NCT discontinue lift inspections (now with places with working lifts)

kerryjack

Joe never stood in an NCT centre in his life he thought there was a pit in the centre.

privateBeavis

jimbooth wrote: »

Ring the booking line, I just got mine back in for Feb 12

I just rang them about booking a retest and because I need lift said to ring back next Tues/Wed to make booking.

Emmersonn

Insurance will be valid
https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/insurers-will-not-add-to-inconvenience-of-partially-suspended-nct-tests-978679.html

tanko

dkd21 wrote: »

Every bulletin board or news site is strewn with emotional huff and guff comments about this topic . It looks to me they are trying to reduce the chances of a backlog (double the full test numbers) in the coming month(s) by allowing what possible parts of the full test to be carried out . Up North there is uproar about the complete cancellations of tests and they are looking into a backlog situation in the next coming months which will bring major complications... Seems as though you just cannot please the general public in instances like this and people throw logic out the window and become emotional wrecks.. I guess its part of this day and age

This mess isn't the fault of the "general public". It's the fault of the useless incompetent management of the NCT crowd who aren't up to the job.

mgbgt1978

Strawberry Milkshake wrote: »

It’s the insurance and law regarding driving that is concerning.

The t&cs on insurance state that you must have a valid nct.<snip>

Only with some Insurers. Others just insist that the vehicle must be roadworthy (but they will specify, if asked, that this does not include a current NCT).

degsie

Forking joke! Gov are insisting on car road worthiness but neglected to insist that the NCT test equipment be maintained. Very Irish!

elperello

Just watching Conor Faughnan of the AA on the news.

Basically just suck it up folks.

degsie

As customers, can we now insist on the production of an inspection report for the lifts, before they put our precious cars on them?

jprboy

Yesterday afternoon I booked a car in for a re-test on Feb 7. The lift issue later came to light and I subsequently received the following text:

"Sorry we must cancel your NCT retest which will be conducted free at a later date Please check the website for updates NCT apologise for any inconvenience"
Note: That's verbatim, not my punctuation

After listening to the news and various people who were interviewed about this, and also checking the NCT website, the general message was to still turn up and do the test regardless. There was no mention of anything different with regard to retests so today I went ahead and rebooked the retest for the exact same time and date as I did previously. Then this evening I received the same text cancelling my retest again!

So, it looks as the arrangements for retests is different. Anyone else experience similar? I'm going to contact the NCT for clarity and will post back here when I get a response.

jordata

Had NCT booked for Saturday 8th in Enniscorthy. Just got the following text:

Sorry we must cancel your NCT test which will be conducted free at a later date Please check the website for updates NCT apologise for any inconvenience

No more info regarding insurance or garda checks

Avns1s

jordata wrote: »

Had NCT booked for Saturday 8th in Enniscorthy. Just got the following text:

Sorry we must cancel your NCT test which will be conducted free at a later date Please check the website for updates NCT apologise for any inconvenience

No more info regarding insurance or garda checks

Full NCT or a retest?

Dravokivich

wonski wrote: »

Thread on the tires is measured before going up or when it is up, depends on the tester.

They do not have to use the lift to measure it so not sure what's your point.

When the cars were tested on the lift it was money rocket blah blah, now the cars can't be fully tested (for two days so far) and everyone is worried about their safety and safety of the kids.

Death traps everywhere lol.

Any test I've brought a car for, they only looked at them on the lift.

RioM

I booked a retest this morning. It will need an underbody lift. They gave me an appointment for Feb 17th ( I presumed they were giving themselves 2 weeks) Now I've got a text to say my test has been cancelled. The re test
needed to take place by Feb 20th. Anyone get anything similar?

Atlantic Dawn

Taxi's in trouble too...

The National Transport Authority has said it cannot lawfully issue new taxi licenses to drivers of vehicles that do not have a valid NCT.

It means that taxi drivers whose licenses are due to expire shortly and need to get their car tested as part of the renewal process, may not be able to renew their licence until problems with lifts in NCT centres are resolved.

According to the NTA around 100 vehicles nationwide may be impacted by the issue over the next two weeks.

