NCT Backlog.

[kadman]

My car was due for its NCT way back in Nov 2021. But between a heart attack, hospitalization on 2 occasions for 2 stent procedures, that pushed the test to the back burner.
So recovered now and the car is all good and ready for a test, I tried to book one today.
Shock/horror much to my dismay there is a 3 month backlog at my local NCT centre. The last week in May was the earliest.

Not what I expected or wanted, so I need some way of getting a cancellation, if any. I am not on any public service route and 20 km from my hospital, so this backlog is not a good thing for me.

[490808]

Isn't there some guarantee that you can get one within 4 weeks or you get a free test?

You have to phone up and push for it to get that sorted or at least that's how it used to work? I'm sure I played that card a few years back?

Failing that iirc you may find that cancellations are added to the online booking system at the same time each night. Think it was 9 or 10 pm (I think I posted about it on the other site) but that's how I get my bookings. Normally takes 2-3 evenings of checking at that time to get a booking within a week or so.

[765489]

My car was due for its NCT way back in Nov 2021. But between a heart attack, hospitalization on 2 occasions for 2 stent procedures, that pushed the test to the back burner.
So recovered now and the car is all good and ready for a test, I tried to book one today.
Shock/horror much to my dismay there is a 3 month backlog at my local NCT centre. The last week in May was the earliest.

Not what I expected or wanted, so I need some way of getting a cancellation, if any. I am not on any public service route and 20 km from my hospital, so this backlog is not a good thing for me.

Know any local second hand car dealers Kadman ? Fella that keeps a couple of cars in my yard seems to be able to get cars NCT'D whenever he has to at short notice.

[Hairy-Joe]

Thanks for reminding me. Mine is due in April and I was thinking I had loads of time

[kadman]

Isn't there some guarantee that you can get one within 4 weeks or you get a free test?

You have to phone up and push for it to get that sorted or at least that's how it used to work? I'm sure I played that card a few years back?

Failing that iirc you may find that cancellations are added to the online booking system at the same time each night. Think it was 9 or 10 pm (I think I posted about it on the other site) but that's how I get my bookings. Normally takes 2-3 evenings of checking at that time to get a booking within a week or so.

I must check that out. Now that you mention it I remember that free test thing. I must check that too

[kadman]

Just spent the last 45 minutes going through every nct listing on their website. The nearest date I can get anywhere was May 23rd, Mullingar.
I checked portlaoise and there was one for Saturday 27th February, this weekend. I thought great, and booked in for the appointment, someone pipped me at the post. And the new date on Portlaoise was set for 23rd May

[490808]

Just spent the last 45 minutes going through every nct listing on their website. The nearest date I can get anywhere was May 23rd, Mullingar.
I checked portlaoise and there was one for Saturday 27th February, this weekend. I thought great, and booked in for the appointment, someone pipped me at the post. And the new date on Portlaoise was set for 23rd May

Try that a few more times you should get one nearer home and a better date sooner or later.

[kadman]

Still trying.

[765489]

Reminds me of in the job someone was trying to get tickets to U2 off ticketmaster. She had about 10 people in the office ready and refreshing the site. Maybe we could rally the users of Gubu to get poor Kadman his NCT slot

[kadman]

Reminds me of in the job someone was trying to get tickets to U2 off ticketmaster. She had about 10 people in the office ready and refreshing the site. Maybe we could rally the users of Gubu to get poor Kadman his NCT slot

It would be all the worse if we were still on dial up

[490808]

Still trying.

What I mean is other nights. Once you have watched and tried a couple of nights you'll see what time the cancelled slots come on line so won't need to waste too much time checking.

[kadman]

What I mean is other nights. Once you have watched and tried a couple of nights you'll see what time the cancelled slots come on line so won't need to waste too much time checking.

Its always going to be a hit and miss affair no matter how i go about it. I made an online e mail booking for a priority NCT test.
They said they would contact me in two weeks to arrange one

[kadman]

Magic.

I kept checking and re checking, and refreshing. And at 11.40 the Feb 27 slot came up a gain.
I successfully booked for Sunday morning at 10.55

Woo Hoo.

[kadman]

Great job there CO, thanks for the tip. Perseverance paid off

[Hairy-Joe]

Thanks for reminding me. Mine is due in April and I was thinking I had loads of time

Reporting back, I've long fingered this again......

[Hairy-Joe]

Well, I finally got off my ar$e and went to book the NCT. The earliest date I could get was 02-AUG!!!!

It may be something to due with the extra time added to everyone's NCT due to the pandemic. The disc on the windows says due April but the website says due Aug.

Ah well, time for the long finger again!

[Scotty]

Well, I finally got off my ar$e and went to book the NCT. The earliest date I could get was 02-AUG!!!!

It may be something to due with the extra time added to everyone's NCT due to the pandemic. The disc on the windows says due April but the website says due Aug.

Ah well, time for the long finger again!

Keep checking, cancellations appear up all the time. It may not be your first choice centre but you'll certainly pick one up within a day or two.

[kadman]

Cancellations come up on the NCT website between 9.30 and 12 at night. And its an instantaneous refresh.
I checked constantly over the couple of hours, and all were flagged at 3 months away.
Seconds later I got a cancellation for a day later.

[BrianD3]

I'm a goody two shoes who starts thinking about the NCT three months before the expiry date and have usually managed to get a new cert by the expiry date or often well before it.

Check NCT booking site, if no suitable slot check again the next day and the next. Chances are you'll get a suitable slot within a day or two.

[quodec]

As an alternative to online booking, I’ve used the following NCT phone number, with great success, over the years: 01-4135992

[Hairy-Joe]

I'm going to hold off. The website says that the NCT is due in Aug as opposed to April on the disc. I've a strong motive for pushing it back as far as I can.

[Scotty]

IThe website says that the NCT is due in Aug as opposed to April on the disc.

They all got a 4 month extension due to Covid delays.

[kadman]

Backlog increases with the nct. Trying to get a test online last nite, and the nearest test date was October 4th. Mine is out on May 17th.
So i persevered with constant refreshes online at 12.15 a.m. And managed to get one for 21 st May. Not bad,
because I was pipped at the post on 2 other dates.

So my advice if you have a test coming anytime in the next 5-6 weeks, get booking now.

[nlgbbbblth]

Mine was due 15 May
Checked website 31 March - no appointments until August
Rang NCT number - they said they would put me on a list
Got text 2 days letter with test date of 23 April. Passed it.

[kadman]

I cant understand why the backlog is increasing month on month. They are testing 7 days a week now , but it seems to make no difference.