New Zealand WOF system is it a genuine necessity or a scam?

[kiwi cowboy]

All a WOF guarantees is that some numbity will assume their vehicle is safe because it has a WOF and they will never check for themselves.[/QUOTE]

yes but the problem is said numbity will not check there vehicle anyway because they wouldn't know one end of the thing from the other and wouldn't know where to start.

[kiwi cowboy]

Pad thickness you can see with a mirror , a lot of drum brakes have an inspection hole in the backing plate with a rubber bung in it.
The guy that does my warrants is an A grade mechanic , he checks and tells me if he thinks anything is coming up for replacement even though it passes
a warrant, he may say "I think your front pads have got a couple of months left in them". With testing stations you do not build up that relationship you
do with a trusted mechanic and I would prefer someone I trust checking rather than gambling they are a qualified mechanic and not someone who has had 5 years washing cars in the local car yard as their experience to train as a warrant of fitness inspector.

well said that man re the relationship and trust.

[superjackal]

I think it has some merits, but some garages do use it to get themselves work. Thats why I urge most people to use VTNZ, they dont fix cars, so have no interest in generating work. Just my 2pence worth.

Guess it's all about trust. If mechanics abuse us it's on their conscience. I'd sooner have my mechanic advise me on work that needs doing, not on whether something is "passable".