NCT target wait times are not being met, with ‘seasonal demand' now an issue in delays
Although much lower than the delays being experienced by people waiting for driving tests, the NCT target waiting time for an appointment is a maximum of 12 days. A Department of Transport spokesperson said the average wait time is 17, and above the target.
However, a spokesperson for NCT contractor Applus said that the average wait is 15 days to the first available slot and 17 days to the second available slot.
The department spokesperson said a rise in waiting times since last year is due to a number of issues, including a 40pc increase in 'seasonal demand'.
Neither the department nor ministers have a direct role in managing the NCT contract between the RSA and Applus, the NCT contractor
The spokesperson said there were a number of rescheduled tests due to poor weather conditions and red warnings for road users. 'It should be noted that so far this year has seen the NCT test the highest number of vehicles in a single week of 56,919,' the spokesperson said.
She said the Road Safety Authority has statutory responsibility for the operation and delivery of the National Car Test service.
'Neither the department nor ministers have a direct role in managing the NCT contract between the RSA and Applus, the NCT contractor,' she added.
The spokesperson said the NCT service level agreement was drafted between the Road Safety Authority and Applus, and sets the target average wait time for customers of a maximum of 12 days.
They added that this target was achieved last year.
A spokesperson for Applus said the average wait time for an NCT nationwide is 15 days.
She said the waiting list for appointments for the NCT was eliminated at the end of last year and 'we returned to compliance with waiting-time targets'.
This year, she said it is just exiting the busiest period for the National Car Testing Service as vehicles are due on the anniversary of their registration and vehicles tend to be bought early in the year, which puts pressure on the NCTS.
The spokesperson said weather-enforced closures in January didn't help matters, but she added: 'Customers are being offered appointments within two to three weeks of contacting us.'
She said a survey of more than 7,000 customers so far this year shows that almost 89pc are satisfied with the length of time they had to wait for an appointment, while overall satisfaction levels for the NCTS are well above 90pc.
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