An NCT certificate was refused for this vehicle on 16 October 2004 because the registration plates did not comply with the relevant legal requirements. It is understood from National Car Testing Service Limited that the registration plates did not show the placename of the licensing authority, namely Cill Mhantáin. Following a visual retest of the vehicle on 19 October 2004, an NCT certificate was issued for the vehicle. No fee was charged by the company as the retest did not require the use of a test lane.
Until 14 September 2003, registration plates were classified as a "fail advisory" item and failure to comply with the legal requirements for them was not a reason for refusal of a NCT certificate. For that reason, it was possible to issue a test certificate in 2002 for the vehicle in question but the owner should have been advised at the time of the need to rectify the defect.