"NTA is not lawfully in a position to grant a vehicle licence without proof of a valid NCT Certificate dated within 90 days of inspection," a spokesperson for the authority said tonight.

https://www.rte.ie/news/2020/0130/1112052-nct-taxi-drivers/

jprboy

Yes - I posted this in the "NCT discontinue lift inspections...." thread earlier:

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2058049771&page=11

Yesterday afternoon I booked a car in for a re-test on Feb 7. The lift issue later came to light and I subsequently received the following text:

"Sorry we must cancel your NCT retest which will be conducted free at a later date Please check the website for updates NCT apologise for any inconvenience"
Note: That's verbatim, not my punctuation

After listening to the news and various people who were interviewed about this, and also checking the NCT website, the general message was to still turn up and do the test regardless. There was no mention of anything different with regard to retests so today I went ahead and rebooked the retest for the exact same time and date as I did previously. Then this evening I received the same text cancelling my retest again!

So, it looks as the arrangements for retests is different. Anyone else experience similar? I'm going to contact the NCT for clarity and will post back here when I get a response.

zepman

Update from the NCT website https://www.ncts.ie/1115.

NCTS can confirm that a small number of lift inspections have recommenced on a restricted basis.

We are advised that the insurance industry will take a pragmatic view for policyholders and not penalise them for not having a valid NCT.

... motorists are being advised to keep a copy of their Vehicle Inspection Report with them in order to present it to a member of An Garda Síochána if required.

jmreire

Dravokivich wrote: »

Any test I've brought a car for, they only looked at them on the lift.

For a retest maybe ( rust, for example) they will put it on the lift to see if the repair's have been done, But for brakes, suspension#s etc, it will have to go on the lift and be connected to the equipment. It it was light's not working, they will just check it on the ground......no lift needed.

wonski

Dravokivich wrote: »

Any test I've brought a car for, they only looked at them on the lift.

For convenience and probably just routine task done daily as they can check condition of the whole tire, but thread depth can be checked on the ground. No lift needed for that.

mgbgt1978

jmreire wrote: »

For a retest maybe ( rust, for example) they will put it on the lift to see if the repair's have been done, But for brakes, suspension#s etc, it will have to go on the lift and be connected to the equipment. It it was light's not working, they will just check it on the ground......no lift needed.

He's only referring to Tyres....nothing else .

FishOnABike

zepman wrote: »

Update from the NCT website https://www.ncts.ie/1115.

Quote:
NCTS can confirm that a small number of lift inspections have recommenced on a restricted basis.

Quote:
We are advised that the insurance industry will take a pragmatic view for policyholders and not penalise them for not having a valid NCT.

Quote:
... motorists are being advised to keep a copy of their Vehicle Inspection Report with them in order to present it to a member of An Garda Síochána if required.

All very well but unless insurance contracts which currently require a valid NCT as a condition of cover are amended to remove this requirement these are just weasel words. If there was a multi million euro claim against a policy on a car which didn't have a current NCT we might find the true meaning of pragmatic. Some industry representative has no authority to unilaterally rewrite motor policies for all insurance companies in the motor insurance industry.

Similarly with the legal requirement to display a valid NCT disc, have and produce a valid NCT certificate on request. Unless there is amending legislation it is still a legal requirement. The RSA has no authority to declare that a blind eye will be turned to the law or that if you have a partial inspection report you'll be grand.

We've now seen that approx. 50 taxi drivers per week will not be able to renew their suitability test + licence without a valid NCT as the licencing authority cannot legally issue a licence without a valid NCT.

A situation where contractual requirements and/or the law can be ignored except where it can't, is unacceptably ambiguous.

The simplest solution is to issue a temporary NCT certificate and disc for vehicles which have passed all parts of the NCT not requiring the use of the lift. This should be issued to cover the expected duration of the lift problem and extended if the problem takes longer than expected to resolve. Anything less is a fudge.

Pythagorean

barneygumble99 wrote: »

How do you detect a hairline crack in steel before it appears??

Cracks are an issue in most stressed metal structures, aircraft bodies, rail wheels, etc. Usually they are not dangerous, if below a certain size, and if they do not grow, bearing in mind the level of stress that the component is subjected to. Most car lifts are massively over engineered, I can only surmise that the NCT are playing it safe, given the claims culture prevalent these days.

kirving

Pythagorean wrote: »

Cracks are an issue in most stressed metal structures, aircraft bodies, rail wheels, etc. Usually they are not dangerous, if below a certain size, and if they do not grow, bearing in mind the level of stress that the component is subjected to.

Most car lifts are massively over engineered, I can only surmise that the NCT are playing it safe, given the claims culture prevalent these days.

