Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 September 2022
146. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to a possible anomaly in the national car test in which a car being registered as being previously written off is not assessed or divulged to the owner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44805/22]
View answerThe operation of the National Car Testing Service (NCTS) is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days
On the generality of the Deputy's question, I note that it is a criminal offence to provide false, misleading or deceptive information regarding a vehicle to a customer under the Consumer Protection Act 2007. Automotive traders are obliged to disclose a vehicle’s entire history to the customer, including information about whether a vehicle was previously written off.
With respect to periodic roadworthiness testing, I would remind the Deputy that the NCT is not an enforcement tool against unscrupulous vehicle modifications. It is a check at a point in time that a vehicle meets a basic standard. During the test, the vehicle cannot be dismantled, so only parts that are accessible can be checked. The NCT is not a substitute for a comprehensive technical examination of a vehicle prior to purchase and therefore should not be regarded as a warranty. It is essential that car buyers carry out thorough background checks, using reputable vehicle history checking websites, and gather as much information as possible before buying a vehicle.
I am aware of reports of written-off vehicles being placed on the market, albeit in relatively small numbers. The proposed Road Traffic and Roads Bill will put in place the necessary legislative provisions needed to establish a database of all motor insurance policies, which may incorporate written-off vehicles.
