NCT And DOE Test
Important things you should know
1 - Know The Dates
NCT And DOE Test is mandatory for cars more than three years old with cars aged between four and ten years old requiring testing every two years. Cars older than ten must undergo an annual test. With the average age of cars in the Irish fleet being 8.83 years it is likely your car will be tested every second year. Unlike Motor Tax however, National Car Testing Centres (NCTS) do not auto-notify you when your NCT is due to be renewed;you have to book the test yourself. This can be done up to 90 days before your certificate is due to expire.
2 - Clean The Car
Blackhorse Tyres will make sure that items to be tested are clean. The lights, windows, mirrors and registration plates in particular are clear and undamaged.
3 - Check Your Lights
Some modern cars make life difficult when it comes to replacing bulbs, but blown lights is an instant failure so there really is no excuse. With the engine running, all indicator bulbs are checked, dipped and high beam headlights checked, parking lights front and rear checked, lighting of the rear number plate checked, fog lights and brake lights checked. Blackhorse Tyres will adjust headlight alignment also.
4 - Top Up Fluids
Fluids are topped up properly and checked. That includes oil, engine coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid and windscreen wash.
5 - Don't Ignore Warning Signs.
The majority of cars that fail the NCT do so because of suspension issues. That knocking or pulling to the left you have been ignoring can be checked out by Blackhorse Tyres also. Likewise, if there are any illuminated warning lights on the dashboard it is time to visit Blackhorse Tyres. Warning lights for the likes of airbags are an instant failure while NCTS may not even conduct the test if the engine management light is showing.
6 - Inspect Your Tyres.
Since April 2010 all cars presenting for the NCT And DOE Test must have ‘E’ stamped tyres. These have been certified to comply with tyre safety certification standards. Blackhorse Tyres will enspect your tyres for damage or bulging and replace them if necessary. Tyres must be the same size across the front or back axles. The rear tyres can be a different size from the front but the ones on the front must match up. Tread depth must be checked also; the legal limit is 1.6mm depth across the middle of the tyre, but really, if they are that low, it is time to change them anyway.
7 - Final Car Checks.
Blackhorse Tyres will make sure that the wheel nuts are visible as the NCT And DOE Test demands this. Wipers are checked and blades can be replaced if necessary.
