MOT test failure rates highlight North-South divide in Ireland

Northern Ireland sees far fewer first-time failures compared to the Republic

MOT test failure rates highlight North-South divide in Ireland

A significant difference in first-time MOT test failure rates has been highlighted between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, with a DUP MLA calling the disparity “shocking.”

According to information from a Department for Infrastructure (DfI) meeting, the pass rate for a car’s first test is 82% in Northern Ireland. In contrast, the pass rate in the Republic of Ireland, which uses the National Car Test (NCT), is only 52%. This creates a 30-percentage-point difference between the two jurisdictions.

The most common reasons for test failures in the Republic include defects with lights, tyres, suspension, and brakes. The DfI noted that the first MOT test is required for vehicles that are four years old in Northern Ireland, while in the Republic, the first NCT is for vehicles four years old.

Despite the high failure rate in the South, a DfI spokesperson emphasised that human error remains the primary cause of traffic accidents, with mechanical failure accounting for less than 1% of cases. The spokesperson stressed that vehicle owners are responsible for keeping their cars in a roadworthy condition.

Addressing the long-standing issue of MOT test backlogs in Northern Ireland, the DfI reported a significant improvement. Waiting times for appointments have dropped from approximately 100 days to a maximum of 30 days. This has been helped by a record year for the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) and the upcoming opening of two new test centres in Hydebank and Mallusk, which will increase testing capacity by 200,000 annually.

Source: Belfast Telegraph

1 Comment

  1. However, having prepared vehicles, both for MOT in Northern Ireland & NCT in the Republic of Ireland, I’m not surprised by the above pass rates.

    In Northern Ireland, the actual MOT inspection is completed too quickly.

    Full MOT tests, for cars & light vehicles, are completed in as little as 10 minutes. That’s from the moment you step out of the vehicle, until the moment the tester hands it back to you.

    The vehicles are not checked thoroughly enough. And the MOT testers don’t bother recording advisory items (minor faults) on the test certificate.

    They will only record minor fault(s), if the vehicle actually fails MOT on another issue ie. Major / dangerous fault(s)

    Conversely, the NCT test, in the Republic of Ireland, will list all defects on the test certificate, no matter how insignificant.

    The NCT tester will fail a vehicle if you don’t remove the hubcaps, as the wheel nuts have to be visible.

    Similarly, NCT testers will mark down an advisory if a car’s tyre is over 6 years old.

    The NCT test is much more fussy, when compared with MOTs carried out in Northern Ireland.

    Both of these tests are carried out by independent test centres, who don’t carry out repairs.

    Reply

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