Hundreds of people have been taking to social media to complain about the lengthy wait for an NCT in Ireland when booking online.
Experts on the matter responded, telling motorists that if they call their local NCT centre they will normally be able to arrange for a much earlier test date.
This is because officials only post around one-third of their available appointment times on their online platform.
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There have been many hacks appearing online, explaining to people how they can nab a quick appointment, and now an even lesser-known hack has arisen - how to get your NCT free-of-charge.
According to the experts at Money Guide Ireland, there is one common occurrence with drivers that actually allows you to avoid the €55 fee for the service.
Availing of your NCT for free is not a new thing, they revealed. It has been in the NCTS customer charter for several years, and although the clause was suspended during Covid, it was reactivated in October 2022.
According to the NCT customer charter you will be provided with a test, free of charge, where an appointment cannot be offered within a 28 day period, unless any of the following apply:
- the test is overdue by more than 7 days at the time of contacting us;
- an appointment was offered 7 days or more prior to the test due date;
- you have made specific requests regarding suitable days, times or dates;
- you have declined or rearranged two or more appointments;
- you have failed to attend an appointment; or
- you have previously accepted or requested an appointment outside of the 28 day period.
Money Guide Ireland went on to explain: “If you’re given an appointment which is at least a week before your due date – it doesn’t matter how many weeks away it is – you won’t get it for free.
“Also – the free test doesn’t apply if your NCT had expired by more than 7 days when you first contacted NCT.
“Don’t accept a booking date online or over the phone which is more than 4 weeks away – because then you will fail the criteria for getting the free test. If that is all they offer you – then point out that it must be free according to their charter.
“In 2015 NCTS had to do 81,000 tests for free because of delays – (according to the annual review by the RSA) – so don’t think it doesn’t happen”.
However, in 2022, no free tests were given.
“The NCT charter also says that customers are entitled to a free test if they have to wait more than 60 minutes after their appointment time before the test begins,” they said.
So as long as you arrive on time, “you will probably need to ask for a refund if this happens – the staff may not just offer it to you”.
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