Warrant system, when are they going to change it to be less a pain in the arse?

[vtec]

Having six monthly warrants is retarded and huge example of nanny state. I've been living and travelling abroad for the last couple of years, and NZ is the only place where they require detailed vehicle "safety" (or rather legislative adherence) checks every six months. If you've got a few vehicles such as a car a motorbike and a trailer, it feels like your vehicles are perpetually lapsing. Not to mention the cost to the economy and the decrease to efficiency. What are your opinions.

[vtec]

forgot the option, of only requiring checks when safety hazards are identified by police. This has been inspired by the latest nzherald article about the ducati fatality, they mentioned that it was unwarranted, well in my opinion that's because warrants lapse way too fast and not because of safety concerns. Did they need to mention the lapsed warrant and was it relevant in my opinion no, what is relevant is if the brakes failed or the tyres were past the wear indicators apart from that I can't think what would be relevant to a Ducati hitting a tree in terms of vehicle failure.

[CookMySock]

If kiwis maintained their vehicles properly they wouldn't need a bunch of rules. Seriously, it's only a 20 minute check, and its more about trying to SAVE your gay ass rather than inconveniencing it.

I have got two cars, two work vans, a trailer, and three road bikes so I know what you are saying.

I say leave it as it is.

Steve

[Aa7]

Having six monthly warrants is retarded and huge example of nanny state. I've been living and travelling abroad for the last couple of years, and NZ is the only place where they require detailed vehicle "safety" (or rather legislative adherence) checks every six months. If you've got a few vehicles such as a car a motorbike and a trailer, it feels like your vehicles are perpetually lapsing. Not to mention the cost to the economy and the decrease to efficiency. What are your opinions.

and NZ is also one of the few countries that willingly imports and sells used vehicles that other countries have deemed unsafe for their roads so go figure??? the checks are there for YOURS and EVERY other road users safety not to hinder your use and enjoyment of said vehicles. Would you prefer that there where bi-annual shake-downs of your vehicles and any vehicle that is over four years old gets a real rogering and needs most of the consumable parts and more than likely some structural parts replaced before it is even allowed again to be used on the roads??? while you where traveling did you also notice that NZ has probably the oldest fleet of vehicles on its public roads too?

[JimO]

and NZ is also one of the few countries that willingly imports and sells used vehicles that other countries have deemed unsafe for their roads so go figure??? the checks are there for YOURS and EVERY other road users safety not to hinder your use and enjoyment of said vehicles. Would you prefer that there where bi-annual shake-downs of your vehicles and any vehicle that is over four years old gets a real rogering and needs most of the consumable parts and more than likely some structural parts replaced before it is even allowed again to be used on the roads??? while you where traveling did you also notice that NZ has probably the oldest fleet of vehicles on its public roads too?

really??? all the imports being sold here are a vast improvement of the fleet of aging pommy crap that everyone drove pre import days

[Morcs]

Kiwis in general are quite stupid when it comes to vehicle maintance, they think because they have a warrant, that the vehicle must be sweet.
Then they neglect things like servicing...

In the UK you dont have any checks in the first 3 years from new, then you have a yearly MOT every year. much better system.

[BOGAR]

I would love to say once a year WOF minimum, but there are too many people out there where the only check the vehicle gets is when it goes for a WOF. Often that is not soon enough. I would be for a system where if you get a WOF without any major things (i.e one number plate light out) then you get it for 12 months if there are too many things or anything major its 6 or even 3 months. Also reduced to 3-6 months if stopped for anything.

[MSTRS]

...huge example of nanny state....
Really? I've been operating vehicles for 36 years and it's always been 6 monthly wofs. It seems to work, and despite the regular hassle to prove your vehicle(s) are up to scratch, why change something that isn't broken.

... imports being sold here are a vast improvement of the fleet of aging pommy crap that everyone drove pre import days

But, but, but....all cars are better than 'back then'. Still no reason to neglect them.

[Mully]

The trouble with NZ is that we have too many fuckwits, who don't bother to keep their vehicles in good order.

Much like speed limits, they therefore must dumb the system down to the lowest common denominator.

I'd rather have these people checked than have them running around putting my life at risk

It's a pain in the arse, but I can't think of a better system.

