The RSA Calls For Proactive Vehicle Maintenance
The Road Safety Authority has called on vehicle owners to embrace year-round responsibility for maintaining their cars, rather than relying on the National Car Test to identify faults. Customer satisfaction surveys have continuously highlighted the disappointing culture of vehicle owners using the NCT as a diagnostic tool, contributing to inefficiencies in the system and increasing risks to road safety.
NCT: A Roadworthiness Test, Not a Diagnostic Service
The NCT is designed to ensure vehicles on the road are roadworthy and safe at a point in time when the test is undertaken. However, many vehicle owners are presenting their cars for testing without addressing known maintenance issues. The Service tested over 1.7 million vehicles in 2024 - an increase of 144,000 vehicles compared to 2023. To ensure that the growing demand is met, it is important that well-maintained vehicles are presented for testing.
"Maintaining your vehicle is a year-round responsibility. We use our vehicles for work and to transport our families, so ensuring our vehicles are maintained to a high standard should be a year-round focus not something to focus on only before your NCT," said Brendan Walsh, Chief Operations Officer with the RSA.
"Regular upkeep ensures your car is safe, roadworthy, and operating efficiently at all times. Proactively addressing known issues before your test improves your chances of passing and helps the NCT system operate more efficiently, freeing up capacity for others."
Increase in "Fail Dangerous" Results: A Cause for Concern
In 2024, 7.4% of vehicles received a "Fail Dangerous" result following the NCT, up from 6.9% in 2023. This concerning increase poses a direct and immediate risk to road safety. It is an offence to drive a vehicle with dangerous defects on public roads.
Tyres are the leading cause of "Fail Dangerous" results, often due to tread depths below the legal limit of 1.6mm. Other significant causes include issues with the chassis/underbody and brake lines/hoses. The RSA reminds vehicle owners of the critical importance of regularly checking and maintaining these components to avoid serious safety risks.
What Happens When a Vehicle receives a ‘Fail Dangerous’ test result?
Vehicles that receive a "Fail Dangerous" result are subject to the following actions:
· A "Failed Dangerous" sticker is affixed to the vehicle, with legal information provided on the reverse.
· Vehicle owners are advised verbally and in writing not to drive the vehicle until the defects are repaired.
· The vehicle’s details are shared with the National Vehicle and Driver File (NDVF) and the Gardaí, who have direct access to this information for enforcement purposes.
For more information on vehicle maintenance and road safety please visit www.rsa.ie
