WOF at VTNZ, FFS...

[oneofsix]

Good thread fatmax

My "PhatGirl" went through VTNZ when i first bought her (the bike shop put her through...NOT my choice).
They had gaven her a WOF, I bought the bike and off I tootled (from Dunners to ChCh).....now THIS is the standards of VTNZ.
On the ride home alone I noticed the clutch was naffed, the front shocks where DANGEROUSLY adjusted and the electrics where failing (dash flicking on & off) and the brake light was either turning off or jamming on, and the front end was "buzzing"?
Got her home and done a serious check myself.....front wheel bearings where collapsed! the brake shoes in the rear where Farked, all the earths on the wiring loom were attached to painted parts so weren't actually earthing and, most dangerous of all, the drive shaft had been assembled incorrectly and was not aligned!...meaning it could have sheared the splines or worse, vibrated the bearings to pieces and locked the arse end up! (Guzzi owners worst nightmare!)
Personally, I have NEVER trusted or used VTNZ for WOF's, I always find a reputable motorcycle mechanic to do so, and even then, get them to give the bike a GOOD look over.(In the off chance I have missed something)
Screw VTNZ!, they are in it for the money, not for the safety!

yep yep yep. Your bike was taken to VTNZ by a bike shop it therefore past through assumption or 'don't piss off one of our best customers" corporate think.
I took Kate to VTNZ for her 1st WOF renewal. To paraphrase what was over heard it was basically that this is a new looking bike therefore pass. They did a run through but it was a once over lightly. Took it back to the dealer this year.

[jono750]

From the other side... in an independant motorcycle workshop we were having our WOF inspection procedures examined by a goon from LTSA (as part of staying current). He asked how we checked tyre tread depth - he was shown the vernier slide/caliper used - to which he stated that "we should be using a match head" - if I wasn't there I wouldn't have bloody believed it!!

[Bald Eagle]

F - to which he stated that "we should be using a match head" - if I wasn't there I wouldn't have bloody believed it!!

So do you need to be a smoker to issue WOF's then

[Owl]

WoF at a bike shop only for me! They're smart enough to fail a bike on actual issues and they'll let common sense items slide.

[pritch]

Following an exercise in frustration with VTNZ, spoke to the then chief of the Transport Dept who told me not to take my wagon there. He told me that he never took his own cars there.

The bike shop I deal with doesn't do WoFs but they sent me to the guy they use. He's good, he won't pass rubbish but he doesn't stuff me about either.

[BAY CITY MOTORCYCLES]

Took my bike to VTNZ Birch Ave Tauranga. The girl at reception said, "You're lucky, we only have the one motorbike tester, he only works one weekend in two, but he's on this weekend." So the guy has a look over GLORIA, hops on and takes off for 5 minutes. Came back and said, "The changes you made to the pipes sound good don't they. She's OK for her warrant."

He's definitely one of us.

Agreed....also out on Hewlitts Rd

[toycollector10]

I have been warranting three cars and two bikes over the years. Every time there was a (non) issue it was at a VTNZ outfit then I wised up and now have a regular guy who knows me, my bikes and cars. I trust his judgement so it doesn't get much better.

[Flip]

I took my 45 year old sports car in to the Wellington Seaview testing station. The old dick who was testing it went over, over and over the car for an hour. Finally took the car off the line and continued to inspect it. During which time the line of vehicles had extended past the drive way and drivers were leaving the que. His colleagues came over and he told them that there was always some thing wrong with all old cars, they just gave me a sorry look and left...... He finally found that if he pulled the steering wheel really hard up and down he could cause the spline on the steering box to slip a bit. Now the the steering spline is retained by the pinch bolt and could not come out. He declared that the car was dangerous and had failed and I had to fix the problem and bring the vehicle back.

Well I opened the tool kit, pulled out my trusty 7/16 open ender at which stage the old fart came up behind me and told me I could not fix the car there and had to take it away for repairs. I told him to get stuffed, tightened the pinch bolt and told him to re-inspect the bloody car.

I won't deal with VTNZ anymore, my company will not deal with VTNZ and I advise anybody I know not to deal with VTNZ. Some of them are just a bunch of NAZI wankers in their blue uniforms.

I believe the problem is these morons have to fail a certain percentage of the vehicles they inspect for "benchmarking reasons" so for example if the first 10 vehicles in the que are 1 year old almost new ones you are fucked.

[toycollector10]

Somebody post this thread to VTNZ Head Office FFS...Bloody Wankers!

[Scuba_Steve]

hasn't someone commented in the past that you can complain to someone & get them re-evaluated at their expense??? If so I suggest anytime anyone goes to a VTNZ pass or fail we request a re-evaluation... they'll soon get the point (or go broke either ways good )

[Zamiam]

WoF at a bike shop only for me! They're smart enough to fail a bike on actual issues and they'll let common sense items slide.

Ditto for me - too much risk of damage to me if something missed

[Hiflyer]

I took my Hornet to VTNZ once.

Then they asked where reverse was and how to use the indicators.

[Katman]

I believe the problem is these morons have to fail a certain percentage of the vehicles they inspect for "benchmarking reasons" so for example if the first 10 vehicles in the que are 1 year old almost new ones you are fucked.

To a degree, you're right.

If an Issuing Authority fails less than 10% of their warrants, the powers that be at NZTA look closely at that agency.

[Scuba_Steve]

I took my Hornet to VTNZ once.

Then they asked where reverse was and how to use the indicators.

did you tell him, & then charge him 120$ for your services???

[varminter]

Wife took the PT Cruiser for a test at VTNZ. Fog lights no go. As far as I know they never have, didn't know how to switch them on and no, you're not allowed to unplug them they have to be removed FFS. To add insult to injury she paid the buggers to check all the lubricants, auto transmission oil needs changing, ditto brake fluid, and so on. Took it to oil changers who have a vested interest in replacing such stuff, "no, it's all good, don't know what they are talking about". An honest person!! I'll have him stuffed and mounted.