Can you contest a bad WOF tester?

**Steam** · 9th February 2010, 17:47

I recently took the Shit-hawk in for a Wof, and it rightly failed. Bald-ish tyres, headlight not working, tractor seat instead of the proper seat...
But he also failed it on things like "Cracked Tail-light - replace", which I am sure is actually legal. I got some of that red see-thru tape designed for just that purpose, and I seem to remember that's fine if you tape up the crack in the light with some of that red tape.
He also failed it on having no fairings or windshield, which I took off on purpose so it looks mechanical and brutal and ugly. Is there a rule you have to have fairings? It's the Shit-hawk, not some kind of plastic fantastic.
Do I have to have a working speedo too?

Can I argue with this guy?
Or take it to another tester? I remember I took my van to a different tester once, after they did a similar thing... I don't know how I got away with that, don't you have to go to the same one for the retest? I dunno.

Cheers!

**red mermaid** · 9th February 2010, 17:57

You can go to anyone you want for another test...it won't be a retest and you will have to pay the inspection fee.

If you have any complaints, go first to the agency running the inspection agency and then if still dissatisfied, NZ Transport Agency.

**Ixion** · 9th February 2010, 18:02

Dude, that's the sort of shit y' get when you come down off the mountain.

In answer: tractor seat is probably OK. Depnds on mounting and stuff. But nothing inherently illegal about a tractor seat. Red tape on light - hm, dubious. VIRM says "A lens is missing, or has a hole, crack or other damage that allows moisture or dirt to enter". So that could be argued either way. You definately don't have to have fairings or windshield (technically, it's a wind deflector). So ong as taking the fairings off doesn't expose a nasty sticky-out people ripping thing. Must ahve a working speedo (unless it's a real old bike)

Of course you can argue with the guy. May not do much good, though. The WoF place should have a complaints process sign thingy posted. You can appeal to the LTSA-as_was. You don't have to go back to the same place , but if you go somewhere else the recheck may not be free (VTNZ allow you to go back to any VTNZ).

Sounds like an anal tester. How many cops do you get on your mountain anyway?

**aroberts** · 9th February 2010, 18:05

I think with the computerised system now, there are some issues with trying to get a test at another place. I have heard that people have been told by a second tester that they cannot do a retest and the person had to go back to the original tester. But not sure.

Here are the WOF details:
http://www.transfund.govt.nz/certifi...e/#motorcycles

Having a speedo and rear light with no cracks seem to be on the list of things they can fail you for. But the lack of fairing doesn't seem to be.

**Mom** · 9th February 2010, 18:37

A bit off topic but all the same. VTNZ rechecks can be challenging. Our caravan failed a WOF for leaking master cylinder and corroded brake lines. So, we took it to Pitt Stop ( Brake and exhausts specialists) and also registered to issue WOF's. Cool. Close to $500 later we have new brake lines and reconed master and slave cylinders. Rock into VTNZ for a recheck on our way Norf for a holiday and the bloke there hums and hars about issuing a WOF as he was not happy with the way the brake lines were attached to the chasis of the caravan! This after providing the receipt and job card for the required repair. I fixed him with my steely gaze and pointed out that they were also able to issue WOF's, if he chose to fail it I would have to take it a bit further

We got the WOF.

You need a friendly WOF checker Steam. Our local wrecker is great! Safe as houses checker, fails what should be failed, but comes up with great options for repairs that dont break the bank.

**Scotty595** · 9th February 2010, 18:40

Originally Posted by aroberts

I think with the computerised system now, there are some issues with trying to get a test at another place. I have heard that people have been told by a second tester that they cannot do a retest and the person had to go back to the original tester. But not sure.

Here are the WOF details:
http://www.transfund.govt.nz/certifi...e/#motorcycles

Having a speedo and rear light with no cracks seem to be on the list of things they can fail you for. But the lack of fairing doesn't seem to be.

I think if it is within 28 days you have to get it done at the same place. Else your free to pick and choose

**toycollector10** · 9th February 2010, 21:51

I'm WOF'ing three bikes and three cars these days. My experience is, don't go anywhere near a VTNZ site. Pick a hole in the wall guy and be polite. I'll never, ever use a VTNZ site again.

I went to the VTNZ place down by Christchurch Airport out of necessity last month. There were about 10 empty camper vans waiting to be tested so I jumped the queue and pulled up to the front of the line. The GHOF tester got all shirty with me, like, I should wait for 3 hours until he had worked his way through them all? I resisted the urge to flip him the bird when I pulled away. Wanker.

Another station I went to there was a guy testing a MK II Jaguar, with no one else around. He said, "Sit down, I'll be with you in about 20 minutes" I said "No thanks, I'll go somewhere else" and he got all sar-caustic like. I drove past the place 4 hours later and the MK II was still there waiting for the owner to pick it up. If it was my business I would have dropped everything and grabbed the new customer because the Jaguar could wait. Obviously, he was on wages and didn't own the joint. Costing his boss money and putting his own employment at risk, real intelligent like. Another vehicle testing wanker.

**BASS-TREBLE** · 9th February 2010, 22:02

I go to a little Farm bike shop here locally, good blokes.
I get all my shit from there and he is very happy to just tell me to get brake pads before I go on my next big ride because they're low as fuck, but he wont even mention it on the test paper thing. Once you find a good place, you'll know.

