NCT criteria changes required to reduce backlog – Pat Buckley TD

Sinn Féin TD for Cork East, Pat Buckley TD, has called on the Minister for Transport to carry out a review into the NCT system as the long delays that people are experiencing are causing havoc across the country. The Deputy’s calls come as figures for Cork show just over a 22 week wait for those applying for their NCT. 

Teachta Buckley said:

“The system is under real stress and consideration needs to be given to extending the time between tests by allowing the test time to run from when the car is tested rather than from when it falls due. At present many cars are only a few months in test when the next test becomes due because of the long delays.

“The NCT system was introduced to conform with an EU directive that sought to set standards of road worthiness and control emissions right across all EU member states.

“When a new car reaches four years old it has its first test and then every two years until its tenth birthday, after which it is an annual test. Pandemic restrictions meant that all these tests were postponed which caused a long backlog.  

“We also have the additional issue where there has been a notable increase in the number of older cars being kept on the road as second-hand cars are scarce and more expensive.

“As the system struggles to catch up, there are now delays of just over 22 weeks to get an NCT here in Cork.

“Sinn Féin’s communications and transport spokesperson Martin Kenny TD has suggested that the Minister should consider changing the testing time criteria from the same month every year, to a year from when the test is completed.  Consideration must also be given to temporarily allowing an extra year before new cars would be required to have the first NCT.

“That would certainly go some way to reducing the huge wait time faced by people in Cork. 

“The additional staffing at NCT centres and longer operating hours are welcome and will help, but the backlog is being compounded by more older cars falling due faster.

“An intervention in the system will be required to get it under control, and Sinn Féin have solutions.”