(btw, the Ducati could have run off the road because it slipped on something dropped from another vehicle that didn't have a WOF)

[Dealer]

Current WOF system is 1 year wof for vehicles up to 6 years old (from time of 1st registration) and then 6 monthly wof after that. Which IMHO is a perfectly good system, as the older a vehicle gets, the more it deteriorates.
However, they could put a clause in for vehicles returned to as new condition, i.e rebuilt.
Is it so hard to get a wof if your vehicle is in good condition? my bike passes every time, though i got a warning once about low brake pads, which i then replaced.

[Pixie]

forgot the option, of only requiring checks when safety hazards are identified by police. This has been inspired by the latest nzherald article about the ducati fatality, they mentioned that it was unwarranted, well in my opinion that's because warrants lapse way too fast and not because of safety concerns. Did they need to mention the lapsed warrant and was it relevant in my opinion no, what is relevant is if the brakes failed or the tyres were past the wear indicators apart from that I can't think what would be relevant to a Ducati hitting a tree in terms of vehicle failure.

This would require cops diverting their attention from their donuts

[xwhatsit]

I've been living and travelling abroad for the last couple of years, and NZ is the only place where they require detailed vehicle "safety" (or rather legislative adherence) checks every six months.
True that the UK's MOT checks aren't every six months -- they're yearly -- but nonetheless they still have them and they're far more detailed than what we do here. They do all sorts of things WOF inspectors here aren't allowed to do (visual external check only) and the machines are kept to a higher standard.

In Queensland, there's nothing. Not at all. No checks in the slightest. For the most part in Brisbane people drive around in fancy new Mazdas or Toyotas or Holdens or Fords; but you often see the most painfully dangerous pieces of crap rolling along too. If a policeman stops you he can give you a ticket but of course there's a lot that slips through the cracks.

[Pixie]

Current WOF system is 1 year wof for vehicles up to 6 years old (from time of 1st registration) and then 6 monthly wof after that. Which IMHO is a perfectly good system, as the older a vehicle gets, the more it deteriorates.
However, they could put a clause in for vehicles returned to as new condition, i.e rebuilt.
Is it so hard to get a wof if your vehicle is in good condition? my bike passes every time, though i got a warning once about low brake pads, which i then replaced.

I had a testing station MENSA candidate test my bike's spokes for tightness once.- on a cast alloy wheel

Saved my life it did

[vtec]

I really don't agree with the safety thing. Living in Aussie last year, they don't get warrant checks at all, there are some shitheaps around, but they have a far lower crash rate than NZ. Actually my younger brother just had a pretty nasty accident, but that was totally driver error, his car was old but had been well looked after, I inspected it for him when I was still there. It's destroyed now. I think most people are capable of driving to their vehicles ability. There are cars that pass warrants etc but have skinny useless or sunhardened tyres and you don't see them crashing all the time. Stop being soft people. Over here in the states, they do emissions testing yearly I think something NZ doesn't do, but I think the safety checks if anything are far less rigorous than in NZ.

Numbers are starting to agree with me.

[davebullet]

It should be mileage based or minimum one year. A vehicle is unlikely to rust to death in 1 year. Conversely if I drive only 3,000kms per year, do I really need a WOF every 1,500kms when garaged and no rust? (PS: the ol' 92 honda accord sh1ter passed her WOF today as it happens without any issues)....

[Headbanger]

In Queensland, there's nothing. Not at all. No checks in the slightest. For the most part in Brisbane people drive around in fancy new Mazdas or Toyotas or Holdens or Fords; but you often see the most painfully dangerous pieces of crap rolling along too. If a policeman stops you he can give you a ticket but of course there's a lot that slips through the cracks.

Not quite true, You are required to keep your vehicle in roadworthy condition and they have a number of mobile testing facilities. In the couple of years I spent in Brisbane I saw them a number of times and they had a cop pulling every slightly older or dodgy looking car out of the line of traffic and over to be tested.

That's not to say the system works very well......and I'd imagine its anything goes outside the main centres.

[AllanB]

Wheres the option 'suck it up mate'?

