NCT test

[claraman]

I've got a 99 mazdz 121 (ford fiesta type) and its due for the roadworthy test shortly. The spare wheel should be carried under the car but the holding bracket doesn't exist so I always carry the spare wheel in the boot. Will it fail the test because of this or is it ok?

[chas2008]

no reason why it shouldnt as long as the tyre is legal, if in doubt remove it altogether. Not having a spare is not a failure

[TWR]

No, on a point of safety, a Strap should be sorted just in case of an accident this is something your insurance may well pick on. ( As they do)

[chas2008]

OOPS, forget it should be secure....

[dm1982]

the spare is not tested irrespective of whether the tread is leagal/illegal or flat or if it is present or not.

the cradle which holds it only has to be secure as previously mentioned, if its not there at all then it cant be tested so wont fail either

[chas2008]

ignore the last comment, just checked with a current MOT tester, it is NOT a failure having a spare wheel in the boot unsecured

Lets be honest you could say that about anything in the boot area ie. toolbox,suitcase,shopping being unsecure and that certainly isnt a failure

[chas2008]

dm1982.
i was always under the impression a bald spare was a failure as if its there it could be used and so illegal.

I would check with my MOT tester but hes a bit stressed at the moment.

[claraman]

Thanx for your answers guys. The spare tyre is in very good condition anyway so should b ok. Hopefully it'll pass ok!

[singapore54]

leave the spare at home if it's not there it can't be tested.

[Panic Button]

Chas, you can carry a totally bald tyre as a spare if you like. You can carry a cartwheel if you prefer.

It is not illegal until it is attached to the axle.

If it was illegal to carry a tyre that doesn't meet the legal requirements, how could you drive off after changing a tyre by the roadside?

The spare, if one is carried, is not looked at in the MOT test.

By the way, what's an NCT test? Are you in the UK claraman?

[claraman]

No i'm in Ireland, the NCT is the equivalent of the MOT

[Panic Button]

Aah. In that case do not trust a word any of us say, as the laws may be different there.

[dm1982]

chas i was an MOT tester at one point, i wouldnt offer an opinion if i didnt know for sure, if a legal spare tyre was a legal requirement for the UK then why do some manufacturerers get away with not supplying a spare wheel at all with some cars?, they supply a foam repair canister instead. You cant have some rules for some cars and some rules for others

[TCL-MUMPING]

I have found the NCT testing manual online here, http://www.ncts.ie/nctmanual.pdf Page 56 shows the bit about spare tyres and you will fail because tyre within the car is not held securely.

[claraman]

TCL-MUMPING

I see that u say my car will fail the test if the spare wheel is not securely fitted and the NCT testing manual states the same. What happens if there is no spare wheel in the car when it goes in for the test??
Is it a requirement of the test that the spare wheel has to be in the car when it is being tested?

[TCL-MUMPING]

I'm no expert but unless Irish law states you have to carry a spare at all times I would say if there's no spare, there's no problem. For all the tester knows, the spare could have been put on the car on the way to its being tested.

[claraman]

No offence but I think maybe its best to actually contact the test centre and see if i can find out that way for definate. As soon as i have the correct information regarding spare wheels in the NCT, i'll post it here. Thanks to everybody for their help though.