Little Known Car Issue That Could Result In A Failed NCT And €5,000 Fine

Customised or specialist number plates are often illegal and Revenue have issued a fine warning

NCT testers have issued a warning on the little-known issues with your registration plate that could lead to a failed test.

They posted: “Issues with number plates can often result in an NCT visual fail. Make sure that your number plates are displayed correctly; not damaged; clean and can be easily read and in the correct font, size and character spaces.”

Customised or specialist number plates are often illegal. Revenue warns that “there is a very specific format and size for the registration plates,” adding, “it is illegal to display plates on a vehicle that do not comply with the law.

“You could be fined up to €5,000 if you display plates that do not meet the required standards,” Revenue says.

NCT Ireland also recently revealed a number of other little known visual reasons your car could fail the NCT.

The NCT says: “Taking a few minutes to check some of the visual items below and ensuring they are all working in advance of your NCT could potentially save you valuable time and money.”

One of the more obscure items that you could easily forget to check is the little bulbs on your registration plates. It is a legal requirement that your registration is visible at all times and if these bulbs aren’t working, it cannot be seen at night.

Your car could fail its NCT if its registration plate lamps are “not working, faulty or not fitted; not white in colour; or if the lens is missing or broken.” You can check these bulbs by turning your car on and checking the bulbs are on front and rear before the test.

You can see the full NCT visual checklist below:

You can see the full NCT visual checklist below:

Windscreen Wipers and Washers

Reasons for failure:

Missing

Not cleaning windscreen effectively

Wiped areas less than sufficient to give the driver an adequate view

Washer, not working, no water or incorrectly aimed

Seat Belts

Reasons for failure:

Belts cut, badly frayed or repaired

Belts not operating properly

Tyre Condition

Reasons for failure:

Tread worn, distorted or damaged

tread depth of less than 1.6mm

Incorrectly seated on wheel rim

Valve Damaged

Registration Plate Lamps

Reasons for failure:

Not working, faulty or not fitted

Not white in colour.

Lens missing or broken.

Stop Lamps

Reasons for failure:

Missing or not clearly visible.

Not working or faulty.

Not brighter than tail lights.

Not red in colour

Insecurely mounted

Contains water/moisture

Lens missing or broken

Switch does not operate correctly

Indicator/Tell Tales

Reasons for failure:

Missing, not working or faulty

Insecurely mounted

Lens broken or missing

Contains water/moisture

Not amber in colour

Horn

Reasons for failure:

Control insecure

Horn insecurely mounted

Not working correctly

Not working or not fitted

Registration Plates Front and Rear

Reasons for failure:

One or both plates missing, insecure or not clearly visible.

Numbers or letters missing or illegible or incorrect size

Numbers, letter or background of incorrect colour

Side Lamps

Reasons for failure:

Missing or not clearly visible.

Not working or faulty.

Not white in colour

Insecurely mounted

Contains water/moisture

Lens missing or broken

(Source – Donegal Democrat / Donegal Live – News – Justin Kelly – 11/09/2024)