Figures for 2025 recently issued by the NCTS, the body that administers Ireland’s national car test programme, show that just over 250,000 cars submitted for an NCT last year failed the visual defect test because of problems with their tyres. With a rate of 14.3 percent of total tests carried out last year (1,744,985), tyres accounted for the highest number of visual defect fails, followed by defective front suspension (10.9 percent) and defective steering linkage* (8.5 percent). In addition, an increasing number of cars undergoing the test are receiving a ‘dangerous fail’ result meaning the vehicle is unroadworthy to a dangerous level – nearly 133,000 vehicles last year or 7.4 percent of the tests carried out were thus classified.
Commenting on the figures, Tom Dennigan of premium tyre manufacturer, Continental Tyres Ireland, said: “I am shocked at both the number of tyre failures in the NCT and the increase in ‘dangerous fail’ results, it is clear that a significant number of Irish drivers are paying scant regard to basic maintenance requirements that would ensure their vehicles are roadworthy. Although we don’t have a breakdown of the reasons for the high number of ‘dangerous fail’ results, I have no doubt that damaged or defective tyres would account for a considerable number”.
Dennigan continued: “In 2025, the NCT marked its 25th anniversary and last year’s total of 1.74 million tests carried out is the highest in the NCT’s history. Without a doubt, the NCT has made a great contribution to keeping dangerous or defective cars off the roads of Ireland providing a huge boost to overall road safety. However, anyone who is concerned about improving road safety in Ireland can’t but be alarmed at these shocking figures”.
“Given the crucial impact on safety that tyre condition can have on a vehicle, tyre manufacturers as well as their industry representative bodies such as the Irish Tyre Industry Association (ITIA), and road safety organisations, all engage in well thought out tyre safety campaigns with the aim of raising the level of awareness of and commitment to tyre safety among the motoring public. On the evidence of these latest NCT statistics, Irish drivers are not heeding these important road safety messages”.
“Drivers in Ireland need to up their game when it comes to tyre safety. It is not a difficult task as any driver can carry out a visual examination of a car’s tyres that will show up any obvious problems. However, our advice to motorists is always to regularly have your tyres checked at a local tyre dealership where expert staff will identify any problems before it’s too late. Many tyre outlets will happily provide you with a free tyre check”.
When checking tyres, it is important to check key elements such as tread depth and tyre pressure, but it is equally as important to check for bumps, or uneven wear of the tyre that, in extreme cases, could lead to a tyre blowout.
Dennigan concluded: “Motorists need to take responsibility for ensuring their car is roadworthy by regularly doing some basic car maintenance. Also, it is important that drivers keep up with the service schedule for their vehicle which will not only ensure the car is roadworthy but will provide a higher chance of passing the NCT”.
