Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 548: To ask the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if there is a checklist for the public to pre-ascertain the roadworthiness of their vehicle in advance of scheduled national car test; if his attention has been drawn to the growing public concern regarding the NCT testing process with more persons highlighting NCT failures that do not stand-up when re-referred to the vehicles service garage or mechanic in preparation for second presentation to the NCT process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17095/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority has responsibility for the delivery of the National Car Test.

The RSA has overall responsibility for the operation, oversight, development, quality assurance and delivery of vehicle testing arrangements. The testing function is carried out by Applus+, since January 2010, under a contractual arrangement with the RSA. Award of the contract for carrying out the NCT and the criteria applying thereto is a matter for the RSA.

The NCT Contractor provides a leaflet to customers containing advice on preparing for the NCT. This leaflet and the five most common causes for failure in the previous year are available on the NCT website www.ncts.ie The NCT Manual which sets out full details of the test requirements is available to download from the NCTS website or at www.rsa.ie

In 2010 less than 0.1% of tests received a complaint and customer service surveys undertaken this year shows that over 83% of respondents expressed satisfaction with the service.

A person who is of the view that they were incorrectly refused an NCT certificate has the right to appeal the decision. The NCT grievance process consists of 3 stages; through the NCTS internal appeals process, through the independent appeals procedure operated by the Automobile Association (AA) and lastly by appeal to the District Court. In 2010 the independent appeals board received 21 appeals in relation to the test outcome of the 893,000 tests that were completed by NCTS. Seventeen of these appeals were rejected with 4 being upheld.

Should the Deputy have information or concern regarding vehicles that failed the NCT, details of the vehicles, including registration numbers, should be forwarded to the RSA which will arrange to have the issues investigated.