is how the car is used by the driver," said the safety council's chief executive, Pat Costello.

NCT checks

Easy ways to fail the National Car Test:

Being more than 10 minutes late for the appointment.

Having the seat-belt anchors in the back hidden under the seats.

Not removing the wheel hubcaps.

Main reasons for pre-1992 cars failing the NCT:

Front suspension.

Damaged bodywork.

Faulty brake-lines and hoses.