WOF Question?

[roogazza]

Went in to VTNZ Levin last week for WOF. Pretty thorough check I thought and only 45 bucks.
Being sport bike, the guy used a stand to jack it up each end. (first time I'd had that done)
I sat on it while he checked lights etc and then I rode it at walking speed to slam on each brake in turn.
He said he had a bike himself.
No nonsense stuff, I was impressed.

[MarkH]

Why are people going to VTNZ? Especially in Auckland, there must be better choices.

Here in Morrinsville my normal place for a WoF is quick and efficient and properly checks stuff that should be checked. The mechanic takes the bike for a short ride (2 or 3 minutes I'd guess). The only hassle I've had is when the guy that does bikes was on holiday, had to go to a motorcycle shop that also does a good job but not quite as quick. I think I only pay 35 or 40 bucks at my regular place, pretty good value.

[rastuscat]

Why are people going to VTNZ? Especially in Auckland, there must be better choices.

Here in Morrinsville my normal place for a WoF is quick and efficient and properly checks stuff that should be checked. The mechanic takes the bike for a short ride (2 or 3 minutes I'd guess). The only hassle I've had is when the guy that does bikes was on holiday, had to go to a motorcycle shop that also does a good job but not quite as quick. I think I only pay 35 or 40 bucks at my regular place, pretty good value.

I'd prefer to get a WoF at a place that doesn't do repairs. That way they have no financial motivation to find things that need fixing.

[jellywrestler]

I'd prefer to get a WoF at a place that doesn't do repairs. That way they have no financial motivation to find things that need fixing.

surely a government appointed testing place wouldn't be biased now would they?

[rastuscat]

surely a government appointed testing place wouldn't be biased now would they?

It's the McDonalds mentality which has crept into VTNZ that concerns me. Each time I WoF a car I get offered an oil change, service, window clean, large fries.

If I wanted any of that stuff I'd go to my mechanic.

I guess it's a good thing for someone who doesn't care much for their vehicles. Convenient.

But all o want from them is an honest inspection according to the rules.

[awayatc]

I'd prefer to get a WoF at a place that doesn't do repairs. That way they have no financial motivation to find things that need fixing.

Heard that very same justification before.....
Not sure if it holds water.

Must be a boring job for a mechanic....
So they are either not very great mechanics to start with,
And /or they get so bored /frustrated with their monotonous daily routines that they start finding fault/making shit up.

Money for wof is easy earn for any garage.
Much better then making shit up and fixing things.

I always go to my local friendly workshop.....
They appreciate the business

[Cosmik de Bris]

It's the McDonalds mentality which has crept into VTNZ that concerns me. Each time I WoF a car I get offered an oil change, service, window clean, large fries.

If I wanted any of that stuff I'd go to my mechanic.

I guess it's a good thing for someone who doesn't care much for their vehicles. Convenient.

But all o want from them is an honest inspection according to the rules.

I'm not sure about convenient, often lots of people. For my car I book in at a garage near work and they do it while I wait. For my bikes I go to a local motorbike shop and if they can't do it right away they give me a loner. That's convenient. Oh and I always stress that I'll go somewhere else for repairs.

Cheers

[FJRider]

Heard that very same justification before.....
Not sure if it holds water.

Personally ... minor shit that needs fixing for a WOF at testing time ... I'd rather get sorted then and there. Fuck taking it away to bring back later.

The WOF fee converted to an hourly rate ... makes it easy money for half an hours work.

[sidecar bob]

The WOF fee converted to an hourly rate ... makes it easy money for half an hours work.

except when you factor in all the associated costs & overheads of becoming & maintaining both a wof site & inspectors licence.

[jellywrestler]

except when you factor in all the associated costs & overheads of becoming & maintaining both a wof site & inspectors licence.

wots a licence worth? i get fucked off with vtnz charging a fortune for a trailer, they have the same number of rear lights as a car, even less with no reversing lights and nothing adjustable in the lighting dept to check, two wheels a very visible chassis and fuck all else. used to be ten dollars cheaper than a car when i had a trailer

[FJRider]

except when you factor in all the associated costs & overheads of becoming & maintaining both a wof site & inspectors licence.

As I recall ... the individual testers are the ones licensed to issue WOF's.

If in the case of an unsafe vehicle is found on the road with a current WOF ... the finger is pointed at the tester that did the check. NOT the firm he/she works for.

[sidecar bob]

As I recall ... the individual testers are the ones licensed to issue WOF's.

If in the case of an unsafe vehicle is found on the road with a current WOF ... the finger is pointed at the tester that did the check. NOT the firm he/she works for.

I sold my wof issuing BMW specialist garage a month ago after 23 years of ownership.
You wouldn't believe the compliance costs if I could be bothered posting them up, or the liability for fucking it up.
Don't just guess, buy a wof garage & make yourself heaps of money with no outlay or fear of liability.

[Katman]

As I recall ... the individual testers are the ones licensed to issue WOF's.

If in the case of an unsafe vehicle is found on the road with a current WOF ... the finger is pointed at the tester that did the check. NOT the firm he/she works for.

You clearly know fuck all.

[MarkH]

I'd prefer to get a WoF at a place that doesn't do repairs. That way they have no financial motivation to find things that need fixing.

I understand that idea, but have not found any such problem at any place I've ever gotten a WoF from. In fact I'd rather get a WoF from the place that does my repairs so that if they start making shit up I'll know to find a new repair shop.

Usually a vehicle I own will breeze through the WoF and when it doesn't I can usually see quite clearly (once pointed out) why not and get that issue rectified.

[russd7]

Heard that very same justification before.....
Not sure if it holds water.

Must be a boring job for a mechanic....
So they are either not very great mechanics to start with,
And /or they get so bored /frustrated with their monotonous daily routines that they start finding fault/making shit up.

Money for wof is easy earn for any garage.
Much better then making shit up and fixing things.

I always go to my local friendly workshop.....
They appreciate the business

i have had this happen once, new town and we bought a runnabout, took it in for a wof to a local garage (one of two in town) car cost us $1000.00 the things the garage failed us on were quoted $1600.00 to repair, so i took it to a mechanic i knew and he had a look at all the things the garage had put down, lets just say that in ten years ownership of said vehicle and 40000kms we only had to fix one of those things and that was after 30000km. needless to say that garage has never had any of our bussiness nor do we ever recommend them