WOF drama

[peasea]

Man. I'm sick of inconsistent WOF testers! I've been going to the same WOF station for four years, no changes to the bike then all of a sudden my stainless steel brake line doesn't cut it. Then, to rub salt into the wound, I'm told the exhaust noise is "excessive". Hello? I've had eight WOF's here with no changes, what's up with the mufflers? I read up on the law and the rules on hoses have changed. Okay, no fuss, just get a new one. Mufflers? Nothing's changed (yet) but the law states that the inspector can call the shots just by using his ears. No decibel test, nothing. I got a dork and failed the test. Be warned HD and other thumping V-twin riders, the North Shore Vehicle Testing Station has, after all these years, suddenly grown sensitive ears. I used to respect those guys for an impartial test, not any more. My bike isn't THAT loud and let's not forget the rule about loud bikes anyway, whatever you ride. He missed the aftermarket six-pot brake caliper so I think I'm justified in calling him a dork, plus he didn't re-test my brakes after I fitted the new line. Bloody dangerous if you ask me.

[Ixion]

Hm. I wonder if some word has gone out to them. Petal's last WoF , a couple of days ago, they quibbled over the noise, never done that before. Though it might have been sour grapes cos the tester made a fool of himself, trying to kickstart her.Still, interesting. I pointed out that the mufflers were standard Suzuki GT750 (which they are, stamped on them), and claimed it was no louder than when new (prolly true). And his boss chipped in on my side, I think he was rather impressed.

Wonder if anyone else has been having the same problem?

Wotchz gonna do about the noise thing? (Assuming you don't have a spare set of quiet muflers to fit)

[peasea]

That was easy, fitted original mufflers, got WOF, re-fitted good ones. I don't care about the spanner work all I'm bitchin' about is the inconsistencies. Further to thet, my missus has a Sporty with the same line I had and she got a WOF there in November. There's more! My WOF expired on Dec 20, I got the new one on Dec 29. Why is the new expiry date July 13 07? They're dorks I tell you, from start to finish.

[cynna]

i used to go to the same wof site for the last 5 or so years with my van and bike. the old guy was too easy and eventually got sacked so the first time i went back for the van it failed on tyres, bumber, seatbelts, ball joints, rust, # plate light and quite a few other things. was quite an expensive wof - i was never failed on anything for the last few years

[cynna]

are they supposed to take the bike for a ride to test the brakes??? even the place i go to now doesnt ride the bike - i guess they just assume they work

a couple of wofs ago my pipes failed so i had to buy some screw in baffles. forgot to put them back in last time but it passed ok. it must come down to how the testers day has been

[kro]

WOF testing is astronomically inconsistent. Back in the days of my Mk 5 Cortina, I could usually get a wof on my 3rd attempt at different garages each time, nowadays, you can't do that shit.

I then discovered testing stations, who apparently had no other agenda, other than give your car a once over, and you wouldn't feel like any failed points were just them trying to get repair business, because they don't do repairs, and are "impartial". This changed when I visited a VTNZ in Nelson, where the tester failed my Galant for ( reading directly off last years wof sheet)

Windscreen Wiper bottle not filled. (Omg call the national guard)
Spare tyre bolt needs a couple of turns to tighten properly- spare tyre loose. (omg call the president, or better still, turn the fucking bolt two times, and this crisis will be overted)

You guessed it, now I'm back at a garage, but a good one. Thanks Heslops, I love you long time.

[What?]

VTNZ = Retirement Home for Failed Mechanics.
Go somewhere that has competent mechanics to get your WOF.

[peasea]

It looks like I'm not alone. I used to do the WOF thing in a previous life and any time we did any brake repairs the vehicle was re-tested on the whole brake system. The guy at the North Shore rode my bike for the first test but after I put the new line on he simply checked the numbers. It was that lack of a re-check that got my goat. He also didn't re-start the engine after I switched mufflers, he just looked at them! Anyway, I ain't going back and I'd suggest that anyone who lives on or near the North Shore stays well away from the tossers. Has anyone got a good WOF shop on the Shore? I'm not looking for a slacker, I like riding a safe bike.

