Extending NCT test for new cars by two years would help sort out backlog, says TD

Extending the requirement for new cars to complete the National Car Test (NCT) by an additional two years would enable the NCT Service to concentrate on sorting out the current backlogs facing motorists, a Fine Gael TD has said.

TD for Dublin South West, Colm Brophy is calling on the Government to extend the first test deadline for new cars from the current four years to six years.

“This would remove cars due their first test in 2023 and those due their first test in 2024 out of the testing system, allowing the NCT to concentrate on older vehicles,” he said.

“At the same time the NCT operator must solve the problems of providing the service efficiently or else their contract should be terminated.

“This solution could be implemented for cars due for their first time test this year and next year and would give NCT time and space to deliver on their contractual agreements.

‘This should be done, not to facilitate the NCT operator, but to facilitate motorists who are finding it almost impossible to successfully book an appointment with the NCT currently.

“There were 117,000 cars sold in the Republic of Ireland in 2019 and 88,000 sold in 2020.

“Each one of these cars is now due its NCT in 2023 and 2024.

“Removing these would free up over 200,000 appointments, significantly impacting on waiting times, which now stand at over 20 weeks.” Deputy Brophy continued.

“These long waiting times present a real danger to motorists and are a source of huge frustration. A common sense approach is what’s required now to consider how this backlog can be shifted to make tests available to those who need them most.”