The Road Safety Authority has defended the NCT service, after it was claimed that there were 'major flaws' in the testing system.
An RTÉ investigation reported that it was possible for a car to pass the NCT when all of its shock absorbers are defective, if the wheels are in 'relative balance'.
The investigation also suggested that vehicles described as being in "a dangerous condition" could pass the NCT.
In a statement, the RSA says the testing service is 'completely reliable', arguing the results of a balance test "cannot be interpreted in the way suggested by RTE".
The organisation says "research shows that even a car with brand new shock absorbers can have high readings. There is no single approved method of testing available that can give a threshold to accurately determine whether a car’s shock absorber is defective.
"As soon as a method is developed to determine this and which is subsequently approved and endorsed by recognised European governing bodies, the RSA will be at the forefront in implementing it in Ireland," the statement adds.
The RSA also argues the NCT 'goes above and beyond' EU requirements, and "is internationally recognised as one of the best tests – if not the best test – in Europe".