Fatigue is the reason that they appear to be over engineered. I'm using example figures here, and forgetting the effects of bad design creating stress concentration points.

Say the component is 100 times as strong as it needs to be, then fatigue basically not of concern until millions of stress cycles.

But if the component is only twice as strong as it need to be, then fatigue can set in after hundreds of cycles.

I'm happy to use DIY level wheel ramps when changing oil, since I only use them a few times a year, but I doubt they'd last more than few months in a working garage. (I always back up with axle stands of course.)

jmreire

mgbgt1978 wrote: »

He's only referring to Tyres....nothing else .

"Any test I've brought a car for, they only looked at them on the lift."
And this is the sentence I was replying to, mgbgt1978.....nothing else.:rolleyes:

wonski

jmreire wrote: »

"Any test I've brought a car for, they only looked at them on the lift."
And this is the sentence I was replying to, mgbgt1978.....nothing else.:rolleyes:

By "them" he meant tires as he was responding to my earlier post about thread depth checks

jmreire

wonski wrote: »

By "them" he meant tires as he was responding to my earlier post about thread depth checks

Ah, I did not see that post. All I have ever seen them check without having to put the vehicle on the lift were the lights, but I guess if it failed it on tyres, then that could be checked on the ground too. Costs €28 if it has to go on the lift for a retest.

fed_u

I have test next week, disc out a few days later! I've to take the morning off work, unpaid and I won't even be getting the NCT cert.. expecting people to go twice is a bit much. Surely a grace period would be a simple solution?

scannerd

yes just got the same text, was a re-test for emissions and sticking brake caliper booked this weekend, both sorted now. This is completely at odds with what is stated in the media about "go to your test anyway" and get a report which states "lift inspection not completed".

plus when booking I did not ask to be contacted by text, I selected email, but no email. i dont use that mobile much, phone is off most of the time, so just lucky i saw it.

every poor, will be complaining

scannerd

two versions on their web site, very confusing

the banner site states (they could take that down at anytime what back up would i have for a garda?)

"NCTS have made the decision to discontinue the use of vehicle inspection lifts across the NCTS network with immediate effect until a full condition survey of all lifts is completed. NCTS were recently made aware of a defect with a similar make and model of MAHA lift. Following that information, condition surveys have been instigated. All customers should continue to book and turn up for their NCT as normal unless they have been contacted by NCTS. The test will be completed with the omission of the underbody inspection, which will be conducted at a later date when the lifts are returned to use. Customers will incur no additional fees as part of this process. Our priority at this point and time is for the safety of our staff and our customer’s property. We do sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause."

but if you click on more information the news states

"Update 30th January 2020

NCTS are urging all customers to continue to book and turn up for their NCT as normal. The test will be completed with the omission of the underbody inspection, which will be conducted at a later date when the lifts are returned fully to use. NCTS can confirm that a small number of lift inspections have recommenced on a restricted basis.

Customers should note if a vehicle passes on lights, emissions, upper body exterior, vehicle interior, brakes, suspension and wheel alignment they will receive a vehicle inspection report stating “No Lift Inspection Done” resulting in a fail result. This no way implies the vehicle has failed on the items tested it just addresses the fact that no lift inspection was carried out. A certificate will be issued when all testable items have been successfully completed.

We are advised that the insurance industry will take a pragmatic view for policyholders and not penalise them for not having a valid NCT.

All vehicle owners are reminded that the roadworthiness of their vehicle is their responsibility at all times. In addition, motorists are being advised to keep a copy of their Vehicle Inspection Report with them in order to present it to a member of An Garda Síochána if required.

Further updates will be provided over the coming days"

cruizer101

fed_u wrote: »

I have test next week, disc out a few days later! I've to take the morning off work, unpaid and I won't even be getting the NCT cert.. expecting people to go twice is a bit much. Surely a grace period would be a simple solution?

You didn't have to take the morning off work, that was your choice. NCT's can be booked well in advance and are open plenty of time outside of working hours.
Its an inconvenience yes but nobody is being forced to take time off work because of this situation.

RioM

scannerd wrote: »

two versions on their web site, very confusing

the banner site states (they could take that down at anytime what back up would i have for a garda?)