[Motu]

As the law has stood for some time,if your bike was passed on the exhaust and then later pulled up by a Cop who considered the exhaust too noisy....then they could go back to the inspector and say ''what's the story you incomitant git?'' and remove his WoF licence.Now we have independent exhaust testing facilities with an approved consistant method of testing the noise levels - the onus is off the tester.You will find that now any borderline exhausts will be failed and you'll need to get you exhausts tested at a designated testing facility.

Don't blame the poor guy doing his job,he's not a policeman.

But you can blame the dorks at the testing stations - I have no idea how they get to be AVI's,but the guys up the road from me have no mechanical knowledge at all....but they can tick boxes to perfection.That is what the industry now requires,those who can follow the requirements layed down by LTNZ.I failed miserably at my last audit - ''Doesn't show commitment to the PRS sytstem''...Too fucking right I don't!!

[Dooly]

LTNZ.I failed miserably at my last audit - ''Doesn't show commitment to the PRS sytstem''...Too fucking right I don't!!

We had our one a month ago.
As usual, the brake meter came out the day before to check it still went, and we all had a go on it.
The beam setter was dusted off.
I only spent the day before updated paperwork and thought, 'fuckit, I can't be bothered with this shit, let him do what he will'.......result......best ever, and no audit for 21 months........guess inconsistancies are there with AVI auditors too.......I'm not complaining.
Get the bastard talking about fishing, and he loses interest int he audit.:yes:

But from experience......a WOF inspection is all dependant on the inspector, his mood, his attitude, customer's attitude.........I know that sounds bad, but I've seen it time and time again, especially at testing stationswhen we have to take small trucks for checks for customers since we can only do cars.

[Flyingpony]

I too no longer take any car/bike/trailer to VTNZ. They are just pedantic people without any consistency.

Also be aware about where you get your WOF done. On my previous cage all the WOFs were done at VTNZ in Nelson (near warehouse), but one year I had two done in Auckland. Heaven help me during that next WOF in Nelson, she failed on a multiple points, BUT some of those points were always there since I bought that cage i.e. no stop light in rear window! For fark sake!

Guess that once in a while the WOF people read the WOF requirements book and then select something they've not checked for a while and hammer it.

That's why I now go to smaller WOF shops (those without a garage attached) to get my WOF. They seem not to check everything in finite deal and take into consideration the machine appearance and owner personality (applicable for bikes since you go out back). They also are cheaper than VTNZ too, by nearly half!

[Aitch]

That once very feww months a directive is issued from VTNZHQ that the inspectors are to crack down on a particular item, like the time my trailer was failed cos the rear lihts were not visible from an angle of 30deg to the side. No measurement, just an eyeball job....
As an aside last time I took my bike for a warrant at VTNZ they couldn't test the brakes cos no-one at the station had a licence!!!!!
hmmmmmmmmmmmmm just occurred to me, if they drop my bike and damage it, who is responsible.....

[bobsmith]

Yeah. They failed my car yesterday for .... get this: dirty headlights.

apprently they have "no focus" is what they called it, and I'll have to go buy some polish and polish it up with some elbow grease.... damn.... can anyone recommend good products for polishing up headlight lens?

[Grumpy]

When we moved to the bay I did some research before taking one of our bikes to get a WOF. I went into a few of the local bike shops and other outfits that do them down here. I pointed out that I had after market exhausts and have removed the poxy mudguard and would that be a problem. The rest of the bikes are good so the guys that said no worries are the guys we use and haven't had any problems.

[Motu]

I only spent the day before updated paperwork and thought, 'fuckit, I can't be bothered with this shit, let him do what he will'........

That was my attitude - you see me as you see me,no reading the book,no last minute tidy in the PRS.But he was a guy I've never had before and hauled me up on some bullshit - no smoke test on a vehicle that has done 12,000km...duh,but I see his point,he wants to see me do it,not use my brain and say it doesn't need it.I didn't remove the spare to check the warning label - hey,if I can't remove a wheel to check brakes I can't remove a spare to check the label.But I got slamed on the beamsetter and that really pissed me off.My beamsetter is calibrated in degrees not %,and he said I was setting them incorrectly.He backed off when he realised his mistake,but still scored me a 1,which is really bad....in my improvement report I mentioned to make sure inspector knows how my machine is calibrated.I haven't heard back yet....but I am expecting him to appear any day for a spot audit to catch me out on more crap.

