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

[5150]

While on my USA holidays I noticed that they do not have a WOF system there. Only requirement is to have your emissions checked once a year. Which made me think whether our WOF system is an over reaction or even a necessity. (even in it's current form) Are we really getting rid of unsafe cars, considerring that most are not up to WOF standard even with current WOF's? Wouldn't the money be better spent elsewere? I am not necessary against the WOF system, but just wanted to get a feel what others think of it?

What are your thoughts?

[oneofsix]

There was a thread on this when the Government were proposing to ditch the WOF system and all the usual about no WOF would mean unsafe cars on the road etc was trotted out with an large dose of MTA and VTNZ protecting their revenue stream. End result the current committee decided system you currently have where people still get to absolve their responsibility based on the idea that some official said their vehicle was ok on the day it was tested.

[unstuck]

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.

[Katman]

There was a thread on this when the Government were proposing to ditch the WOF system and all the usual about no WOF would mean unsafe cars on the road etc was trotted out with an large dose of MTA and VTNZ protecting their revenue stream.

So how do you account for the times that I get bikes in for WOFs where the owners have deliberately tried to hide a fault of their bike?

[Hitcher]

Remember that in the USA one is able to sue the bejeebers out of anybody one believes has wronged one. If one is apprehended driving a sub-standard motor vehicle, Sheriff Roscoe P Coltraine will take great delight at throwing the book at one and, if necessary, impounding one's ride.

Safety standards of motor vehicles are only a small contributor to road accidents and deaths, particularly when compared to the effects of alcohol and other similar mind-altering substances.

[Katman]

In New Zealand we have such a piss poor "she'll be right" attitude that I shudder to think what we'd have out on the road if there weren't a periodic opportunity to ensure faults are remedied.

[unstuck]

Should that not be " will take great delight in throwing the book at one". One is just observing.

[Scuba_Steve]

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.

I have different thoughts on that, they're overly strict on cars failing on things in no way related to safety (but hey they have a fail quota to meet) & absolutely useless with bikes passing them with obvious safety defects


End of day WoF is not worth the sticker it's printed on, it's an extortion scam & IMO makes the roads less safe with the false sense of security they provide.
"Dude your steering wheel's shaking like an 80 yr old women with Parkinson's"
"that's alright WoF will pick it up in 3 months"
3 months later... WoF fails to pick it up
"dude it's still shaking"
"yea but it's safe I passed a WoF"

[unstuck]

Yes, I agree with you scuba, on some points. Failing a wof because the washer bottle has no water in it, WTF, put some water in it then, not our job. Fair enough in a way I Suppose, but how hard is it to put a bit of water in a bottle, just so you can help someone out. But helping people does not generate income I suppose. Dunno.

[Katman]

End of day WoF is not worth the sticker it's printed on, it's an extortion scam & IMO makes the roads less safe with the false sense of security they provide.
"Dude your steering wheel's shaking like an 80 yr old women with Parkinson's"
"that's alright WoF will pick it up in 3 months"
3 months later... WoF fails to pick it up
"dude it's still shaking"
"yea but it's safe I passed a WoF"

Hence why any WOF process should involve a road test.

The problem of people thinking their vehicle is safe simply because it has a WOF is a fault with the attitude of that person - not with the WOF system.

[unstuck]

Hence why any WOF process should involve a road test.

The problem of people thinking their vehicle is safe simply because it has a WOF is a fault with the attitude of that person - not with the WOF system.

Yep, I agree Katman.

[biggo]

The NZ public are used to the WOF system to check their vehicles. For a lot of people this is the only time their bonnet get lifted let alone anything else checked on their vehicles.

Bring on emission testing I say. Was bought in in the UK when I lived there in 1994 wasn't long before all the old shit smoky vehicles were off the road. We are meant to be clean green New Zealand and yet half the vehicles on the road here would fail a proper emission test I bet,

[haydes55]

I have never once heard a news story about a fatal accident resulting from mechanical failure. Yet every day theres usually a story about Joe Blogs crossing the center line and killing babies. I would rather see annual license tests. And actual tests that test driver skill. Like licensing in Finland. If you are involved in a crash. Immediately invalidates you license and you can't drive until you can prove you have the skills required.

[buggerit]

I have never once heard a news story about a fatal accident resulting from mechanical failure. Yet every day theres usually a story about Joe Blogs crossing the center line and killing babies. I would rather see annual license tests. And actual tests that test driver skill. Like licensing in Finland. If you are involved in a crash. Immediately invalidates you license and you can't drive until you can prove you have the skills required.

So does this mean the warrent of fitness scheme is working?

[Erelyes]

I would rather see annual license tests. And actual tests that test driver skill.

Ex-fucking-zactly. I reckon many out there on the road would fail any number of simple tests.

Q: Measure the tread depth of this tyre and tell me if it's safe please.
A: