The use of vehicle inspection scissor lifts across 47 NCT centres has been suspended with immediate effect.
The National Car Testing Service (NCTS) have announced that they will be temporarily discontinuing the use of vehicle inspection scissor lifts across the entire NCTS network of centres.
As a result, motorists will require two visits to an NCT centre to complete an NCT test on their vehicle. 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. Motorists will incur no additional fees as part of this process.
This suspension of the operation of the lifts comes into effect immediately and will remain in place until a full survey of all of scissor lifts has been performed.
A previous survey discovered that there may be a potentially defective component in over 100 NCTS car lifts across all of 47 centres in the Republic of Ireland, and all lifts are set to be replaced in June of this year.
The lifts allow NCTS staff to test and work on the underbody of the car, and the fault could present a safety issue for staff, as well as the customer's property.
In a statement on the issue, NCTS said:
"Vehicle Inspection report will be issued at the time of testing and a certificate will be issued when all stages of the test have been successfully completed."
If motorists are stopped by the Gardaí and don't have a valid NCT displayed because of this issue, the NCTS have stated the following: "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 at the NCT."
The statement in full and a number of questions and answers on the issue can be read in full
here.
