WOF reforms.

[Asher]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/motoring/n...ref-fbheadline

Gerry Brownlee is suggesting they extend the 6 month period between testing.

I dont quite see the point though, i find every 6 months to be a reasonable amount of time although if it was based on distance traveled it would be more reasonable.

[FJRider]

The onus will be still on the owners to keep their vehicles in a safe condition. With VERY heavy fines if they are not.

[caseye]

Once a year should be plenty and yes very Very heavy fines if a vehicle is not up to scratch and outside warrant period.
I could live with this.

[oneofsix]

Why test them at all. The test is only valid until you leave the testing station and even then it often gives a false sense of safety. It is already a requirement that your vehicle be roadworthy every time you take it on the road and the police are already doing random checks, of at the moment that check is mainly to look at the sticker. Insurance can already refuse your calm if the vehicle wasn't roadworthy when you crashed. So why have to pay for a test that isn't solely safety focus (if it has fog lights they must work, why? you don't need to have them)

[FJRider]

The thing is ... what does he hope to achieve ... ???

Many garages have the WOF check's as their primary income. And a tidy little earner for most. Is this a prelude to "safety checks" by NZTA testing stations only ... ???

[sil3nt]

The thing is ... what does he hope to achieve ... ???

Many garages have the WOF check's as their primary income. And a tidy little earner for most. Is this a prelude to "safety checks" by NZTA testing stations only ... ???

My brother lives in Ireland and they have to book their car in months in advance as only certain places can carry out the checks. Stupid system but it wouldn't surprise me if we went that way.

[GingerMidget]

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.

[oneofsix]

The thing is ... what does he hope to achieve ... ???

Many garages have the WOF check's as their primary income. And a tidy little earner for most. Is this a prelude to "safety checks" by NZTA testing stations only ... ???

You more cynical than me You have hit on the one thing that worried me, why would he be taken money away from businesses? but as you point out he could be taking it off the small business to eventually give it to big business and that makes sense. Get pulled over and failed by the cops or dedicated safety force and the only way back on the road is to get a full VIN type check at VTNZ even though it was only an indicate bulb blown.

[sil3nt]

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

[GingerMidget]

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

It does happen. Late model audi, bulge on the brake hose with cords exposed. Fail and told replace asap. Thats the most recent example I can think of.

Rental cars have a higher average of seatbelt fails too, due to people closing doors on them etc. But thats a different inspection so don't think it really counts IMO

[Usarka]

How likely is it that people with bangers are going to find twice as many problems all at once and not be able to afford to fix them?

[GingerMidget]

I see a lot of people given a big list on an old car, come back a few days later and de-register it. Its sad, but unfortunately given the average age of the countries vehicles, not too surprising. This new emissions thing is going to cripple the market too, but thats a whole 'nother rant me thinks.

[Scuba_Steve]

Why test them at all. The test is only valid until you leave the testing station and even then it often gives a false sense of safety. It is already a requirement that your vehicle be roadworthy every time you take it on the road and the police are already doing random checks, of at the moment that check is mainly to look at the sticker. Insurance can already refuse your calm if the vehicle wasn't roadworthy when you crashed. So why have to pay for a test that isn't solely safety focus (if it has fog lights they must work, why? you don't need to have them)

yea this ^ Get rid of WOF's, nothing more than an extortion of money.

[bogan]

Thats a bad idea. A really effing bad idea. You all know where I work,

strip joint?

and I see some rather unloved cars.

the tinted out rusted panelvans known to frequent such establishments, doesn't surprise me

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.

I disagree, 6 months is too often. I would guess that most failed wofs are things that would last another 6 months, or that the owner should pick up on anyway, tyres/lights/etc. The boys that swap out spring for wofs and know their cars are dodgy will still do that, just half as often.

Its a way of reducing the cost of multiple vehicle ownership (I pay 160 per year just in wofs, that's almost the whole ORC of a scoot), and with the fuel situation as its going, this is a good thing.

[oneofsix]

I see a lot of people given a big list on an old car, come back a few days later and de-register it. Its sad, but unfortunately given the average age of the countries vehicles, not too surprising. This new emissions thing is going to cripple the market too, but thats a whole 'nother rant me thinks.

Are you saying they are now driving a de-registered and unwarrantable old banger because increasing the burden of ownership isn't going to make them do with out a car. The old vehicle problem has to be dealt with differently.