The Road Safety Authority has raised serious alarm over the growing number of dangerously unroadworthy vehicles being detected on Irish roads, following the release of new National Car Test (NCT) figures. Last year, almost 133,000 vehicles were classified as “fail dangerous”, marking the highest level ever recorded.
According to official data, close to one in every 13 cars examined during 2025 was found to pose an immediate threat to road safety. Inspectors deemed these vehicles unsafe to drive under any circumstances, reflecting a worrying trend in vehicle maintenance standards nationwide.
The statistics also reveal a decline in overall NCT performance. For the first time in five years, fewer than half of all vehicles passed the full test. The pass rate has steadily dropped from 54.3 per cent in 2022 to just 49.2 per cent last year, highlighting a consistent downward pattern.
Figures published by the National Car Testing Service show that more than 1.74 million vehicles were tested across Ireland’s 50 NCT centres during the year. Of these, 7.6 per cent were categorised as “fail dangerous”, up slightly from 7.4 per cent the previous year. This continues a steady rise from a low point of 4.9 per cent in 2020.
In total, 132,964 vehicles were judged to be in a dangerously defective condition, an increase of nearly 4,500 on the previous record set in 2024. Even more concerning, over 4,200 vehicles were still deemed unsafe when they returned for a re-test, suggesting that some motorists are failing to address critical safety faults.
Common issues identified included worn or defective tyres, which affected more than 14 per cent of vehicles tested. Faults in front suspension were found in 11 per cent of cars, while 8 per cent had serious brake defects.
The NCTS explained that a “fail dangerous” result applies when a vehicle has defects that represent a direct and immediate danger. Cars given this classification are issued with a warning sticker by inspectors, and owners are advised not to drive the vehicle and to arrange towing instead.
An RSA spokesperson said the rising number of dangerously defective vehicles represents a significant risk to all road users. These findings come amid an 8 per cent increase in road fatalities last year, adding to concerns about overall road safety.
The data also shows notable regional differences. Cavan recorded the highest proportion of dangerous failures, with 11.4 per cent of vehicles failing at that level. High rates were also seen in Meath, Clare, Sligo and Monaghan. By contrast, Offaly recorded the lowest rate at 6.2 per cent, followed by Kildare, Wicklow and several other counties with comparatively lower figures. The Deansgrange NCT centre led the country with a 57.3 per cent pass rate and was also the busiest, testing over 111,000 vehicles in 2025.
