Carlow ranks among the test centres with the highest fail rate in the whole country.
That's according to data published by cartakeback.ie, which also reveals a number of other interesting statistics from our national roadworthiness test.
56% of cars that go through the Carlow test centre fail their test, that's only behind Clifden (57%), Cavan (60%) and Castlerea in Roscommon, which has the highest failure rate in the country at 62%.
The figures also show the top five reasons why a car fails its test, with the front suspension the most common reason at 7%.
Beams were the second-most common reason followed by brake lines and hoses.
Meanwhile Chevrolet (68%), Citroen (58%) and Vauxhall (56%) are the cars that are most likely to fail the test.
Alfa Romeo (55%) follow in that list, followed by Daihatsu (55%) - however vehicle care, mileage, age and usage all play a large role.
Porsche and Lexus are the brands most likely to pass at 62% each, followed by Dacia, Skoda and Hyundai.
The NCT are run by private company Applus+ on behalf of the Road Safety Authority, a "worldwide leader in the testing, inspection, and certification sector."
The company, set up in 1996, float on the stock market, with a highest share price of €16.27 in June of 2014. However, it suffered a major drop in share price at the beginning of the pandemic to just €6.43.
Since then, and throughout 2021, its share price has gradually increased, despite posting losses of €1.3 million in 2020.
The company had paid over €35 million in dividends out by end of 2019.
