While we don't verify specific claims because reviewers' opinions are their own, we may label reviews as "Verified" when we can confirm a business interaction took place. Read more

To protect platform integrity, every review on our platform—verified or not—is screened by our 24/7 automated software. This technology is designed to identify and remove content that breaches our guidelines, including reviews that are not based on a genuine experience. We recognise we may not catch everything, and you can flag anything you think we may have missed. Read more

Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Looking at 32 reviews, most reviewers were unhappy with their experience overall. Customers frequently complained about rude staff members and unhelpful customer service encountered during their visits. Many visitors also highlighted deep frustration regarding high testing fees, unexpected vehicle failures, and overall poor treatment at the centers. Some reviewers were happy with the service, describing specific workers as polite, welcoming, and extremely helpful during stressful moments. Other consumers deeply appreciated when staff members went out of their way to ensure a smooth, efficient, and pleasant testing process. These visitors found the team professional, noting that friendly interactions completely turned their appointment around.

What people talk about most

Staff

Reviewers highlight ambiguous aspects of staff, reporting a wide divergence in customer service experiences.... See more

Service

Customers consistently note ambiguous experiences with service. While some reviewers report exceptional... See more

Location

Consumers find location experiences to be ambiguous and varied across different testing centres. Reviewers... See more

Customer service

Reviewers express strong dissatisfaction and frustration regarding customer service. Consumers frequently... See more

Price

Clients share negative opinions on price, describing unexpected costs as excessive. Reviewers frequently... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Noting great about my experience with nct, 40 euro re test for visual check ! Need to follow the model of the uk, if a car fails nct it is not insured and should not be let back on the road, h... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I did the NCT with my car 2 times in between 3 days. The first one failed because the offside lights warn lining up. 2 days later I did the same test but the offsides lights were working but the near... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Dip beam too high nct at nenagh. Failed report. This literally is a joke paying 60 euros to fail on something so small and then another 40 euros for a retest. This scam needs to be reviewed. Like wh... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

No respect for customers cars. I observed a non Irish person JG violently hammering a screwdriver under an older car in northpoint 1 while waiting for my car,then he failed the car for corrosion.


2.4

Poor

TrustScore 2.5 out of 5

114 reviews

5-star
4-star
3-star
2-star
1-star

No history of asking for reviews

This company hasn't invited their customers, so reviews may not be representative

How this company uses Trustpilot

See how their reviews and ratings are sourced, scored, and moderated.

2.4

All reviews

(114)

31 reviews in the last 12 months

Write a review
Companies on Trustpilot aren't allowed to offer incentives or pay to hide reviews. Reviews are the opinions of individual users and not of Trustpilot. Read more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Donegal NCTs are a Farse

I applied to have my NCT test in Carndonagh and organised an Annual leave day to only be told that my appointmemnt could no longer be satisified at 830 am by text which was supposed to be at 4pm.

then i couldnt get a rescheduled appt in donegal for approx 3 weeks.

When i eventually got my car to the test centre thre was 2 failures of which one was a headlight and the other was a seatbelt.

The head light is anlaysed by machine so i accept this but the visual of a seat belt that the over zealous assessor claimed was "frayed" was ridiculous and as it was noted on the NCT test has now resulted in a repair cost of almost €500 for nothing other than an assessor conjuring up reasons to fail a car - money money money for the NCT and their retests.

23 July 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

NCT Centre in Toughers…

Visited Naas NCT Centre in Toughers this morning. Very efficient service. In and out in 20 minutes. Friendly staff. Newly refurbished waiting area which is a good improvement.

18 July 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Poor and old inspection standards

They could fail your car for random reasons. When you understand your car isn't troubling you for certain reasons, they could fail it by just visually seeing it. There is no data driven approach to these visual issues. It feels like you are forced to spend on your car every time you take for a test, so there is constantly a business running around tests and mechanical fixes.

The NCT standards are poor with visual checks as there are no data behind it.

25 April 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Understanding calendars is apparently beyond the abilities of NCT staff

Brought my car in for my annual NCT test and it failed on a number of items (fair enough, I expected that a few things would need to be done with it). I brought it to a mechanic and got everything fixed, booked it in for a retest and brought it back. The second time, they failed it again because one of my break lights was slightly less intense than the other (seemed like a stupid reason but fair enough, they know what they're doing). The guy told me I would need a visual retest and that I had a month to get the problem fixed and bring it back. I got the problem fixed and brought it back. When I got there, the guy refused to pass it as he said it was out of date and I would need a full retest. If anyone from the NCT is reading, here's a hint... Don't tell people they have a month to get their car retested if, when they bring it back 2 weeks later, you're going to say it's out of date.

3 April 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Tralee nct centre is a joke

Tralee nct centre is a joke
Took my car for test and they failed it with failed dangerous on a tyre and said that the subframe was loose
Took it to get tyre changed and was told the tyre was perfect and mechanic also said subframe wasnt loose at all
Took it for retest in castleisland without any work being done and tyre still on and passed straight away
Just making up things to scam us out of more money

2 April 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Outrageous

It’s starting to get to the point that it’s ridiculous. Came over to get my test done in athlone was booked in for 16:20 showed up 30 minutes earlier. While I waited an hour for my car the 3 testers were standing around talking to themselves and on the phone and standing around smoking while an older man got 4 cars done in the time mine was up. You call them and they say they are too busy or there is a 3 month wait for your test. Maybe if they worked instead of standing around we would be getting are tests done in time

