Record Number of Dangerous Vehicles Detected on Irish Roads, RSA Warns

Ireland’s Road Safety Authority (RSA) has raised serious concerns over the growing number of dangerously defective vehicles on the country’s roads, after official figures revealed that nearly 133,000 cars failed National Car Test (NCT) inspections at a “fail dangerous” level last year.

The data shows that almost one in every 13 vehicles tested in 2025 was deemed unroadworthy to a dangerous extent, marking the highest level recorded in recent years. According to figures published by the National Car Testing Service (NCTS), 7.6 per cent of the more than 1.74 million vehicles tested at Ireland’s 50 NCT centres were classified as unsafe to be driven on public roads, up from 7.4 per cent the previous year.

The number of vehicles classified as “fail dangerous” rose to 132,964, an increase of nearly 4,500 vehicles over the previous record set in 2024. The proportion of dangerously defective vehicles has increased steadily over recent years, rising from 4.9 per cent in 2020 to its current peak.

Of particular concern, the figures also show that 4,218 vehicles remained in a dangerous and unroadworthy condition even after being presented for a re-test, highlighting serious gaps in vehicle maintenance and compliance.

Key Safety Defects Identified

The data points to widespread mechanical and safety issues. More than 14 per cent of vehicles tested had defective tyres, while 11 per cent were found to have defective front suspension and 8 per cent had faulty braking systems.

The NCTS explained that a “fail dangerous” classification is applied when a vehicle has a defect that “constitutes a direct or immediate risk to road safety,” meaning it should not be driven under any circumstances. Vehicles given this classification are fitted with a warning sticker by NCT inspectors, and motorists are advised to have them towed from the test centre.

RSA Issues Warning to Motorists

Commenting on the findings, an RSA spokesperson said the rising number of vehicles receiving a “fail dangerous” result poses a “direct and immediate risk to road safety.”

“It is an offence to drive a vehicle with dangerous defects on public roads,” the spokesperson said, urging motorists to take greater responsibility for vehicle upkeep.

The RSA also criticised what it described as a “disappointing culture” of drivers using the NCT as a diagnostic tool rather than maintaining their vehicles throughout the year. According to the authority, this approach contributes to inefficiencies within the NCT system and increases risks to road safety.

“Regular upkeep ensures your car is safe, roadworthy and operating efficiently at all times,” the spokesperson said. “Proactively addressing known issues before your test improves your chances of passing and helps the NCT system operate more efficiently, freeing up capacity for others.”

Regional Variations and Pass Rates

The figures also highlight significant regional disparities. Cavan recorded the highest ‘fail dangerous’ rate, with 11.4 per cent of vehicles tested deemed dangerously defective. Other counties with high failure rates included Meath (9.4 per cent), Clare and Sligo (both 9.2 per cent), and Monaghan (9.0 per cent).

By contrast, Offaly recorded the lowest ‘fail dangerous’ rate at 6.2 per cent, followed by Kildare (6.6 per cent), Wicklow (6.9 per cent), and Dublin, Kerry and Waterford (all 7.1 per cent).

The overall NCT pass rate also declined, falling to 49.2 per cent in 2025 from 50.6 per cent in 2024, marking the first time in five years that the pass rate dropped below 50 per cent. Only eight counties recorded pass rates above 50 per cent, with Offaly leading at 56.2 per cent, followed by Waterford (53.0 per cent) and Tipperary (52.0 per cent).

At the lower end of the scale, Clare recorded the lowest pass rate at 41.5 per cent, closely followed by Cavan (41.6 per cent), Longford (41.7 per cent), and Monaghan (42.2 per cent).

Rising Safety Concerns

The release of the data comes against the backdrop of an 8 per cent increase in road deaths in Ireland last year, further intensifying concerns about vehicle safety standards. NCTS figures also show that nearly 14 per cent of more than 630,000 vehicles submitted for lane re-tests were failed, underscoring persistent maintenance issues.

The Deansgrange NCT centre in Co Dublin recorded the highest pass rate nationally at 57.3 per cent, and was also the busiest centre, testing more than 111,000 vehicles during the year.