The fail that is not in the ad
A seller who fails the NCT has 30 days to fix the car and bring it back. Some do not bother: the certificate still runs for a few months, the car goes up for sale as “NCT till March”, and the inspection report stays in a drawer. The third box above tells you if that happened in the last 30 days, and on what day. Then you know what to ask for.
Frequently asked
What does the check show?
Make, model and colour, the date the motor tax runs out, the tax class and yearly rate, the date the NCT runs out, and whether the car failed an NCT in the last 30 days, with the date.
Where do the dates come from?
Motor tax and NCT dates are what the public vehicle check run by the Department of Transport at vehicleservices.gov.ie shows for that registration. Anyone can look a car up there; we show the same answer.
Can you tell me why the car failed?
No. Nothing public says what failed. The only record is the inspection report NCTS hands the person who brought the car in. If the check shows an open re-test, ask the seller for that report before you agree a price.
The check found no failed NCT. Does that mean it never failed?
It means none in the last 30 days. An NCT that ran out months ago and was never renewed is worth a question on its own.
The motor tax has expired. Is that my problem?
It is a question for the seller: either the car is being driven untaxed, or it was declared off the road. A vehicle declared off the road shows that on the check. Either way, the car has to be taxed before you drive it.
Is this a history check?
No. Mileage, previous owners, finance and write-offs are not in it. This is the quick, free look at the two dates every buyer needs and the one thing sellers sometimes leave out: a fresh fail.
Is this the official check?
No. NCT Alerts is independent and run by Avlas Digital. The official vehicle check is at vehicleservices.gov.ie. We show what it shows, add the recent-fail check, and help you get an earlier test date if you need one.
Buying it anyway and the NCT is due? Set up cancellation alerts for the new car, or check the due date and the 90-day window.