Before you take your vehicle for its annual NCT test, M3 Van Centre recommends that we carry out a number of quick and easy checks to give your car or van the best chance of passing the test – saving you time and money!
Many vehicles fail their NCT due to simple things such as faulty bulbs, too little tyre tread, or even empty windscreen washer fluid bottles. It’s possible to anticipate most of these issues with a quick check of your vehicle.
If we do find any faults we can normally easily rectify them in time for your test, you should try to bring your vehicle to us a few days in advance so they we can complete any work that might be required before the test is carried out.
Our free NCT 10 point pre test check covers the common faults, meaning your car or van will be far more likely to pass first time around.
- Headlights and indicators
Check that all of your car’s lights function properly – headlights, sidelights, rear lights, hazard lights and indicators.
- Brake lights
Check that the brake lights are functioning properly and that all bulbs are in good working order.
- Number plate
Ensure number plate is clean and legible. The font and spacing of letters must also comply with legal requirements to be passed by the NCT centre.
- Wheels and tyres
Check that wheels and tyres are undamaged. The minimum legal tyre tread depth is 1.6mm and any tyres with less than this will be marked as an NCT ‘fail’ (though it’s recommended that tyres are changed when tread reaches 3mm).
- Seats and seatbelts
The driver’s seat should adjust forwards and backwards and all seatbelts should be in good, working order. Test movement of the seat and inspect the seatbelt’s full length for damage. Tug sharply on all seatbelts to check that they react as they’re supposed to if you have to brake severely.
- Windscreen
Check the view out of the front of the car for damage – any damage larger than 40mm will cause a ‘fail’, as will any damage wider than 10mm in the ‘swept’ area of the windscreen in front of the driver.
- Windscreen wipers
Make sure your wipers are able to keep your windscreen clean – any tears or holes in the wiper rubber can be an NCT fail.
- Screenwash
Top up the washer bottle – something as simple as an empty container can cause an NCT fail.
- Horn
Ensure it works and disengages properly
- Fuel and engine oil
Ensure your car is filled with enough fuel and engine oil – you can be turned away from the NCT centre without suitable levels of either, both of which are required by the test centre when running the car to test its emissions levels.