[KATWYN]

Anyway, I ain't going back and I'd suggest that anyone who lives on or near the North Shore stays well away from the tossers. Has anyone got a good WOF shop on the Shore? I'm not looking for a slacker, I like riding a safe bike.

I took the bike to the vehicle testing station in Albany yesterday...is that the same one you are talking about??

The guy there hopped on and rode off on the bike-to test the brakes...no helmet and all

[Laava]

Guess that once in a while the WOF people read the WOF requirements book and then select something they've not checked for a while and hammer it

The same applies to building inspectors, cops and fisheries inspectors in my experience. Used to go to a rural garage in my area, walk in and ask for a wof. "Did you drive it here?" was the test.:done:

[scumdog]

Hmm, I notice a bit of a theme with some of you - a pre-existing 'fault' of some sort passes x number of WOFs and then gets picked up at your latest WOF -and you go spare over it.

Getting through previous warrants with an undetected 'fault' (either by subtefuge or ignorances) does not make the 'fault' 'O.K.' for the current WOF.

[Ixion]

I wonder, particularly with the VTNZ chain type places, if there is some sort of quota system in place.

After all, if a VTNZ place never failed anyone someone would raise an eyebrow.

So do they have a system where the place gets told "The average for failing on excessive noise is x%. You are only failing y%. You must be too soft on that. Tighten up". ?

[Ixion]

Hmm, I notice a bit of a theme with some of you - a pre-existing 'fault' of some sort passes x number of WOFs and then gets picked up at your latest WOF -and you go spare over it.

Getting through previous warrants with an undetected 'fault' (either by subtefuge or ignorances) does not make the 'fault' 'O.K.' for the current WOF.

Well, that is valid if the fault is a yes/no type thing. Brakes for instance are tested on the Tapley thingy. If the number is less than the required figure, then it fails, and there should be no argument.

But something like noise is very subjective. Perhaps it passed before because it really is not too noisey. But the new tester gets migraines and has a particular hatred of noisey vehicles. HE (and maybe only he) thinks it is too noisey. I very much dislike having subjective shit in a warrant, especially the perceptual stuff like noise.

[Dooly]

Motu, sometimes inspectors go to another areas for a few weeks of the year, to check places. I guess to try and catch you out etc.

We had a spot check a while back, he walked in at lunch time when every guy had gone to lunch and demanded to see a car we had checked that day.
He then wanted me to scrape the WOF off because he found a small crack in the screen, which was not a failure length or in the zone.
I pointed out that I thought he was being pedantic, so he relented and made me write on the WOF sheet that there was a crack in the screen, but it was ok.

Fuckin numpty head.

[disenfranchised]

Yeah. They failed my car yesterday for .... get this: dirty headlights.

apprently they have "no focus" is what they called it, and I'll have to go buy some polish and polish it up with some elbow grease.... damn.... can anyone recommend good products for polishing up headlight lens?

I got a warning about this last time, asked a garage, and all they did was rub the lights with Jif

[Pixie]

It sounds like the inspectors are even bigger twats than the testers.Perhaps the rose through the ranks.
The whole wof thing is a load of crap.Many countries don't even do one.The cops give defect notices when they do a stop.
When the cops here do a wof and reg check here,they check to see if the vehicle has a current label.Their eyes never once glance down to see if the tyres are bald or the brake lights work.

[Pixie]

I got a warning about this last time, asked a garage, and all they did was rub the lights with Jif

This will be great for a polycarbonate lens.Do they buy you a new $500 headlight assembly when they fuck it up?

[pervert]

Their eyes never once glance down to see if the tyres are bald or the brake lights work.

Bullshit, cops quite often check tread depth!!!

I know quite a few people who have been green stickered for bald tyres from a roadside stop.

