Will my damaged car fail its NCT next month?
I accidentally hit a bollard and got the front passenger door and side skirt with mild scrapes and multiple dents. No jagged edges sustained and no holes. My NCT is on October 27, and I got a quote of €500 for the repair. Will my car fail if I do a DIY scratch removal and touch up minus the dent repair?
Kind regards
Jehrome (Finglas Dublin )Sep 2025 Filed under: NCT
Expert answer
Hi Jehrome,
A car shouldn't fail its NCT for cosmetic damage, only for damage deemed to be a danger to someone, though it's a little open to interpretation on the tester's behalf. We always advise drivers to present the car in its best possible light for the NCT to make the whole process go smoother.
Be aware that the car can also be failed if the tester reckons a bad repair job has been done, so our advice is to either get it done properly or not at all.
Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Advisor