WOF inspectors vs WOF from a Mechanic

[R6_kid:Me]

Does anyone know how much training a WOF inspector at VTNZ/OnRoad etc get before becoming qualified to inspect our vehicles.

I've taken two cars through for WOF's in the two days and both have been failed for trivial things.

Firstly my Volvo was failed for 'leaking rear calipers'. I'd just bled the brakes and made a bit of a mess, didn't think to clean it up. I went out and bought new copper washers with the expectation that the old ones which i didn't bother to replace weren't sealing. Turns out all it needed was some degreaser and a whipe with a rag. Took it back and it passed.

Next I took in my fathers friends MX5 to get a WOF. It's been sitting for about a year and has done all of 15km since it's last WOF check. Was failed for buggered wiper blades and a dud parking light. Fair call on the wiper blades, but the parking light started working after I gave the lense a tap.

I seriously think I'll take my vehicles to mechanics for their next WOF inspections. That way I have at least some certainty that a minor problem that could be remedied on the spot while the inspector is under the car will be dealt with there and then rather than having to spend an extra hour or two driving to the local parts shop then going home to fit/clean minor things before taking it back to be inspected. I would have had today free if I'd done that in the first place!

[AllanB]

All mentioned sound like valid fails.
It is not their job to wipe up the mess you left and pump the brake to see if it leaks. If they had ignored it and it was indeed a leaking brake your next post may have been "useless WOF inspector missed ...."
Wipers obviously corroded in the sun and the presumably the bulb did not go when they tested it.

At the end of the day they test the vehicle in the condition it arrives to them.

[Hahn]

I think they were just on failing those WOF's on both counts. They are just inspectors and if they see something not right, no matter how trivial, they will let you know.

The thing about VTNZ etc. is that you can just turn up anytime...

[R6_kid:Me]

All mentioned sound like valid fails.
It is not their job to wipe up the mess you left and pump the brake to see if it leaks.

It's not that hard to tell the difference between a mess and a leak. If they had a guy under the car, and one pumping the brakes you'd soon see if it was actually leaking. Obviously the brand new rotor and pads weren't enough of a give away.

Yes I could have cleaned up better, but the point still remains. A mechanic would have had the logic to give it a quick clean and check - it's not like the place was busy, in fact they had all 5 testers sitting around doing sweet FA when I showed up.

The thing about VTNZ etc. is that you can just turn up anytime...

This is true. Great service from the admin staff, though the testers did seem very disinterested. I guess their job isn't too fun!