[Phils Motorcycles]

Something seems to be happening at our local VTNZ station. A couple of months back we submitted a brand spanking new GN250. It was rejected for having an American spec headlight that pointed the wrong way when on low beam. So we swapped it for a GN250 headlight that out of a bike that had passed 30 minutes earlier. It passed. When we talked to Suzuki about the problem they said it's impossible because there isn't an American spec headlight for the GN250 ............

Since then I've heard of 5 people that have had their bikes rejected for the headlight being American/foreign spec (those are only the ones that went straight to the nearest bike shop, many no doubt went home instead). Every single one that I've talked to has been told to go to a different testing station passed.

Not only does this sort of thing make a mockery of the system, it's costing people a lot of money where money doesn't need to be spent.

[terbang]

It used to be
SPEED KILLS

Now we have
NOISE KILLS

Shhhh someone might die..

[El Dopa]

Has anyone got a good WOF shop on the Shore? I'm not looking for a slacker, I like riding a safe bike.

Go to the wreckers just up the road from Cycletreads on Barrys Pt road. Can't remember the name, but he's down one of the little alleys off to the left as you go down the road towards the motorway - about 30m before Cycletreads.

He knows bikes. Last WOF I had, he mentioned that one of my braided brake lines was a bit short, and if the front over-extended coming off a bump, it might rip out of the fittings (didn't fail me on it). Seemed like sensible advice, so I got the line changed.

[Motu]

So do they have a system where the place gets told "The average for failing on excessive noise is x%. You are only failing y%. You must be too soft on that. Tighten up". ?

They monitor our pass/fail rate - obviously a new car dealership would have a 98% pass rate with no concern,but the same pass rate in Otara would be suspicious.100% pass rate at the dealers might draw attention too.A tyre shop only failing on tyres is not a good look either.My pass/fail rate varies between 25 and 50%.

[Motu]

and I'll have to go buy some polish and polish it up with some elbow grease.... damn.... can anyone recommend good products for polishing up headlight lens?

Don't do it - it actualy destroys the pattern and you'll fail again.Get another lamp.Shit,owning vehicles is expensive eh?

[Dooly]

They monitor our pass/fail rate - obviously a new car dealership would have a 98% pass rate with no concern,but the same pass rate in Otara would be suspicious.100% pass rate at the dealers might draw attention too.A tyre shop only failing on tyres is not a good look either.My pass/fail rate varies between 25 and 50%.


Yep.

I was told that in our non franchise shop we were expected to fail a certain amount of WOFs due to us doing mostly non new vehicles.
The 'expected' was due to the age and condition of older vehicles.
Each inspector can be checked up on how many they fail and pass at any time.
He said to me that something must be wrong with my ratio as I had passed over 90% of vehicles I had checked in the prior month.
I pointed out that it can vary as I had only done WOFs on mainly near new vehicles and they were all fine, whereas one of the other guys had done most of his on older and shitters, so his fail, or pass/fail WOFs were higher.
He could'nt understand what I was meaning.........or did'nt want to.
Mind you......he's a pom, and never worked in a garage over here.

[Citroenjunkie]

I have also given up on VTNZ it seems that at Takanini all vehicles driven by guys fail on something. I stood in the queue a few weeks ago and watched every guy that came in there get failed on something while the attractive lady sailed through! Also, dont argue with the testers. The pedantic old fart (is there a minimum age for testers?) gave me a long lecture, complete with visual aids to explain why my car failed its warrant because the coloured indicator bulb had faded and were not exactly the same orange colour as the side repeaters! They have been the same colour for four years, since I bought the car...he didn't care and failed it anyway! c@nt! He also said that the steering ball joint needed replacing, second warrant in a row, same place, different car, same fault...?

It seems to take me a long time to get the message, but I won't get stung a third time. I would also never take my bike there. The idea of one of those bumbling old farts riding my bike scares me shitless!

I know there are professional, honest testers out there, there are also, trustworthy lawyers, and second hand car dealers you'd introduce to your kid sister....right..?
:ride:

[Motu]

I couldn't give a fuck either - I don't care whether your vehicle passed it's WoF ten times before...today it's a fail,now fuck off and go cry somewhere else!