As far as mods go. Any seat is fine. It just has to be securely mounted as far as I know. My old GN had a CBR seat on it mounted with 3mm brackets and little M6 bolts. It didn't move, so why fail it?

My Fizzer is butt naked and there is no reason to fail it as long as you dont have loose wires or anything stupid like that to be a hazard or risk.

A wof is nothing scientific, its just common sense really.

**rphenix** · 9th February 2010, 22:33

Originally Posted by Scotty595

I think if it is within 28 days you have to get it done at the same place. Else your free to pick and choose

Nope, had a car put through a WOF by my parents while I was away, it failed at the local garage I got back a couple days later and took it to a more trustworthy place who passed it. They could see the previous test on the computer but it didn't affect anything.

**roadracingoldfart** · 10th February 2010, 06:16

Originally Posted by toycollector10

I'm WOF'ing three bikes and three cars these days. My experience is, don't go anywhere near a VTNZ site. Pick a hole in the wall guy and be polite. I'll never, ever use a VTNZ site again.

I went to the VTNZ place down by Christchurch Airport out of necessity last month. There were about 10 empty camper vans waiting to be tested so I jumped the queue and pulled up to the front of the line. The GHOF tester got all shirty with me, like, I should wait for 3 hours until he had worked his way through them all? I resisted the urge to flip him the bird when I pulled away. Wanker.

Another station I went to there was a guy testing a MK II Jaguar, with no one else around. He said, "Sit down, I'll be with you in about 20 minutes" I said "No thanks, I'll go somewhere else" and he got all sar-caustic like. I drove past the place 4 hours later and the MK II was still there waiting for the owner to pick it up. If it was my business I would have dropped everything and grabbed the new customer because the Jaguar could wait. Obviously, he was on wages and didn't own the joint. Costing his boss money and putting his own employment at risk, real intelligent like. Another vehicle testing wanker.

So i assume your a cue jumper at the supermarket as well . What an unrealistic selfish attitude.
Get in line like we all have to and accept you didnt have an appointment time and you are no more important than any of their other customers are.

Originally Posted by rphenix

Nope, had a car put through a WOF by my parents while I was away, it failed at the local garage I got back a couple days later and took it to a more trustworthy place who passed it. They could see the previous test on the computer but it didn't affect anything.

The AVI can look for a previous inspection but it only tells him the fact a previous inspection was a fail result.
When the online form is filled out the details of the previous fail are a bit clearer , at that stage i personally would ask myself if i looked carefully at that particular aspect and was sure it was a safe vehicle. Even humans can miss something.

Paul.

**aroberts** · 10th February 2010, 07:10

I don't go to VTNZ anymore (bike or car). The guy failed my Toyota Celica car several years ago because he coudn't see an air bag light. But he said he wasn't sure. I had to wait until Monday then take time off work to go to Toyota and get a letter to say it is a mechanical air bag and there is no light. You'd think he would have known or asked one of the other guys. It's a reasonably common car.

**imdying** · 10th February 2010, 09:17

Without wanting to sound too judgemental, if I were the WOF man I'd fail any modified bike that looked like a shit heap that didn't have a low volume vehicle certification. If I had no idea of your motorcycle modifying abilities, then I wouldn't want the safety of the changes hanging over my neck should I pass it. Having said that, I've got bikes in my garage that are modified a lot further than that (chassis chopped up etc) that the WOF guy doesn't blink at... tidy modifications are generally no problem. The red tape is to enable you to complete your journey / wait for a new lense to turn up, not to pass a WOF.

**imdying** · 10th February 2010, 09:19

Originally Posted by roadracingoldfart

Get in line like we all have to and accept you didnt have an appointment time and you are no more important than any of their other customers are.

Ten unattended camper vans are obviously contract work and not so urgent that a bike can't be slipped in. Sir, your pompous git attitude doesn't align with easy going attitude that most regular Kiwis extrapolate into common sense

To be honest you just sound like you're looking for a flame war, and that I can happily provide... he's actually quite a good cunt, so how about you pick on someone who's more than happy to tell you to shove your attitude up your arse.

**Ixion** · 10th February 2010, 09:35

Originally Posted by imdying

Without wanting to sound too judgemental, if I were the WOF man I'd fail any modified bike that looked like a shit heap that didn't have a low volume vehicle certification. If I had no idea of your motorcycle modifying abilities, then I wouldn't want the safety of the changes hanging over my neck should I pass it. Having said that, I've got bikes in my garage that are modified a lot further than that (chassis chopped up etc) that the WOF guy doesn't blink at... tidy modifications are generally no problem. The red tape is to enable you to complete your journey / wait for a new lense to turn up, not to pass a WOF.

The intent of the tape is irrelevant.

The VIRM says "A lens is missing, or has a hole, crack or other damage that allows moisture or dirt to enter". So if the tape prevents moisture or dirt etc, then that complies. BUT , the regulations say "A rearward-facing position lamp must:a) be in sound condition, and b) not be obscured". So that could be argused as a fail, a taped up lens not being in sound condition. Testers discretion.

But, regardless of whether it looks a shit heap or not, that doesn't give the tester grounds for failing it. If he is concerned about his liability he may refuse to test it. But if he does test it, he can only fail it on the basis of matters set out in the rules. As far as seats go, the rules ay there must be a seat, it must be sucurely attached, and the anchorages and mountings must be unmodified . And then goes on to talk about seat belts !. They always forget about motorcycles when they write these things.

**imdying** · 10th February 2010, 10:37