2 April 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Shame for Drogheda NCT centre

Drogheda NCT

Yesterday I had NCT in Drogheda. Almost past just from one light failed. I fixed on next day on Monday and came back to NCT checking centre. I arrived there an 1pm and the man at the dest told me to come back after 2pm as they are fully bucked. I told that I have only vision check up for my car just may for a few minutes. But the man just repeated all again to be back at 2pm. I came back at 2pm and still waited for another 10minutes. Another man at the when hear that I said I’m waiting here already for one hour was a bit surprised. For him took only 3-4 min to look at my car and give me papers back. And for these 3-4 minutes I needed to wait 1 hour there inside 😡 Drogheda’s NCT centre didn’t deserve to get even that one star I puted. There should be option for 0 start. Staff just not taking care of them customers and ignoring them. Shame

4 March 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Fonthill reception are ignorant

Went into this money making factory today and got served by an Asian girl in the fonthill centre who shouted at me next please as I walked in which was clearly me as nobody else was there!before I could even say anything she rudely says what's your reg.. which I politely gave and then she gives her information like it was such an agonizing chore to her and then as I was walking out I says your definitely going win Mrs personality of the year award and I get the sour puss look again.. people don't wanna be in your Sithole environment getting ripped off by Muppets like you so least Yas can do is be try be a bit nice to them ok 👍👍

2 March 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Little Island disgraceful customer service

Failed on one faulty back license plate light, nothing wrong with that of course. Came back a few minutes after for a free visual check, after dropping to an adjacent repair center to fix the issue.
I was told to park my vehicle and upon seeing a technician, just to just wave at him so he could then verify that everything is in order.

This is when everything went wrong.
I waited 5mn to see a technician, I drew his attention and he barely looked at me, and walked on to pick a vehicle waiting on the outside lanes and drove past me...
I waited another 5mn before walking back inside and asked if there was somebody available for a visual check.
The lady at the desk informed me that I would have to stand outside , and that as soon as I would see a technician I would need to draw his attention. I explained that I had already done this and that I only saw 1 technician and that he ignored me. I was advised to try again.
Which I did, stood another 10mn waiting and wasting my time, all the test lanes were empty, numerous technicians clearly saw me from the far end of the building and nobody had the professionalism to look after a customer.
There is obviously no communication whatsoever between the front desk and the technicians.
I had wasted enough time and drove off.

This was the Little Island co. Cork test center, the technician that blanked was wearing a cap, it was just before 1pm and he checked a vehicle on the far left lane, easily identifiable if this organization is properly managed.

There are obviously no supervisors, or if there are any I would be curious to find out what they are actually doing ?

NCT centers have a monopoly, they basically don't care about customers because they will keep coming back forever, no competition on the market so it's a win win situation and therefore their customer service skills / training is non existent.

From a customer service point of view , this is appalling and disgraceful.

I have no doubt that this review will end up with thousands of others in a computer recycle bin, however I am entitled to a reply that I cannot wait to read.

19 February 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Thank you Eamonn for your helpp and…

Thank you Eamonn for your help and Kindness when I returned on Saturday. You gave me a fright when you showed me the problem, even thought I had passed the test 2 weeks previous.. even though you are not a garage you went to your own car to get whatever to fix the problem..... Thank you again and very best wishes for your future in NCT Limerick

10 February 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

NCT OMG

Got the car NCT'd, failed incorrect oil level. Had my mechanic look at it, he told me the oil level was fine. Brought it back for retest 28 uero extra and they passed it, I didnt make a solitary change. I want to make a complaint the website tells me, remember this is 2024, I can phone for a complaint form or pick one up in the office, internet age has not reached them yet, I'd laugh if it wasnt so obviously cynical. BTW they encourage you to email with good feedback !!! Sham of a service we deserve better. If NCT review these can they please contact me.

17 January 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Why are the failure rates in Northern…

Why are the failure rates in Northern Ireland 19% in government centres whilst failure rates in private franchised centres in southern Ireland over 50% ?. It is a big con for more money and conning people and they are a joke. years ago they was a letter sent around from head office to the centres to say they were not failure enough cars.

11 January 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

There should be an option for 0 stars.

There should be an option for 0 stars.

Little Island Cork, Sunday to Monday night. Car was perfect, but have failed. Due to the dash displaying tyre pressure "warning".

The guy was a total ******, saying he does not create rules, and even though tyre pressure is perfect and no sign of any safety issue, he failed it simply because of that light on the dash.

In page 93 of their own NCT manual state:

"Vehicles must only be rejected if it is clear that the lamp indicates a system malfunction."

That light did not indicate any system malfunction, and he also confirmed that beside that indicator on, all ok.

I have asked, what if I connect to the computer and switch off the module, would it pass? His answer was yes. So what is the point to fail it anyway?

He was an arrogant guy, did nit want to hear any objection or have a decision on common sense.

They not only need education, but some of them need communication skills as well.

Should I send a compliant? What for? They wont answer it anyway.

8 January 2024
Unprompted review

Is this your company?

Claim your profile to access Trustpilot’s free business tools and connect with customers.

Get free account

The Trustpilot Experience

Anyone can write a Trustpilot review. People who write reviews have ownership to edit or delete them at any time, and they’ll be displayed as long as an account is active.

We use dedicated people and clever technology to safeguard our platform. Find out how we combat fake reviews.

Learn about Trustpilot’s review process.

Here are 8 tips for writing great reviews.

Verification can help ensure real people are writing the reviews you read on Trustpilot.

Offering incentives for reviews or asking for them selectively can bias the TrustScore, which goes against our guidelines.

Take a closer look