"NCTS have made the decision to discontinue the use of vehicle inspection lifts across the NCTS network with immediate effect until a full condition survey of all lifts is completed. NCTS were recently made aware of a defect with a similar make and model of MAHA lift. Following that information, condition surveys have been instigated. All customers should continue to book and turn up for their NCT as normal unless they have been contacted by NCTS. The test will be completed with the omission of the underbody inspection, which will be conducted at a later date when the lifts are returned to use. Customers will incur no additional fees as part of this process. Our priority at this point and time is for the safety of our staff and our customer’s property. We do sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause."

but if you click on more information the news states

"Update 30th January 2020

NCTS are urging all customers to continue to book and turn up for their NCT as normal. The test will be completed with the omission of the underbody inspection, which will be conducted at a later date when the lifts are returned fully to use. NCTS can confirm that a small number of lift inspections have recommenced on a restricted basis.

Customers should note if a vehicle passes on lights, emissions, upper body exterior, vehicle interior, brakes, suspension and wheel alignment they will receive a vehicle inspection report stating “No Lift Inspection Done” resulting in a fail result. This no way implies the vehicle has failed on the items tested it just addresses the fact that no lift inspection was carried out. A certificate will be issued when all testable items have been successfully completed.

We are advised that the insurance industry will take a pragmatic view for policyholders and not penalise them for not having a valid NCT.

All vehicle owners are reminded that the roadworthiness of their vehicle is their responsibility at all times. In addition, motorists are being advised to keep a copy of their Vehicle Inspection Report with them in order to present it to a member of An Garda Síochána if required.

Further updates will be provided over the coming days"

I checked my email expecting more details too, as the booking confirmation went there.

I might call them in Monday if there's no more updates

AlfaZen

cruizer101 wrote: »

You didn't have to take the morning off work, that was your choice. NCT's can be booked well in advance and are open plenty of time outside of working hours.
Its an inconvenience yes but nobody is being forced to take time off work because of this situation.

True but, people are being forced to take on extra costs that they may not otherwise have incurred e.g. fuel and toll charges, child minders not to mention the possibility of invalid insurance should they be involved in an accident.

FDave

The biggest problems i see are if a personmgoes for their partial NCT and fail on headlight allignment will they get 28 days to retest and pay the retest fee, then a month later have to go back for the lift test and if they fail on a balljoint will thwy get another 28 days and retest fee to fix it. Cars will have to go for NCT up to 4 times and potentially pay a retest fee twice.

odyssey06

cruizer101 wrote: »

You didn't have to take the morning off work, that was your choice. NCT's can be booked well in advance and are open plenty of time outside of working hours.
Its an inconvenience yes but nobody is being forced to take time off work because of this situation.

Are you guaranteeing that there will be OOO retest slots available for those who have to go back for lift re-sits?
Source please.

degsie

Why is the burden placed on the general public when this 'issue' was totally avoidable by simple inspections of the lift equipment? All electro/mechanical are subject to fail but that is mitigated by inspection, maintenance and repair.

FishOnABike

FDave wrote: »

The biggest problems i see are if a personmgoes for their partial NCT and fail on headlight allignment will they get 28 days to retest and pay the retest fee, then a month later have to go back for the lift test and if they fail on a balljoint will thwy get another 28 days and retest fee to fix it. Cars will have to go for NCT up to 4 times and potentially pay a retest fee twice.

I think the fairest way to deal with this would be to only charge one restet fee whether it arises from something in the first test or from the subsequent inspection on the lift.

If you're lucky and the lifts are back working before your retest and everything passes there will have been no extra time off or journey needed. As you've pointed out, worst case could involve two extra journeys to the test centre. i can't see the NCTS tripping over themselves to compensate people for the extra trouble + expense.

bladespin

cruizer101 wrote: »

You didn't have to take the morning off work, that was your choice. NCT's can be booked well in advance and are open plenty of time outside of working hours.
Its an inconvenience yes but nobody is being forced to take time off work because of this situation.

Outside/inside working hours there's still a cost and inconvenience being shoved on those who aren't responsible.

The old adage: a poor workman blames his tools, an even poorer worker blames his tools and passes the blame to someone else, it's utterly daft that this situation could come about.

jeffk

Reply from email, Ill send one back about time and cost of retest etc

Many thanks for your recent e-mail. Firstly, we do sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this matter has caused. At this time, we must prioritise the safety of our staff and also our customer’s property.