Oh,by the way,don't bring your bike or car here please....I'd rather you give someone else the bad rep.

[pete376403]

VTNZ Upper Hutt wanted to fail my bike on "non-compliant" brake hoses (s/s braided) until I pointed out the appropriate numbers (Fren-Turbo hoses, fully approved). Still mumbled away about how non standard hoses were less satisfactory than OEM bulgy rubber ones. Aparently with the braided cover you can't see the cracks developing in the rubber pipes underneath, completely ignoring the fact that the pipe is teflon, not rubber).
He nearly dropped the bike while testing the brakes, locked the front on smooth wet concrete and was very lucky not to end up with the bike on top of himself. (would that be a pass or a fail?)

Also, like another poster, at Tory St VTNZ I have had my work car failed for "empty windscreen washer bottle" - was very tempted to piss in in right there and then, and ask for a retest.

[Motu]

I have had my work car failed for "empty windscreen washer bottle"

It's the owners responsability to keep the car up to WoF standard - fill your washer bottle before going next time....you know it's a requirement after all....don't you?

[pete376403]

Actually, no. I knew the wipers had to work efficiently, but not every car has windscreen washers (my mums 1962 Humber 90 didn't)

[Ixion]

Windscreen washers only required for first rego after 1/1/92. Don't need power driven wipers before 1960.
Sigh. I wish the testers would learn the dates. The arguments I have with them about brake lights.

[Motu]

You need washers after 1992 - of course your washers have had fluid in every time you have gone for a WoF before,this time they are empty and it's a fail.Sounds random - but the randomness if from your part in not keeping the fluid topped up.I have no sympathy with this one,but I can see why people get upset.

[riffer]

He nearly dropped the bike while testing the brakes, locked the front on smooth wet concrete and was very lucky not to end up with the bike on top of himself. (would that be a pass or a fail?)

Sounds a bit odd for VTNZ Upper Hutt. I get my vehicles all checked there, and make sure that I get Gary for them.

While checking over the bike we always discuss the maintenance done on the bike over the previous 6 months, and any up and coming maintenance on the bike, and he makes suggestions of things I could look at and things that just aren't worth doing.

I'd had nothing but good service from VTNZ Upper Hutt.

If I had any advice on dealing with WOF people it would be that if you make sure your bike is well maintained, discuss what you've done to it and what you intend to do with it, and generally don't come across as a know-it-all you'll get an honest assessment of your vehicle.

Like Motu I'm surprised that some of you are complaining that something that's been missed has just been caught.

[Timber020]

This was for a 4wd but VTNZ tory failed mine on rust. 3k later it was repaired, truck had to go through new wof as it took 32 days to do and they found another 4k's worth of rust they missed the first time.

Useless doesnt begin to to describe them at times

[peasea]

Sunnybrae Road, is that where you went?

[peasea]

too bloody right, decibel meter to the front or fuck off

[peasea]

You're onto it. Money down the drain when things are quite safe. It's enough to make you move to Iraq. Hmm, maybe not.

[peasea]

Okay, fair comment. I'd just like to say that there needs to be some sort of standard, fair test, that's all. No biker wants to put his arse on a shitter without brakes etc and if they don't have the nouse to sort their mechanicals out then they need saving from themselves. What is the right answer? tell me that.

[peasea]

Wow! I really didn't think I'd light such a big fire but it just goes to show how inconsistent the testing procedure is and how many vehicle owners suffer the same bollocks. I'd like to thank those who took the time to post their comments and I'd urge you all to read the outcome in NZ Petrolhead magazine. I am the only bike rider on the staff and apart from featuring some very cool bikes I also like to promote motorcycling in a general, positive light. I also contribute to Bike Rider Magazine and any input that you might have regarding biking issues is more than welcome in either magazine.

Again, many thanks for your time and input.
Ride anyway you want, just get there.
pc

[sexy beast]

true all that. inconsistant WOF testers everywhere. half of them dont even know the whole book of law (well you dont have to) but at least know whats allowed and whats not. i can say the same for license testers.
i guess they cant be robots, coz they are after all humans!!! BUT pretty DORKY ones toooooo!!!!!!
i must say though, there are still some pretty "decent" testers around still.
i've had good experience with VTNZ in cavendish drive in Manukau, try them if you're in the area.

