Check a Car’s NCT Status with MotorCheck
Yes. A MotorCheck history report will show whether a car has a current and valid NCT certificate, the date of its last test and when the next test is due. This gives you a clear picture of the vehicle’s NCT status before you commit to buying it.
A valid NCT is important for any used car purchase. If a MotorCheck report shows that a vehicle’s NCT has expired, is close to expiring, or has gaps in its testing history, we recommend carrying out a thorough physical inspection before completing the sale.
Why is a valid NCT important?
The National Car Test (NCT) in Ireland is designed to ensure that vehicles on the road meet minimum safety and environmental standards. Issues commonly found during NCT inspections include suspension faults, brake defects, lighting failures and worn steering components, problems that can be costly to repair and, more importantly, affect road safety.
Verifying that a car has a genuine and valid NCT certificate helps you avoid:
- Driving an unsafe vehicle
- Unexpected repair bills
- Cars presented with fake or altered NCT discs
- Vehicles that passed the test long ago but have not been maintained
A MotorCheck report makes it easy to check a car’s NCT validity and identify concerns early.
How MotorCheck Helps Verify a Car’s NCT Certificate
MotorCheck allows you to:
- Confirm whether the NCT is current or expired
- See the date of the most recent test
- Check when the next test is due
- Verify whether the certificate number displayed on the vehicle matches the official NCT certificate number
- Confirm that the test was carried out at a registered NCT centre
This protects you from fake certificates and gives confidence that the test result is genuine.
You can start with a Free Vehicle Identity Check to see whether a vehicle has been through an NCT at an authorised centre, and upgrade to a full report for full verification.
How long does an NCT last?
In Ireland, an NCT certificate is valid until the expiry date printed on the certificate and displayed on the NCT disc. MotorCheck reports clearly show:
- The expiry date
- The last test date
- Any gaps in NCT testing history
This helps you understand a car’s NCT validity at a glance.
What do I need for the NCT test?
Here is the general NCT checklist provided to motorists:
- The vehicle registration book / VRC
- Identification
- A reasonably clean vehicle
- All wheel nuts accessible
- Tyres properly inflated
- The NCT test fee
- Any warning lights investigated beforehand
- The vehicle presented in roadworthy condition
Note: This is general NCT test preparation guidance and not specific to MotorCheck.
Is there an NCT phone number for assistance?
You may contact the National Car Testing Service directly for NCT bookings, queries or test-centre information via the official NCTS customer service channels.
Free NCT History Check vs Full MotorCheck Report
A free MotorCheck identity check can confirm whether a vehicle has been tested at a registered NCT centre, but it does not provide full NCT history or certificate verification.
A full MotorCheck history report includes:
- Current NCT status (valid or expired)
- NCT expiry date
- Date of the most recent test
- NCT certificate number verification
- Confirmation of the test centre location
- Alerts for inconsistencies or gaps in testing history
This gives you a clear overview of the car’s NCT validity and helps you identify expired certificates, missing tests or suspicious gaps in the vehicle’s NCT timeline.
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