Cost guide
An NCT full test costs €60 and a re-test costs €40, including VAT. Re-tests that only need a visual check, such as replaced wiper blades, are free.
Typical cost in Ireland
€60 full test · €40 re-test
| Job | Price |
|---|---|
| Full NCT test | €60 |
| Re-test (needs test equipment) | €40 |
| Re-test (visual check only) | Free |
| Late cancellation or no-show, full test | €24 |
| Late cancellation or no-show, re-test | €16 |
Last updated 23 October 2026 · Fixed and published prices, checked by hand against NCTS: fees and booking. Prices change, so confirm before you go. How we write these
The National Car Test fee is set by the Road Safety Authority, so it is the same at every NCT centre in the country. Since 1 January 2025 a full test costs €60 and a re-test €40, both including VAT. Before that they were €55 and €28.
Not every re-test is charged. If the fault found only needs a visual inspection to confirm it has been fixed (a broken bulb, worn wiper blades, a missing number-plate light), the re-test is free. Anything that has to go back on the test equipment, such as brakes, emissions or headlamp aim, is charged at €40.
Missing an appointment costs money too. Cancelling with less than five working days' notice, or not turning up, carries a fee of €24 for a full test and €16 for a re-test.
How often you pay depends on the age of the car. Cars are first tested at four years old, then every two years until they are ten, and every year after that.
The test fee is the fixed part. The variable part is any repair needed to pass: a set of tyres can run to a few hundred euro, and brake or suspension work more. Having a local garage do a pre-NCT check before your appointment is often cheaper than failing and paying for a re-test as well. Fees can change, so confirm the current price on ncts.ie when you book.
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Typically €60 in Ireland as of October 2026. Prices vary by job, location and provider, so get two or three written quotes.
Typically €40 in Ireland as of October 2026. Prices vary by job, location and provider, so get two or three written quotes.
€60 for a full test and €40 for a re-test, including VAT. Visual-only re-tests are free.
Only when the fault can be checked visually, such as wiper blades or a bulb. A re-test that needs the test equipment costs €40.
A no-show or a cancellation with less than five working days' notice costs €24 for a full test or €16 for a re-test.
From four years old, every two years until the car is ten, then every year.
Prices are indicative guides only and vary by job, location and provider. Always confirm with the business.