WOF changes

[dvslux]

Hey guys, I got to work this morning, and some the guys were talking about how the government was thinking of making wofs a thing of the past.

Ive searched but I'm unable to find what they were talking about. I figured somebody here would have some idea of whats going on.

Being an inspector, and having seen the systems of america and australia, Im getting concerned.

If anyone has any info I would love to hear it

Cheers
Ben

[mattydog]

When I read your post I thought "Yeah, right". However, I did a Google search and the WoF process really is up for review:
www.nzherald.co.nz/motoring/news/article.cfm?c_id=9&objectid=10795220

Given the average age of our fleet and a national culture that does not encourage personal responsibility, I would have to question the logic of removing the need for a WoF every 6 months.

[dvslux]

Thanks for that link, my search skills must have been lacking this afternoon haha.

I think your right, this country doesnt have enough responsibility to handle fewer inspections.

As a wof inspector, and a dealership tech, I see so many owners who have no idea whats going on with thier car, Id say about 90% of our customers just dont pay any attention. From retired people, right through to the car owned by lease companies etc (we dont get very many customers below about 25-30).

I think I need to follow this very carefully. Not only in the safety factor, but also the loss of jobs that might come from this.

[Justin]

It'll be interesting if they do change the frequency to 12 months - I was always amazed how many faults we'd find on cars that had only had a WoF 6 months earlier. You guys probable see some piles of c&#p that passed a WoF 6 months ago....

Also, a lot of NZ'ers rely on WoF's to alert them to any 'servicing' problems with the car (low brake linings, leaking wheel cylinders etc) - that's because generally people don't get their cars serviced anywhere near as well as they used to in years gone by. So there needs to be a shift in the NZ'ers habbits in this regard, otherwise we'll likely see vehicles in a dangerous state on the road for longer periods of time.

Justin

[dax]

My understanding from within the legislative process is that the proposal to push it out to 12 months relates only to vehicles of less than a nominal age (14yrs is being talked about). There is currently an analysis going on of the past data, ie how many vehicles were failed for each age banding etc and a decision will follow. But yes I believe there is a change on the horizon.

[bwarp]

They need to do in on a per kilometre basis, not a time line basis. For example, every 10 - 20,000kms rather than every 6 months. If you did it every 10 thou, it'd align with servicing for most cars, so could be quite convenient.

The amount of Taxi's i've seen in the CBD with BALD tyres is phenominal.... and they're meant to be carrying passengers around safely and reliably!!

[Justin]

bwarp - that's good thinking, and makes sense, but I can see the problem with this - there's no Land Transport Rule that actually requires a vehicle to have an odometer, (only for a speedometer, or a diesel vehicle that has to record mileage for road user charges) so it couldn't be easily 'enforced'.

[coopdevil]

Just been getting this stuff onto NZHRM forum and messaged NZHRA. Went to an MTA members meeting the other night re this subject.

Hope between NZHRA an LVVTA we can get a good deal for Hotrodders and vintage guys and we dont lose the cheap rego or end up with too many tough and probably unnessasary inspections for hotrods.

[Dan]

If you're interested, all the details are here:
www.transport.govt.nz/ourwork/Land/VehicleLicensingReform/

It's a much wider review than just WoF:
"The Vehicle Licensing Reform project announced in March and jointly led by the Ministry of Transport and the NZ Transport Agency is looking at ways to refine the following systems:"

• annual vehicle licensing (commonly known as registration)
  
• warrant of fitness and certificate of fitness
  
• transport services licensing.