Accessory lights not working, WOF question

[Oakie]

A work colleague has had her car declined for a WOF because the spotlights don't work (she has low beam, high beam and then spotlights on a separate circuit). Anyone know the rationale behind declining a WOF because additional lights don't work? The tester said if she takes them off she gets the warrant. The lights came standard on the car as opposed to being an after market accessory so that may make a difference.

[Mully]

What I heard was that if they are there, they must work and be angled correctly.

This is probably wrong, and I'll probably get flamed for saying it.

Umm, why don't they work if they're factory fitment?

[babyB]

What I heard was that if they are there, they must work and be angled correctly.

This is probably wrong, and I'll probably get flamed for saying it.

Umm, why don't they work if they're factory fitment?
well i say your right.
i have had the same problem over brake/indicators in the rear window. ... eithe take them out or remove them

[Juzz976]

take them out, obviously dont use them anyways.

however if it were my car it'd look funny with 2 holes where something should be so I'd fix them myself.
- take a supply from somewhere add a fuse and a switch.
- lamps dead - replace them.
- all else failing start a thread about how lame the WoF standards are.

[Hopeful Bastard]

I take it, That the car went through VTNZ??

Try taking your car through a Garage. I had the same issue with my car when i Installed spotlights on my car. I bought some nice spotties just so i can have them on during the day.

So we hard wired them. Took it into VTNZ for a WOF a couple of months later, And get told that they are too bright. Yet, These are the lights that were recommended on the packaging.
So we modified the lights and put dimmer bulbs into them, Took them back through and they fail us again. This time, for the lights not turning off when my headlights turn on. but this time, I had my father with me. He told them to put a Wof on it and he will fix that problem.

So that is done! so i thought. Took it through a Wof 6 months later but this time through a garage as my relay had blown and a spotlight was also blown. he didnt care, Due to me having Headlights on High and Low beam still. This passed.

Then just the other week, I took my car back to VTNZ thinking, Oh yupp.. My lights are both blown/broken so shouldnt be a problem. Bloody oath it was a problem. They didnt care about my broken Engine mount, my wheel alighnment being out, My rear right brake drum leaking.. All these are critical to a car running, stopping and staying on track..

But no, They fail me for my spotlights. I offered to snip the wires on the back for them, But no.. I still have to take them off. So they passed me, But reversed my car into their workshop for ME to take the spotlights off.. Crazy bastards i thought they were.. Last time i am going to VTNZ. From now on, Will be booking my car for a WOF at the Garage..


But seeing as the lights on your friends car came original.. I wouldnt be too confident on taking out the spotlights incase they are fixed in there.. Just tell your friend to go to a Garage.. Worked for me! :rolleyes:

[neels]

I can't remember how many times I've rewired fog/driving lights on my cars over the years to keep WOF testers happy, seems the rules change all the time and/or different testers have different ideas about what they mean.

But as stated above, the usual rule is that if they are there then they have to work.

[StoneY]

I take it, That the car went through VTNZ??

Try taking your car through a Garage.

Once the VTNZ crew fail it, you have to return to them for next inspection, or the next WOF MUST detail that the issue it was failed for is now rectified, one or the other (was like that with my car, chewed tyre edge, had to return to VTNZ after replacing tyre [another story but clap clap for Tony's Tyres])

If its fitted to the vehicle, its gotta work to the WOF standards, that simple
Dont work, remove it or fix it

It CLEARLY states that ANY lights (indicators, park bulbs, etc ) must function to pass the WOF
Testing a vehicle with non working front lamps...must ask what you were smokin! and if ya have any left

Only dash lights and the interior light of ya cab are exempt I believe

[The Pastor]

You only have to return if you dont want to pay another fee.

It boggles my mind why people want to pay 100% more to go to vtnz. There up over 50 bucks a wof now! Crazy!

[huff3r]

Or just get some duct tape, and chuck it over the lens maybe?

Funny, cos as far as i'm aware running lights must either both work, or both not work. Thats what i've been told, nothing about "if its there it has to work". Thats just stupid!

[SMOKEU]

Fuck VTNZ. Those cunts were thrashing my bike when I took it to them for a WOF.

[The Pastor]

ok for all you idiots, here is the requirements.

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/virm-in-service-certification/docs/general-04-v3a5.pdf

It says it must work when turned on. - So if its fitted and cant be turned on / dosent work you will fail your warrent. A little bit silly but its the rulez

[Skyryder]

As I understand the WOF laws if it's fitted and applicable to the safety checks it's gota work. I don't understand the rational behind this when a vehicle can pass with out the same 'accessory' fitted.


Skyryder

[The Pastor]

As I understand the WOF laws if it's fitted and applicable to the safety checks it's gota work. I don't understand the rational behind this when a vehicle can pass with out the same 'accessory' fitted.


Skyryder
well in this particular case, they have to make sure they arnt going to "dazzel" other drivers, or make them think its a motorbike coming (1 headlight) etc. I understand why the law is there.

[StoneY]

ALL external lights MUST work

I had a truck with ONE running light out when I went for a fresh COF, one of the ones on the deck edge- fail

If its a lamp, of any sort, fitted for external use it MUST work

My mates 4x4 failed coz his Hunting Spotlight, bracket mounted on the drivers door was out of action

He took it off, and passed
Figure THAT one out and it wasnt VTNZ, just the local mecho

[nadroj]

There is a difference between "spots / fogs" fitted as daylight running lamps and Spots. Swat the difference as answering wrong to the inspector can fail them due to wiring differences.

[Oakie]

What really miffed my workmate was that while failing her on the non-working spots, they were quite happy with the windows that didn't wind down.

It was a local garage that failed her, not VTNZ. She took them off last night, passed the warrant today and is popping them back on tonight because the car looks ugly with the two empty holes up the front.

[CookMySock]

Uh, just fix them.. It would have taken longer to remove and reattach, than it would to find the fault.

Steve