[Rhino]

If I had any advice on dealing with WOF people it would be that if you make sure your bike is well maintained, discuss what you've done to it and what you intend to do with it, and generally don't come across as a know-it-all you'll get an honest assessment of your vehicle.

Like Motu I'm surprised that some of you are complaining that something that's been missed has just been caught.
I agree with you Riffer. I usually take the `Wing to VTNZ Kingsland (Auckland) and invariably it gets checked over by one of the bike riding testers there. They have always been straight with me.

As Motu says, if they pickup something that I have missed in my maintenance, then that is no skin off my nose.

They never ride the bike, but always watch me carry out the "Braking Test. If I get the WOF done out of town (on holiday or whatever) it is always difficult to explain that as the bike has linked brakes, standing on the rear brake will not lock the back wheel, it also applies one front disc.

The worst experience I had with a WOF was the tosser in Tauranga who wanted me to put the bike on the brake rollers to check the brakes. Once I pointed out that it might not be a good idea to stand next to the bike, in case 400kg of Wing slid sideways and knocked him on his arse, he decided that wasn't a good idea.:gob:

[Will]

Interesting reading

My experience with VTNZ Takanini has all been good. Not only do I take my bike there but also the cars, trailer and boat trailer. Everything but my bike has been failed at some stage for various reasons and it has all been explained to me. No problems.

With the previous bike WOF, I was given it for over a year:gob:

The story goes like this:
I thought my bike was due for a WOF so off I went just after Christmas to get another. The date was washed away but I could read 2005 so I left it till the last of 2005 to get another. Did the test, and by the way, I rode it to do the brake test, they wont. Chap goes in to get the sticker and comes out puzzled. Asked if I was selling the bike. Negative! Why? Well, it seems that the WOF doesn't expire for another 3 months (It was a young model and only needed a yearly WOF) would I like to leave it at that? Oh, no I said, I'm here now so I will have the latest one. So he comes back out and because he has a 2 week discrepency he made the date for the next WOF Jan 2007:rockon:

Yes, I have just gone back to the same place and got another WOF. Always pass easily with the bike. It looks & sounds stock-standard but I have done some modifications to the height. Unfortunately the bike is of an age where I will have to go every 6 months now. It's always good for a social chat though. Everyone talks to you when you have a bike.:yes:

[What?]

The worst experience I had with a WOF was the tosser in Tauranga...

Yep - them's the bastards that got me pissed off. 3 times (OK - I'm a slow learner) they failed me on non-existant faults. The last time, I took my Holden into the shop to get something fixed and the mechanic rang me and said "You've been to the testing station, haven't you? We get this sort of crap all the time."
Then there's the saga of my trailer tyres...

[mikey62]

Took the bike to one of those VTNZ places and the guy failed me on my rear tyre A: because it was marginal (could handle thet) but B: because he noticed a small metallic speck and said it was a nail. Ok no probs get the bike home and picked the small metallic speck out and it was the leg end of a staple ! Rode back and showed the guy the staple and got my little sticker. Still got the tyre done.

[Motu]

What is the right answer? tell me that.

What is the right question - we need to start there.

What always makes me laugh on these WoF threads is how people get upset when their vehicle fails on a valid fault....and also get upset when it passes on their percieved fault that isn't relavent.The customers have no idea what comprises the WoF test,but are always willing to comment....

[pervert]

The customers have no idea what comprises the WoF test,but are always willing to comment....

What makes me laugh is that plenty of WOF inspectors have no idea what should pass and what should fail either...some don't even know what the LVVTA is...:laugh:

[Ixion]

It should be born in mind that many of the motorcycle testers are not really bikers. Either they rode a bit 30 years ago and still have a grandfathered class 6 licence (like Helen Clark) or they ride a scooter (like the guy at my local place - nice enough guy, but clueless as).