One point to mention is the people who drive really dangerous pieces of crap don't get warrants anyway. A while back I reported a old Holden parked in a supermarket carpark that had kids seats in the back, no rego or WOF (expired years ago), 4 tyres way down into the cords, broken lights etc.

The council was very eager to run out and cover it in tickets - they missed the point - they should have towed the pice of crap off the streets.

[NinjaNanna]

It should be mileage based or minimum one year. A vehicle is unlikely to rust to death in 1 year. Conversely if I drive only 3,000kms per year, do I really need a WOF every 1,500kms when garaged and no rust? (PS: the ol' 92 honda accord sh1ter passed her WOF today as it happens without any issues)....


Now that's common sense for you, if it works for things that the government really cares about ie RUC distance licenses, then why shouldn't it work for WOFs.

[tri boy]

"Mr Motu, Mr Ixion, please report to the white courtesy ph.":whistle:

[tigertim20]

forgot the option, of only requiring checks when safety hazards are identified by police. This has been inspired by the latest nzherald article about the ducati fatality, they mentioned that it was unwarranted, well in my opinion that's because warrants lapse way too fast and not because of safety concerns. Did they need to mention the lapsed warrant and was it relevant in my opinion no, what is relevant is if the brakes failed or the tyres were past the wear indicators apart from that I can't think what would be relevant to a Ducati hitting a tree in terms of vehicle failure.

I feel that the police have already inested more time money and infrastructure than is necessary "policing" vehicles. No to mention the lack of trust I have in the average cops ability to diagnose faults beyond bald tyres and cut springs. Do you really want to encourage them to be even more persistent in pulling over every vehicle they can? especiallyconsidering the (apparently non existent-yeah right) quota system they already have..

Warrants to me arent so much about whther or not MY vehicle is safe, its about whether or not all the other mechanically retarded vehicle operators out there have kept their vehicles safe, cos an unsafe vehicle is a danger to everyone on the road, not just the person driving it.
My 2 cents worth anyway

[Skyryder]

It should have been changed to one year when the WOF's were privatised.

They were not for a variety of reasons one of which is that there is double the turnover every six months as against one check a year so this made the WOF check centres more valuable and as such the Govt. (Labour I think) flogged them off at more dollars with a six month check than say for twelve months.

New vehicles can go with one year checks for five years.

It's unlikely that this or the six month figure will change.

What needs to be done is for this to go to one year for all vehicles and a two year check for five years of new one's. If a vehicle is pulled over by the police or if they deem this to be unsafe then they should be given the powers to require the vehicle to undergo a new warrent. Not a fine but the power to require that the vehicle is up to a road worthy state. Just some loose thoughts.


skyryder

[mashman]

I think the UK, having come from there, should adopt the NZ way. Cars in the UK rust within about 3 - 4 years, to what degree usually depoends on how well the vehicle is cleaned. For 5 months of the year, in some parts of the UK, the roads are covered in salt to prevent icing. This can ruin new cars and bikes over a single winter, destroying seals and corroding anywhere where the metalwork/bodywork has a chip in it from the grit they spread along with the salt... Leave your system the way it is... i'll lok after mine and as i can't trust you guys to look after yours, the gubmint gonna have to do it for me!!!

[sharknet]

I had a testing station MENSA candidate test my bike's spokes for tightness once.- on a cast alloy wheel

Saved my life it did

:bash:
Probably the same guy who insisted that my driveshaft-shaft applied parking brake was uneven on the left rear...

[peasea]

The trouble with NZ is that we have too many fuckwits, who don't bother to keep their vehicles in good order.

Much like speed limits, they therefore must dumb the system down to the lowest common denominator.

I'd rather have these people checked than have them running around putting my life at risk

It's a pain in the arse, but I can't think of a better system.

(btw, the Ducati could have run off the road because it slipped on something dropped from another vehicle that didn't have a WOF)

Couldn't agree more. With 30yrs in the motor trade behind me I have to say that people generally have no idea what goes on under the skin of their vehicle. If you were able to sue the pants off some dork for running into you because of some defect on their vehicle then said dork might take more of an interest in having services done more regularly.

But you can't, so they don't.

Fear not; nanny will take care of everything.

