All centres ranked, 2023
| # | Centre | County | Pass rate 2023 | Change on 2022 | Initial tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ballinasloe | Galway | 62.7% | +3.4 | 16,079 |
| 2 | Abbeyfeale | Limerick | 60.8% | +0.2 | 16,856 |
| 3 | Deansgrange | Dublin | 60.7% | -2 | 98,421 |
| 4 | Tullamore | Offaly | 60.1% | +0.9 | 27,976 |
| 5 | Killarney | Kerry | 59.2% | -0.7 | 21,099 |
| 6 | Tralee | Kerry | 58.8% | +0.3 | 26,748 |
| 7 | Cork-Blarney | Cork | 57.9% | -1.4 | 54,729 |
| 8 | Limerick | Limerick | 57.4% | +0.3 | 57,181 |
| 9 | Arklow | Wicklow | 57.1% | -1 | 32,330 |
| 10 | Charleville | Cork | 57% | -1.2 | 17,104 |
| 11 | Waterford | Waterford | 56.6% | -2.5 | 41,407 |
| 12 | Cork-Little Island | Cork | 56.4% | -2.6 | 61,589 |
| 13 | Nenagh | Tipperary | 54.9% | -1.3 | 24,776 |
| 14 | Cahir | Tipperary | 54.8% | -1.1 | 30,529 |
| 15 | Macroom | Cork | 54.4% | -1.5 | 17,534 |
| 16 | Cahirciveen | Kerry | 54.3% | +2.6 | 3,585 |
| 17 | Kilkenny | Kilkenny | 54.3% | -2.9 | 33,637 |
| 18 | Drogheda | Louth | 54.1% | -2.2 | 38,276 |
| 19 | Naas | Kildare | 53.7% | -2.4 | 50,583 |
| 20 | Portlaoise | Laois | 53.5% | -6.3 | 30,356 |
| 21 | Mullingar | Westmeath | 53.4% | -5 | 27,600 |
| 22 | Northpoint 2 (Exit 4, M50) | Dublin | 53.2% | -1.2 | 97,324 |
| 23 | Youghal | Cork | 53.1% | -3 | 17,131 |
| 24 | Sligo | Sligo | 52.7% | +0.2 | 22,473 |
| 25 | Castleisland | Kerry | 51.8% | — | 2,476 |
| 26 | Kells | Meath | 51.6% | -1.3 | 34,452 |
| 27 | Greenhills (Exit 11, M50) | Dublin | 51.4% | +0.2 | 68,898 |
| 28 | Skibbereen | Cork | 51.1% | -0.4 | 19,421 |
| 29 | Longford | Longford | 51% | -4.5 | 14,283 |
| 30 | Northpoint 1 (Exit 4, M50) | Dublin | 50.9% | +0.4 | 65,166 |
| 31 | Tuam | Galway | 50.5% | -1.4 | 20,334 |
| 32 | Westport | Mayo | 50% | -0.6 | 26,899 |
| 33 | Dundalk | Louth | 49.9% | -1.4 | 28,073 |
| 34 | Fonthill | Dublin | 49.7% | -0.3 | 92,190 |
| 35 | Donegal Town | Donegal | 48.8% | -2.3 | 14,015 |
| 36 | Letterkenny | Donegal | 48.6% | +2.2 | 23,085 |
| 37 | Ennis | Clare | 48.3% | -1.5 | 35,029 |
| 38 | Athlone | Westmeath | 47.5% | -6.8 | 27,707 |
| 39 | Carndonagh | Donegal | 47.5% | -0.7 | 8,208 |
| 40 | Enniscorthy | Wexford | 47.5% | -1.7 | 41,516 |
| 41 | Galway | Galway | 47.5% | -2.6 | 49,311 |
| 42 | Carlow | Carlow | 47.4% | +1.6 | 26,643 |
| 43 | Carrick-on-Shannon | Leitrim | 47.2% | -1.5 | 15,116 |
| 44 | Castlerea | Roscommon | 46% | +0.2 | 15,310 |
| 45 | Clifden | Galway | 45.6% | +1.6 | 5,885 |
| 46 | Monaghan | Monaghan | 45.5% | -1.9 | 15,429 |
| 47 | Ballina | Mayo | 45.3% | -2.1 | 22,274 |
| 48 | Navan | Meath | 45% | -3.1 | 28,864 |
| 49 | Derrybeg | Donegal | 44.3% | +4.3 | 6,827 |
| 50 | Cavan | Cavan | 40.8% | -1.5 | 15,265 |
The busiest centre was Deansgrange with 98,421 initial tests. The biggest improvement on 2022 was at Derrybeg (+4.3 points) and the biggest drop at Athlone (-6.8 points). In 2024 the national rate was 50.6%: see the 2024 ranking.
Pass rate = cars that passed at the initial test divided by initial tests, from the table by centre in the NCTS annual review. From 2018, "pass pending recheck" (minor items fixed without a retest) counts as a pass, as in the RSA open data. Retests are excluded.
Frequently asked questions
What was the NCT pass rate in 2023?
52.9% of initial NCT tests were passes in 2023, across 1,587,999 tests at 50 centres (down 1.4 points on 2022).
Which NCT centre had the best pass rate in 2023?
Ballinasloe (62.7%), followed by Abbeyfeale (60.8%) and Deansgrange (60.7%). The lowest was Cavan (40.8%).
Related guides
Pass rates by car
Make and model, 2025.
Fail reasons
What fails most.
All centres
Addresses, map and hours.
Sources: NCTS annual review 2023 (table by centre). NCT Centres is independent and not affiliated with the NCTS or the RSA. Fees and rules can change: confirm on ncts.ie before you book.