WOF reforms.

[bsasuper]

Current system keeps the dangerous shit off the road(well the ones that are legal), I say just cap the cost.

[FJRider]

Yet, to my knowledge, hazard lights don't have to work.

They are usually the indicator lights, connected by a separate switch. Hazzard lights (as a separate item) were never included in the required item list. Not seen as any more of a safety item, than a High-vis vest for cars.

[Scuba_Steve]

The supposedly stringent, consistant test is not always that. As some members here on this site have already stated. The testing stations will be more of a money spinner ... if everybody has to use them. (Privatisation later ???) Don't plan on them being any cheaper though. They want older cars off the roads ... one way or another.

ah dude, their already privatized MTA (owners of VTNZ chain) is the reason we're still stuck with this worthless extortion of money

Current system keeps the dangerous shit off the road

You don't actually believe that do you???

[Kickaha]

You don't actually believe that do you???

I believe it keeps a lot more dangerous shit off the road than you may think just going by what i have seen, however most of it is people who are unaware of the problems with their vehicles until it is bought to their attention via a wof check

[Motu]

WoF

First time I've seen Warrant of Fitness spelt correctly on this site.

Changes to 12 months WoF was looked at about 20 years ago when the WoF and rego stickers were changed - it was going to be just one sticker, get your WoF and rego at the same time. (like Aust). At the same time continuous rego and no rego without WoF came in. Put in the too hard basket. There were still Hillman Hunters and HQ Holdens on the road then, and we were practically failing cars on rust every day....now I can go 6 months or more without a rust fail....depending on how many Falcons come in.

The new import rules mean our fleet is going to get older again - I think we should stick to 6 months for older vehicles.

[caspernz]

Anyone who believes that the average New Zealander will, of their own volition, pay particular attention to the road-worthiness of their car is deluding themselves.

They will drive them until something breaks.

Very true.

Oil doesn't need changing, tyres don't need pumping up EVER, all you need to do is put petrol in and empty the ashtray...

[FJRider]

I believe it keeps a lot more dangerous shit off the road than you may think just going by what i have seen, however most of it is people who are unaware of the problems with their vehicles until it is bought to their attention via a wof check

I once had the misfortune to have to spen four hours waiting (Company vehicle, Company time) for a test. The entertainment was such ... it (almost) overcome the boredom. From Boy-racers to grandmothers. Non english speaking to not speaking at all ...

Testers comment/questions and replys given.

No indicators working (They were working on the way here ... I'll wiggle the wires)
Tyres rubbing on the guards (They passed the WoF like that LAST time)
Indicators please ... (I dont know where the switch is so I dont use them)
Your brake lights dont work ... (it's ok ... I never look at them)
There is too much rust in your car (it was there since it was new)

And that was only in the first half hour.

[pete376403]

My CB400 passed a wof with illegally thing discs on the front, because they don't have the specs, or a micrometer to measure them Only a slight safety issue...

They check bike disks because they can. They're not allowed to dismantle anything to check behind it (ie can't take car wheels off to check disks). Cars can pass a warrant with completely worn out disks if they stop the car during the test, but if bike disks are half a mil under the thickness stamped on them, its a fail.

Race bikes regularly have their disks skimmed right down to save weight, yet they still manage to stop.

[ducatilover]

They check bike disks because they can. They're not allowed to dismantle anything to check behind it (ie can't take car wheels off to check disks). Cars can pass a warrant with completely worn out disks if they stop the car during the test, but if bike disks are half a mil under the thickness stamped on them, its a fail.

Race bikes regularly have their disks skimmed right down to save weight, yet they still manage to stop.

VTNZ couldn't measure them, they don't have the equipment.

[Bassmatt]

Guy on the radio today from nzta or similar saying that the current average age of the fleet is 13 years and thats the oldest its ever been.
Which seems a little hard to believe.
He wanted to stick with the status quo due to all the old bombs apparently out there.

[Gremlin]

I'm really on the fence on this one. On one hand I have a Hornet 900, just gone into 6 month wofs now, but it's serviced 2-3 times a year, every year, very well maintained plus it's a freaken Honda. 102k on the clock, even the mechs reckon it feels like a bike with half the mileage. 6 month wofs are a waste of my time and money (coz 6 month wofs aren't half the price). On the other hand, I've seen cars going through with nasty failures. There are people out there who do absolutely no maintenance at all (worse still, have no idea what, if any, they should do, where things are etc), and if it wasn't for these checks they'd be out there trying to kill me.

Has anyone with a vehicle less than 5 years old failed a WOF?

Yep... my bike at the 2 year WOF (hehe Motu). Since the previous WOF a piece in the headlight had broken, meaning it could not angle down low enough (despite a lot of swearing and grunting). Once the shop had a look... new headlight under warranty.

Yet, to my knowledge, hazard lights don't have to work.

I may well stand corrected, but as the rules stand... if the light is fitted it must work to a required minimum (75% if the light consists of an array of LEDs) or be disabled completely.

[slowpoke]

Thats a bad idea. A really effing bad idea. You all know where I work, and I see some rather unloved cars. The current system is working fine, and does not need to be changed. This is progress for progress sake. Does he actually live in the real world?

I know my car will pass its next warrent, but I can't say that for everyone else. The one after that could be a bit dicey if I don't get the rust on the crossmember dealt to at some stage soon.

too long?
In short, bad idea.

It's working fine for your business, but not so fine for everyone else who has to pay the WOF cost, find the time to drop off the vehicle, then pick up the vehicle or wait 90min's in the queue during their lunch "hour" while the drive in/drive out testing station staff have their lunch, and/or having to drive 45min's to my nearest VTNZ, then doing all it again 2 months later with the second car...then the bike...then the trailer.

6 months is bollocks, I lived in WA for 12 years without this malarkey (roadworthy only required when selling vehicle or when "defected") and the world didn't stop turning.

It's not progress for progress sake, it's about saving the motoring public time and money. And businesses for that matter, how much productivity is lost due to extended "gotta-getta-WOF" lunchbreak's or early knock's? As for the "real world" we've one of the most stringent testing regimes known to mankind, which would suggest we are actually out of step with the "real world".

[Woodman]

Has anyone with a vehicle less than 5 years old failed a WOF?

My car failed its first warrant last year. All four tyres were worn, and i am ashamed to say that I didn't even think about looking at them
which makes me wonder how many others just wait till the WOF man says their tyres are worn, or is it just another job for the cops to do with their newly shrinking force.

[Scuba_Steve]

which makes me wonder how many others just wait till the WOF man says their tyres are worn, or is it just another job for the cops to do with their newly shrinking force.

more common than you think, the amount of time I've pointed out problems to the avg driver (those who only use the road cause they have to not cause they want to) only to have the response "it's good till the next WoF" or "the WoF will pick that up" & these problems have ranged from hard pulling brakes, bald tires, wobbly steering etc but no amount of telling them somethings wrong will work they'll just "wait for the WoF to tell them" after all nothings wrong till the WoF says it is .

[CookMySock]

[....] With VERY heavy fines if they are not.

So this is an excuse to put the fines up?