BMW models
| Model | Tests | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| BMW 520 | 29,713 | 50.2% |
| BMW 320 | 12,335 | 42.6% |
| BMW 318 | 6,684 | 42.3% |
| BMW 116 | 4,873 | 57.4% |
| BMW X5 | 4,284 | 64.7% |
| BMW 330 | 3,977 | 66.1% |
| BMW 316 | 3,533 | 43.8% |
| BMW 530 | 3,518 | 65.8% |
| BMW 420 | 3,170 | 62.4% |
| BMW X3 | 3,150 | 62.5% |
| BMW X1 | 2,815 | 67.5% |
| BMW 118 | 2,103 | 62.3% |
Models with at least 2,000 initial tests in 2025.
Where BMW cars fail
| Category | BMW | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Steering and suspension | 16% | 18.5% |
| Wheels and tyres | 13.8% | 12.8% |
| Lighting and electrical | 13.3% | 17.6% |
| Side slip (wheel alignment) test | 12.4% | 15.2% |
| Vehicle and safety equipment | 10.3% | 8% |
| Headlight aim test | 9.6% | 9.3% |
Share of tests with at least one defect in each category. What each category covers · pre-NCT checklist.
Other makes
| Make | Tests | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen | 231,807 | 49.5% |
| Toyota | 227,840 | 50.6% |
| Ford | 174,701 | 45.1% |
| Nissan | 116,484 | 44.4% |
| Audi | 108,134 | 54.1% |
| Hyundai | 101,155 | 51.6% |
| Škoda | 80,400 | 56.5% |
| Renault | 68,249 | 43.6% |
| Mercedes-Benz | 64,690 | 53.5% |
| Kia | 58,797 | 51% |
| Peugeot | 57,456 | 44.7% |
| Opel | 54,979 | 47.7% |
All 34 makes · best and worst cars · pass rate by car age
Most-tested models in Ireland
Busiest NCT centres
NCT cost
€60 full test, €40 retest, free visual retest.
How to book
ncts.ie, phone and the priority list.
Retest rules
Book within 21 days, finish within 30.
How often
At 4 years, every 2 years, then yearly from 10.
What to bring
Documents and quick checks before the test.
NCT waiting times
Days to the next free test, by centre.
BMW NCT questions
What is the BMW NCT pass rate?
In 2025, 53.4% of BMW cars passed the NCT at the first attempt (49,852 of 93,340 initial tests), compared with 49.3% for all cars.
Which BMW model has the best NCT pass rate?
Among BMW models with at least 2,000 tests, the X1 did best (67.5%). Remember that newer models are usually younger cars, which pass more often.
Does the make of a car decide whether it passes?
Not on its own. Age, mileage and maintenance matter more, and the RSA warns its figures do not account for them. Use these numbers to know what to check, not to predict a result.
Source: RSA 2025 Make and Model Data, initial tests only. Reviewed 2 October 2026.