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Car history checking service Cartell.ie is issuing a warning to all prospective used car buyers that as many as 850 stolen and faked NCT certificates may be in circulation. The blank certs were stolen as part of an armed raid on the NCT centre in Drogheda in October 2013, and this week one was discovered and photographed.
The problem is not simply one of a consumer issue either. Clearly, these stolen certs can be tarted up to make it look as if a car has passed its NCT with flying colours, which is bad enough. But worse again is the fact that anyone buying a car that has been sold with one of these certs is liable for a fine of up to €2,000 and/or imprisonment for driving a car without a valid NCT. Using a motor vehicle without a valid NCT Test Certificate is an offence contrary to Section 18 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 as amended by Road Traffic Act 2006, section 18. Conviction for this offence carries five penalty points.
Jeff Aherne, Director, Cartell.ie, says: "It has been confirmed to Cartell that this certificate was one of the 850 certificates stolen in a raid in 2013. Understandably, these certificates will look completely authentic, as they were stolen at source, but the numbers on the certificates are not in official circulation. The consumer is encouraged to verify the numbers on the NCT Certificate with the official records to authenticate the certificate. Verification of the official NCT number with official records held by the Government is one of the many services provided by Cartell."
"If you are offered a stolen NCT certificate, you should not accept it, or display it on any vehicle, as it is an offence to use a motor vehicle without a valid NCT test certificate. As a buyer of a used vehicle you should be smart - verify all your documents as part of the buying process and that includes verifying the NCT Certificate number."
NCT tips from our partners at CompleteCar.ie: