Over 1.74 million NCTs were carried out in Ireland in 2025. More than half failed. Here is what the official data says about which car brands pass and fail most — and what that actually means when you are buying a used car on DoneDeal.
In 2025, 132,964 Irish cars were classified as "Fail Dangerous" — meaning they were deemed an immediate risk to road safety. This is the highest figure ever recorded and has risen every year since 2020. Badly worn tyres, corroded bodywork, and brake fluid leaks are the leading causes. A used car with an NCT failure in its history is not automatically a problem — but a history of repeated failures or a current fail is a serious red flag.
The following pass rates come from official NCTS data published by the RSA and cover full NCT tests for all makes with over 500 vehicles tested. The most recent complete brand breakdown available is 2024. Pass rates reflect the first-attempt full test only.
Source: NCTS / RSA 2024 annual data via cartakeback.ie. National average first-attempt pass rate: approximately 49%.
NCT pass rates are influenced by the age profile of cars tested, not just build quality. MG's high pass rate reflects a very young fleet — most MGs on Irish roads are recent imports. Land Rover's strong performance is partly explained by higher-spec, newer examples being more common in the tested pool. Always cross-reference pass rate with reliability data rather than treating it in isolation.
These are the most common reasons Irish cars fail their NCT. Understanding them tells you what to check before buying any used car.
Every car's NCT history is publicly available at ncts.ie — enter the reg and you can see every test result, date, and listed failures. This is free and takes two minutes. On any used car you are seriously considering, do this before you arrange a viewing. A car with repeated NCT failures for suspension or brakes tells you it has been neglected. A car that has consistently passed first time is a strong signal of good maintenance.
Steering and suspension is the single biggest NCT failure category at 15% of all failures — and it is also the category most likely to indicate a car that has been driven hard and poorly maintained. Before or during any viewing, listen for knocking over bumps, check for uneven tyre wear (a sign of suspension misalignment), and push down on each corner of the car to check shock absorber condition. Worn tyres are both an NCT fail and a safety risk — budget for replacement if the tread is below 3mm.
The fact that 7.6% of tested vehicles in 2025 were classified as immediately dangerous is a stark reminder that a significant proportion of Irish used cars are not properly maintained. When buying privately on DoneDeal, you are buying from owners who may not have invested in their car's upkeep. An independent pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic — costing €100–€150 — is essential on any private purchase over €5,000.
Land Rover has a 56% pass rate — better than Toyota, which isn't even in the top 10. But Land Rover has a well-documented reputation for expensive mechanical failures, particularly the Ingenium diesel engine. Pass rate reflects the age and condition of the current fleet, not the likelihood of a specific car breaking down expensively. Always cross-reference NCT data with model-specific reliability information before buying. Our Irish Used Car Reliability Index covers 55 models.
Toyota, Honda, and Mazda do not appear in the top 10 pass rates — but they consistently produce the most reliable used cars available in Ireland. Lexus is the standout exception: genuinely reliable and genuinely passing the NCT at a high rate. For used car buyers, NCT history is a useful input — but reliability data, service history, and a pre-purchase inspection matter more than a brand's average pass rate.
Tell us the make, model, year and mileage — we'll tell you what to check, what it's worth, and whether it's the right car for you.
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