You should continue to book and turn up for your NCT Inspection as normal. The test will be completed with the omission of the underbody inspection, which will be conducted at a later date when the lifts are returned to use. All other elements of the test including lights, emissions, upper body exterior, vehicle interior, brakes, suspension and wheel alignment will be tested in the normal manner. The Vehicle Inspection Report will be issued at the time of testing and a certificate will be issued when all stages of the rest have been successfully completed.

The RSA have made the Gardaí aware of the issue and is liaising with them on any potential issues arising. All vehicle owners are reminded that the roadworthiness of their vehicle is their responsibility at all times not just on the day of their NCT.

Our advice to motorists is:

· Book your NCT as normal
· Organise for your vehicle to be serviced and checked by a reputable repair organisation as normal
·Ensure that you carry proof of servicing of your vehicle at all times
· Present your vehicle for the NCT where you will be provided with a Vehicle Inspection Report
· Ensure that you carry proof of that Vehicle Inspection Report in your vehicle
· Represent your vehicle for the underbody inspection when advised to receive your full NCT Certificate

honda boi

I'd love to know will the Garda be taken cars of people now without nct because now it's impossible to get an nct.

elperello

honda boi wrote: »

I'd love to know will the Garda be taken cars of people now without nct because now it's impossible to get an nct.

Still nothing on AGS website.

FishOnABike

elperello wrote: »

Still nothing on AGS website.

I'd doubt they can officially state that they will turn a blind eye to the law.

The most effective solution is to issue temporary NCT certificates and discs for any vehicle passing the non-lift part of the NCT. It's far more straightforward than trying to patch up all the potential knock on effects of not having a valid NCT.

There should be a much stronger than currently visible push back on the government and minister for transport, tourism and sport to put an effective remedy in place.

elperello

FishOnABike wrote: »

I'd doubt they can officially state that they will turn a blind eye to the law.

The most effective solution is to issue temporary NCT certificates and discs for any vehicle passing the non-lift part of the NCT. It's far more straightforward than trying to patch up all the potential knock on effects of not having a valid NCT.

There should be a much stronger than currently visible push back on the government and minister for transport, tourism and sport to put an effective remedy in place.

Still when you have the NCT boss Henderson giving the nod and wink that's nearly worse.

Yes a full cert or nothing until this is sorted out.

Mr Ross is too busy down the back of the sofa finding a few bob for the FAI and the photo op. to bother about motorists.

jeffk

RioM wrote: »

I checked my email expecting more details too, as the booking confirmation went there.

I might call them in Monday if there's no more updates

Well i sent one myself to see, herself has to take time off work a then go from Navan to Kells so wanted to see what they said

Yakuza

Minor issue, but I wonder what date will go on the final cert when it's issued? The date of the partial inspection, or that of the one with the lift?

wonski

Yakuza wrote: »

Minor issue, but I wonder what date will go on the final cert when it's issued? The date of the partial inspection, or that of the one with the lift?

The date it was issued obviously.

They say some lifts are working now, but no solid numbers yet.

Hopefully it will be all over in a week or two.

elperello

Yakuza wrote: »

Minor issue, but I wonder what date will go on the final cert when it's issued? The date of the partial inspection, or that of the one with the lift?

The date for the next test won't change.

It will be the anniversary of the car's registration or if the car has been tested early in the past the anniversary of that test.

I think the testing date will be the date of the final test with lift because that's the date the full cert. will be issued.

degsie

Yakuza wrote: »

Minor issue, but I wonder what date will go on the final cert when it's issued? The date of the partial inspection, or that of the one with the lift?

Which one do you think? Certainly won't go in your favour :rolleyes:

silver2020

AlfaZen wrote: »

True but, people are being forced to take on extra costs that they may not otherwise have incurred e.g. fuel and toll charges, child minders not to mention the possibility of invalid insurance should they be involved in an accident.

ah bless, what a hardship.

I was at the funeral of the 3 children earlier today - you may rethink what a problem and inconvenience is.

Trampas

How ironic that the company who test for defects are using defective equipment

elperello

silver2020 wrote: »

ah bless, what a hardship.

I was at the funeral of the 3 children earlier today - you may rethink what a problem and inconvenience is.

Sorry for your trouble.
That was an awful tragedy.

wonski

Trampas wrote: »

How ironic that the company who test for defects are using defective equipment

They are actually not using potentially defective equipment

And that's the issue.

My gp appointment was cancelled once because the gp was ill. Unacceptable