[Flyingpony]

With the previous bike WOF, I was given it for over a year:gob:
That is a nice surprise!
Though, ring LTSA to confirm it's not a misprint. Discovered on my bike recently while preparing for it's annual WOF, thought they'd given me an 18 month slip but then it clicked, 6 months ... as in ... it expired 6 months ago :shit:
Rang LTSA and she was still valid, just slip was wrong :love:

[avgas]

I agree with you Riffer. I usually take the `Wing to VTNZ Kingsland (Auckland) and invariably it gets checked over by one of the bike riding testers there. They have always been straight with me.
Hate to rain on the parade here, but its the kingsland wof place that is stuffing me around now, been getting wof's from there for about 6 years. Only in the last year has things been getting a bit silly. Its the chinese chap and one of the indians that seem to give me the strife.

[avgas]

It should be born in mind that many of the motorcycle testers are not really bikers. Either they rode a bit 30 years ago and still have a grandfathered class 6 licence (like Helen Clark) or they ride a scooter (like the guy at my local place - nice enough guy, but clueless as).
Very true, im no power systems engineer - but likewise if i have a problem that i think the customer understands, i at least ask him.
How come the wof testers cant do the same. Are we suppose to call their bluff all the time?

[Ixion]

Hate to rain on the parade here, but its the kingsland wof place that is stuffing me around now, been getting wof's from there for about 6 years. Only in the last year has things been getting a bit silly. Its the chinese chap and one of the indians that seem to give me the strife.

This seems to be a common theme. Ask Mr Motu about Indian WoF testers.

[Flyingpony]

This seems to be a common theme. Ask Mr Motu about Indian WoF testers.
The Irish/Scottish ones are the bees knees! Funny people they are, real good too.

[Motu]

The Irish/Scottish ones are the bees knees! Funny people they are, real good too.

Thank you - at least something positive has come out of this thread!

[scumdog]

Thank you - at least something positive has come out of this thread!

Yeah wel I ain't got my Thunderbird vin'd YET!
Just wait until that uproar hits KB - you'll be thankful you don't do vins too!!!

[TLDV8]

My experience with VTNZ Takanini has all been good.

I to have had no problems at Takanini.

*
The guy who does bikes there is the only one and he rides too.
One time my washer bottle was empty but they filled it,same for a headlight which was adjusted also.

The only time (and that person is gone now) i had a problem of any sort was when i had a Tui's moment.
The guy had just come off the brake tester and i was watching as he came to a halt out side.
Just as he was pulling up the R/H brakelight went out (which had passed only minutes before.
When he got out, i was retarded enough to say... You won't believe it but the brake light just blew :laugh:...... He said,really,thats a fail then.. :shutup:

Actually the last WoF i failed was due to a starting to perish power steering belt which i had never given a thought to.
I changed all three (PS / AC / Alt ) and the front cover seal while i was at it.
I like to think the WoF can be good for preventive maintenance like that.
Things are a little different to thirty years ago when you would pray some POS would pass,the days of flat batteries and running out of petrol..There seems to be a lot less drama these days :confused:

[Motu]

Yeah wel I ain't got my Thunderbird vin'd YET!
Just wait until that uproar hits KB - you'll be thankful you don't do vins too!!!

I presume it's not a 6T. Is it a wedgy one with the swing away steering wheel to allow fat guts to to slide in and out of the seat? No mere mortal could afford the gorgeous first model.

[scumdog]

I presume it's not a 6T. Is it a wedgy one with the swing away steering wheel to allow fat guts to to slide in and out of the seat? No mere mortal could afford the gorgeous first model.

It's a '66 Town Landau , swing-away wheel, power seat, hydraulic wipers, sequential indicators, foot operated 'parking-brake' that comes off when you pull the shifter out of "P" and power disc brakes (vented with four-pot calipers factory) that you just have to breathe on to bring the whole 2,200kg to a shuddering halt - oooh yeah, gotta love this lardy-arsed lady!!!

[Motu]

And a 460 putting out 40hp with all the crap it's loaded down with.At least it's pre emmission.Sequental indicators are cool,and people think I'm crazy when I say such things exist....coz they've never seen it eh?