[Hitcher]

A Warrant of Fitness should be part of a mandatory third-party insurance scheme.

[Kiwi34]

The trouble with NZ is that we have too many fuckwits, who don't bother to keep their vehicles in good order.

Much like speed limits, they therefore must dumb the system down to the lowest common denominator.

I'd rather have these people checked than have them running around putting my life at risk

It's a pain in the arse, but I can't think of a better system.

(btw, the Ducati could have run off the road because it slipped on something dropped from another vehicle that didn't have a WOF)

These are the people who don't.... get warrant of fitness.....get car insurance, .....get drivers licence, ....pay court fines, Warrant of fitness system is a burden only for honest people.:crybaby:

[Ixion]

L's see.

BMWs front tyre is down to the tie bars, but it's got a warrant so it must be safe
Petals rear wheel has collapsed, 24 broken spokes 6 inches of lateral movement at the rim- but it's got a WoF so that's all good
Phoebes front brake lever keeps hitting the handlebar, but it's got a WoF so it must just be some minor adjustment
People keep trying to tell me the arzhole's headlamp isn't working but it's got a WoF so they must be wrong
Everything's kosher on the scrap iron pile, but then, there never was anything much to start with - no indicators, no stoplight, headlamp doesn't illuminate anything, brakes never worked.
Headlamp switch on ffwwabbitt has gone dicky, won't turn on, but it's warranted so I don't need to worry about it.

I'm so glad all my bikes have warrants, so I don't have to worry about them being safe.

[alanzs]

Oh yeah, my '96 Toyota Starlet (wanna be muscle car) with 18,000k's on it passed it's warrant yesterday. I barely drive the car...

[tri boy]

Hitcher has it right.:yes:
I personally don't have an issue with 6mth warrants.
Like Peasea, I have spent a few years in the trade, but still value another set of trained eyes giving my bikes and cars a once over.
Find a good/great WOF outlet, and give them your business.

As a side note, talking to my local wof shop, I was told they need to inspect 600 m/cycles a year to make it worth while, cover set up costs.
they are lucky in that they also do COF, and the bike warrants, (or lack of) are rolled into the COF costs by the accountants.

[mynameis]

L's see.

BMWs front tyre is down to the tie bars, but it's got a warrant so it must be safe
Petals rear wheel has collapsed, 24 broken spokes 6 inches of lateral movement at the rim- but it's got a WoF so that's all good
Phoebes front brake lever keeps hitting the handlebar, but it's got a WoF so it must just be some minor adjustment
People keep trying to tell me the arzhole's headlamp isn't working but it's got a WoF so they must be wrong
Everything's kosher on the scrap iron pile, but then, there never was anything much to start with - no indicators, no stoplight, headlamp doesn't illuminate anything, brakes never worked.
Headlamp switch on ffwwabbitt has gone dicky, won't turn on, but it's warranted so I don't need to worry about it.

I'm so glad all my bikes have warrants, so I don't have to worry about them being safe.

Oscar Widle once said: "Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit"

[BMWST?]

.............................. If a vehicle is pulled over by the police or if they deem this to be unsafe then they should be given the powers to require the vehicle to undergo a new warrent. Not a fine but the power to require that the vehicle is up to a road worthy state. Just some loose thoughts.


skyryder

that is the case now....just cos your car has a warrant doesnt mean the Police cant give you a ticket for a blown taillight of worn tires.It is up to ebryy vehicle owner to KEEP the vehicle in a Warrantable condition at all times

[sunhuntin]

I think the UK, having come from there, should adopt the NZ way. Cars in the UK rust within about 3 - 4 years, to what degree usually depoends on how well the vehicle is cleaned. For 5 months of the year, in some parts of the UK, the roads are covered in salt to prevent icing. This can ruin new cars and bikes over a single winter, destroying seals and corroding anywhere where the metalwork/bodywork has a chip in it from the grit they spread along with the salt... Leave your system the way it is... i'll lok after mine and as i can't trust you guys to look after yours, the gubmint gonna have to do it for me!!!

yep... an old ex of mine has a 65 panhead harley... he lives in canada. he told me that he took the bike out one night just at the start of winter [not enough snow to make him put the bike away, but enough to warrent ice] and he said he didnt bother wiping the bike down after. by the next morning, his chrome was basically stuffed. he had the get the exhaust rechromed, and the rest he actually sanded back moving through finer grains until the shine came back.

[Mully]

These are the people who don't.... get warrant of fitness.....get car insurance, .....get drivers licence, ....pay court fines, Warrant of fitness system is a burden only for honest people.:crybaby:

Agreed - I was referring to the Numpties who have no idea, rather than those who can't be bothered.

[Indiana_Jones]

While I can see the merits of the WOF system where a 3rd party can pick up things the owner might miss or not notice, I just think every 6 months is a bit much and have voted for once a year.

-Indy

[Forest]

In Queensland, there's nothing. Not at all. No checks in the slightest. For the most part in Brisbane people drive around in fancy new Mazdas or Toyotas or Holdens or Fords; but you often see the most painfully dangerous pieces of crap rolling along too. If a policeman stops you he can give you a ticket but of course there's a lot that slips through the cracks.

In Victoria, the police have the power to impound a car on the side of the road if it is judged to be unsafe.

[Squiggles]

Number of people i see riding around with fork seals leaking and balding tyres makes me want to keep it the way it is, alot only fix if they're going to fail a wof because of it

[Slyer]

Yeah 6 months is good.
But they could tone down some of the ridiculous stuff, like one of my fog lights not working on the car, most cars don't even have them so why does it need to work?
Also, my automatic windscreen squirter doesn't work. Big whoop. I'm not forking out a lot of money to get a whole new pump when I've never used it in practice even when it was working.

Thank you for bringing my busted CV boot to my attention however...

[jrandom]

Having six monthly warrants is retarded and huge example of nanny state.

Speak for yourself; my motor vehicle seems to have no difficulty passing its annual WOF check.

:D

Maybe I'll start whinging in another four years when it joins the six-monthly club.

I don't really see a problem, though. The system's not perfect and it's a minor pain in the arse, but it does at least have some chance of drawing the average idiot's attention to issues when they wouldn't have otherwise realised that they needed to replace their vehicle's consumables, etc.

[JimO]

Yeah 6 months is good.
But they could tone down some of the ridiculous stuff, like one of my fog lights not working on the car, most cars don't even have them so why does it need to work?
Also, my automatic windscreen squirter doesn't work. Big whoop. I'm not forking out a lot of money to get a whole new pump when I've never used it in practice even when it was working.

Thank you for bringing my busted CV boot to my attention however...

if its there it has to work, regarding the washer for the windscreen i would think that would be a must have, you get the sun on a dirty windscreen and you cant see anything

[vtec]

if its there it has to work, regarding the washer for the windscreen i would think that would be a must have, you get the sun on a dirty windscreen and you cant see anything
Well, we can't have a water sprayer not working, what if the owner of said vehicle, takes this lapse in the nanny state and learns to get out of his car and put water on the windscreen manually, we can't have that, then we might have people coming up with all sorts of crazy ideas like learning to wipe their own bottoms or something.

[JimO]

Well, we can't have a water sprayer not working, what if the owner of said vehicle, takes this lapse in the nanny state and learns to get out of his car and put water on the windscreen manually, we can't have that, then we might have people coming up with all sorts of crazy ideas like learning to wipe their own bottoms or something.

whatever............just remember these people driving about with windscreens they cant see out of are sharing the road with you

[Freeatlast]

The law states that all vehicles must be up to warrant of fitness standard, at all times. Regardless of, it has a sticker on the windscreen (or wherever) to say its legally on the road. The time period is irrelevant buracratic bullshit. Heavier fines and/or crushing those vehicles that are found on the road, but not up to the required standard, would reduce the number of un-warranted vehicles on the road.

[Rayray401]

What needs to be done is for this to go to one year for all vehicles and a two year check for five years of new one's. If a vehicle is pulled over by the police or if they deem this to be unsafe then they should be given the powers to require the vehicle to undergo a new warrent. Not a fine but the power to require that the vehicle is up to a road worthy state. Just some loose thoughts.


skyryder

Hmm..i say do what skyryder mentioned but also make third party insurance compulsory..

