On-Board Diagnostics System (OBD) testing will initially be introduced on a phased basis in the NCT. When an OBD error code is detected it will result in the vehicle receiving an “Advisory Pass” provided the vehicle passes on all other items being assessed.
An On-Board Diagnostics System (OBD) is a computer system inside a vehicle, which tracks and regulates a car’s performance. It collects information from sensors inside the vehicle, to alert the user to a problem, often before it becomes a major issue.
The main three changes introduced are follows
- OBD Testing: Ireland will be amongst the first of the EU Member States to commence the use of OBD testing under the EU Directive 2014/45
- A new NCT manual has been published and is available for download here. The manual lists each item on which a car will be tested and lays down the test method and pass/fail criteria to be adopted.
- Escalation of defects will see where a combination of deficiencies is recorded in the NCT in one area of a vehicle, the combination of deficiencies could lead to the result of the NCT being escalated to ‘fail dangerous’.
The OBD scanner will scan the OBD system for:
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Odometer Reading
- Electronic Braking System (EBS)
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)