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NCT Dundalk · Pass rate

NCT Dundalk pass rate

In 2025, 47.7% of cars passed first time at Dundalk, 1.5 points below the Irish average of 49.2%, down 0.5 points on 2024. It ranks 25 of 50 centres. 89.5% of retests passed.

47.7%first-time pass rate, 2025
25 / 50national ranking
89.5%retests passed
28,704initial tests in 2025

NCT Dundalk pass rate by year

Best year 2021 (51.3%), weakest 2020 (38.2%), when Covid disrupted testing. The dashed line is Ireland as a whole.

35%40%45%50%55% 2013201520172019202120232025
DundalkIreland
YearTestsDundalkIrelandRank
202528,70447.7%49.2%25 of 50
202430,68748.2%50.6%29 of 50
202328,07349.9%52.9%33 of 50
202223,09851.3%54.3%30 of 49
202119,12151.3%52.8%30 of 49
202015,30338.2%43.7%34 of 47
201921,98548.9%50%29 of 47
201821,14348.9%49.2%22 of 47
201720,93246.4%48.5%30 of 47
201622,53444.6%47.2%36 of 47
201523,56245.3%48.1%37 of 47
201418,99445.4%48.4%36 of 47
201316,57144.6%46.6%30 of 47

How NCT Dundalk compares

#CentrePass rate 2025
23Westport48.5%
24Fonthill48.4%
25Dundalk47.7%
26Naas47.7%
27Kells47.2%

All 50 centres ranked · Ireland since 2013

The car matters more than the centre

NCT Dundalk pass rate: questions

What is the NCT pass rate in Dundalk?

In 2025, 47.7% of cars passed the full NCT at Dundalk on the first attempt (13,690 of 28,704 initial tests), 1.5 points below the national rate of 49.2%. 89.5% of retests passed.

Has the pass rate at Dundalk gone up or down?

Results go back to 2013 (44.6%). The best year was 2021 (51.3%) and the weakest 2020 (38.2%). In 2025 it was 47.7%.

Is it easier to pass the NCT in Dundalk?

Pass rates mostly reflect the age and condition of the cars tested locally, not how strict a centre is: every centre uses the same standard. Preparing the car makes far more difference than the centre.

RSA NCT Pass Fail Rates 2025 and the NCTS annual reviews 2013–2024 (initial tests; from 2018 "pass pending recheck" counts as a pass, as in the RSA open data). Reviewed 2 October 2026.