Why do cars fail the NCT

Posted by Suzanne Keane on Jul 27, 2017

A bit of essential maintenance by motorists could cut the number of cars failing the National Car Test (NCT), Suzanne Keane explains the most common reasons for failing Lesss than half of all cars tested for the NCT pass on the first go. Retest results are more encouraging with more than 90% passing and only 0.1% falling into the “Fail Dangerous” category. The most common failures are as follows – Front Suspension Generally your suspension will fail either on imbalance (once side not working as well as the other) or worn/leaking parts. These can affect your braking and handling ability so are an important fix! Tyre Condition Tyres need to be correctly inflated, have sufficient thread, not have any visible damage or lumps and also need to be “E” marked. They will also need to be the same type and size on each axle (i.e. same tyres on both front wheels or both back wheels). If you’re unsure about your tyres get them checked out before the NCT Headlamp Aim There are few things more annoying than being blinded by oncoming traffic, or not being able to see where you’re going to having the aim of your lights checked should be on a regular maintenance checklist! Brake Line/Hoses Your brakes work with fluid in a sealed system. If your brake hoses are torn/worn or starting to get a bit shabby you won’t be able to brake as well, if at all!! Brake Lights Now that you’ve got your brakes in tip top shape (see above) and you’re not afraid to use them keep in mind the cars travelling behind you. If they can’t see your brake lights they won’t be able to stop or slow down when you do….. What’s frightening about the 5 items above is how crucial they all are to road safety and protecting yourself while driving. Make sure to keep your car in good condition regularly and not just because you have an NCT coming up! If your NCT is coming up then check out our tips here and give yourself the best chance of passing Suzanne Keane 27th July, 2017...

New survey finds 84% of Irish drivers use electronic devices behind the wheel

Jul25

0

New survey finds 84% of Irish drivers use electronic devices behind the wheel

Posted by wheelsforwomen on Jul 25, 2017

New survey finds 84% of Irish drivers use electronic devices behind the wheel

A new survey highlights bad Irish driving habits Four out of five (84%) Irish drivers admit to using electronic devices or consulting maps while driving compared to two thirds (66%) of drivers in the UK. When it comes to sending text messages while at the wheel, a quarter (26%) of Irish drivers admit to this offence, exactly double the number in the UK (13%). That’s according to recent research commissioned by Aviva which looked at driving habits across 13 countries around the world. The research, which was carried out by IPSOS Mori on behalf of Aviva, found that drivers in Ireland compare badly with our neighbours in the UK with almost half (45%) of Irish drivers admitting to making phone calls behind the wheel without a hands-free kit, while in the UK, the equivalent number was 20%. The numbers who report checking their social media while driving in Ireland is also more than double that of the UK (15% v 7%). In this respect, only Italian drivers are worse than Irish drivers among our European counterparts at 17%. Speaking about the findings, Michael Bannon, Underwriting Manager with Aviva Motor Insurance, said: “It is shocking to find that so many drivers are taking such risks, given all that we know about road safety. Just a split second of distraction or lapse in concentration can result in death on the road. Technology has revolutionised our lives for the better in very many respects but when it comes to road safety its ability to...

Jul25

0

A car by any other name

Posted by Geraldine Herbert on Jul 25, 2017

A car by any other name

We recall some of the more eccentric names put on cars by firms that really should know better writes Geraldine Herbert The global success of cars such as the Ford Focus or the Volkswagen Golf confirm that the holy grail for car markers is to produce something that appeals in all four corners of the world. But coining a name that conveys the same amount of allure and panache across different cultures is something...

Jul24

0

Skoda Kodiaq 2.0TDI 190HP DSG 4×4

Posted by Geraldine Herbert on Jul 24, 2017

Skoda Kodiaq 2.0TDI 190HP DSG 4×4

Skoda has arrived fashionably late to the SUV party with its seven-seat Kodiaq, writes Geraldine Herbert What is it? Skoda’s Kodiaq arrives on the market at a time when, despite the popularity of Crossovers and SUVs, if you need space for up to seven and want an affordable family-sized crossover or SUV, there aren’t a huge amount of options. Seven-seat SUVs tend to fall into the very pricey category such as Audi Q7, Volvo...