[vtec]

whatever............just remember these people driving about with windscreens they cant see out of are sharing the road with you

You could have a dirty visor on your helmet, and you have neither window wipers or a watersprayer... what do you do? WHAT DO YOU DO?

[JimO]

You could have a dirty visor on your helmet, and you have neither window wipers or a watersprayer... what do you do? WHAT DO YOU DO?

i can ride with my visor up, does your windscreen tilt up

[jrandom]

You could have a dirty visor on your helmet, and you have neither window wipers or a watersprayer... what do you do? WHAT DO YOU DO?

Die, obviously. Of death.

[James Deuce]

Number of people i see riding around with fork seals leaking and balding tyres makes me want to keep it the way it is, alot only fix if they're going to fail a wof because of it

This is true! It has truth in!

[Slyer]

My windscreen never gets that dirty, I clean it all the time manually.
Squirters always do a shit job anyway.

[emaN]

Having six monthly warrants is retarded and huge example of nanny state. I've been living and travelling abroad for the last couple of years, ...
oooo, tread careful bro...travelling can be dangerous. apparently, this is when 'horizons are broadend' & the status quo gets 'challenged'! :niceone:

i agree, it's mostly another revenue gathering exercise.

i went through a stage when i didn't bother with reg or wofs; then i felt a tad wrong about it, so I started paying reg &, needless to say, kept the bike in road-worthy condition.
then i felt guilty 'bout not paying wofs, so i started paying up again.

then i got all pissed off again, so now the bikes are "on hold" again & mostly un-warranted...and un-ridden, due to financial constraints.

unfortunately, the govt's age-old line is "well, if people kept their vehicles up to standard, we wouldn't have to legislate for every tom, dick & harry etc etc...", and we the populace grimmace & grumble, but we swallow it.

next time I go for a ride, I'm going to work out what it costs per day to reg a bike & put a cheque in the mail to the LTSA.
it's ridiculous having to pay ACC twice over, when you can only ride one at a time - it's ridiculous having to wait 3mths before you can take a vehicle off 'exemption', otherwise you're liable for the previous time lapsed.

no thanks.
cheque's in the mail.

[Lias]

I'd like it to change to every 1-2 years, but also given that it's supposedly a safety issue, I reckon the government should make WOF checks free if you pass, and chargeable if the car fails.

They also REALLY need to get around to requiring WOF's for mopeds/scooters/mini choppers etc.

[sunhuntin]

I'd like it to change to every 1-2 years, but also given that it's supposedly a safety issue, I reckon the government should make WOF checks free if you pass, and chargeable if the car fails.


now that is a jolly good idea, and maybe for vehicles that pass get a slight reduction on rego fees for when they are next due to be paid. [say $5 or $10]

mums car is neat [volvo] cos when the window washer goes, so do two little squirters on the headlights! and the wipers go as well, also on the headlights. lmfao.

[Slyer]

Come on, WOF checks are like $40... nothing compared to the rego.

[JimO]

My windscreen never gets that dirty, I clean it all the time manually.
Squirters always do a shit job anyway.

so your following a truck or bus on a wet road and its stopped raining but the spray from the tyres is all over your screen , your wipers are useless as all they do is smear the dirty spray do you stop and clean the screen, then stop and clean it again in 5 ks and again and again

[Slyer]

It's never happened before.
A) My wipers are awesome
B) Roads are clean the vast majority of the time so it's fresh clean water to wipe off
C) I don't follow that close
D) I tend to pass large vehicles
E) 90% of my driving is in the city or nearby.

I'm not saying squirters are worthless I'm saying they should be OPTIONAL.

[PirateJafa]

so your following a truck or bus on a wet road and its stopped raining but the spray from the tyres is all over your screen , your wipers are useless as all they do is smear the dirty spray do you stop and clean the screen, then stop and clean it again in 5 ks and again and again

Do you stop and clean your visor every five kilometres whilst it is raining?

[JimO]

Do you stop and clean your visor every five kilometres whilst it is raining?

who the fuck rides in the rain

[PirateJafa]

who the fuck rides in the rain
That's what I told the cop too, but he still bitched about me running race slicks on the road bike. :rolleyes: