More than 2,000 vehicles that failed the National Car Test (NCT) so far this year have been taken off the road because they didn’t meet basic safety standards.
Figures from the National Car Testing Service (NCTS) show 2,349 vehicles failed because they were classed as "dangerous".
Almost 300,000 vehicles, more than half of those tested between January and July, failed the first test and had to return for a retest. Nine out of every ten cars passed the retest.
Vehicles are considered dangerous by the NCTS if they have a defect that constitutes a "direct and immediate risk to road safety".
Fines of up to €5,000 can be imposed for driving a car that has been labelled as being dangerous, as well as five penalty points or three months imprisonment.