[scumdog]

And a 460 putting out 40hp with all the crap it's loaded down with.At least it's pre emmission.Sequental indicators are cool,and people think I'm crazy when I say such things exist....coz they've never seen it eh?

Ah, she's only a 'Z' code - 390
A 'Q' code (428) was out of this boys 'budget'

The hydraulic wipers are a dag - run off the power-steering pump, infinite level of wiper speed.
(But can't run 'em with the engine not running)

[Motu]

Ah, she's only a 'Z' code - 390
A 'Q' code (428) was out of this boys 'budget'

The hydraulic wipers are a dag - run off the power-steering pump, infinite level of wiper speed.
(But can't run 'em with the engine not running)

Uh oh,that's really going to confuse the Indians at the testing station,they'll just tick fail and refuse to talk about it.Vacuum wipers were a pain,but I always liked the Vauxhall method - run off the camshaft.So on a Zephyr when you put your foot down going up a hill the wipers stopped,but in a Velox you changed down to 2nd and they went crazy.

A 390 is still a big block,so you still have bragging rights.

[peasea]

Well, I got a speeding ticket today, 70 in a 50 on a real steep downhill run, and that cop didn't look at my tyres. He asked for my license and I offered him my Visa proclaiming that was what he really wanted. He didn't have eftpos either. Safety my arse, we all know the score it's cat and mouse in a money-go-round.

[peasea]

There's nothing good in Auckland. Twelve more months to go.......

[SuperDave]

If the only VTNZ testing station on the Shore is the one near Constellation Drive then I gotta fully agree that they're a lazy bunch. I rocked up for a test once on my old 250 and they told me that they couldn't do it then because their 'bike guy' wasn't there. The checks on all my previous WOF's were pretty simplistic, the most worthwhile check they did was checking the wheel bearings, so why one the 'car guys' couldn't have done it then fuck knows.

[terbang]

Here is a question for all you WOF testers out there. Was in Pukekohe yesterday and I watched a flatdeck ute going around a corner and it was pissing diesel all over the road. It was obviously coming from a faulty vent or cap. He just gave all who followed the equivelant to bald tyres. The latent issues of such a fault can have terrible consequences, especially for a motorcycle. Are you supposed to look for these sort of faults..?

[Motu]

Yep,we are supposed to look at the filler cap - those push in jobs and rags are not legal anymore.So you are holding whoever issued the WoF responsable for the fact that the owner forgot to fit the cap when he filled the tank 20 minutes before you saw it?

[Ixion]

If the only VTNZ testing station on the Shore is the one near Constellation Drive then I gotta fully agree that they're a lazy bunch. I rocked up for a test once on my old 250 and they told me that they couldn't do it then because their 'bike guy' wasn't there. The checks on all my previous WOF's were pretty simplistic, the most worthwhile check they did was checking the wheel bearings, so why one the 'car guys' couldn't have done it then fuck knows.

Cos the tester has to be certified on the vehicle class in question (and have a driver's licence for that class). Otherwise it's not legal. Why most garage places can't do bikes.

[Ixion]

Yep,we are supposed to look at the filler cap - those push in jobs and rags are not legal anymore.,,


Yith. I got caught on that in the Prelude a year or so back, just after the changed rule came in. It had had a push in for years, too. "But it was OK last time - wah wah wah :cry: ". Walked over to the Repco shop next door , $19, all good.

[terbang]

So you are holding whoever issued the WoF responsable for the fact that the owner forgot to fit the cap when he filled the tank 20 minutes before you saw it?

No not at all but I do see a fair bit of fuel ETC on the road from time to time and yesterdays incident got me thinking.

[Motu]

Fuel won't spray out of a cap...even no cap,unless it was overfill just recently.Most filler points are a long way away and a lot higher than the tank.The WoF requirement is because in an accident the push in cap just gets blown out and fuel sprays everywhere.And you know what happens when a car chasing 007 goes over a cliff - instant firebomb....well in the movies anyway.It does happen that fuel leaks out,but not as much as you think - most of the leaking diesel comes from trucks,their filler caps are right on the tank,and there is a lot more weight of fuel to push through a faulty seal.