Hubcaps

Thankfully, I happened to open iCal to add a new diary entry. If I hadn't done that I might well have missed the car test that the Renault was booked in for today. For some reason, I'd got it stuck in my head that the NCT was on Wednesday, so it's just as well I had something to add to my calendar/diary. Fortunately, also, I was up in plenty of time to get things ready for the 11.35 test time.

There are eleven items on the check list for NCT preparation, and the one which almost caught me out the first time I got the test done is removing the hubcaps. Having been quietly told on that occasion that the tester took pity on me and took off the hubcaps himself rather than fail the car (as they are apparently within their right to do!), I was determined not to get caught out this time. SInce this was the Renault's first NCT (it's over seven years old, but has been off the road for most of that time), I actually had to consult the manual to find out how to take off the hubcaps. After that it was time for a quick trip to the local petrol station to check the tyre pressure.

I brought a book to the test centre to help ass the time, but couldn't concentrate on it because the TV was on, tuned to bloody Sky News who were twittering away non-stop about the British royal engagement. I didn't dare go out and walk around in case I'd miss when my car was called for its verdict, so I did my best to switch off the unwanted background interference.

It was the best part of an hour before I heard the call. I couldn't help being a bit anxious, but I needn't have been, since the car passed everything with the proverbial flying colours. The only nastiness is that I'll have to go through it all again next June. This is because I fell foul of the rule which times NCT certificates in terms of anniversaries of first licensing. In my case, if the car had been on the road it would have been liable for texting in June 2007 and June 2009. So I need to need to get another test done in June 2011. No doubt it makes sense, but it seems a bit much.