WOF drama

[Dooly]

They monitor our pass/fail rate - obviously a new car dealership would have a 98% pass rate with no concern,but the same pass rate in Otara would be suspicious.100% pass rate at the dealers might draw attention too.A tyre shop only failing on tyres is not a good look either.My pass/fail rate varies between 25 and 50%.

Yep.

I was told that in our non franchise shop we were expected to fail a certain amount of WOFs due to us doing mostly non new vehicles.
The 'expected' was due to the age and condition of older vehicles.
Each inspector can be checked up on how many they fail and pass at any time.
He said to me that something must be wrong with my ratio as I had passed over 90% of vehicles I had checked in the prior month.
I pointed out that it can vary as I had only done WOFs on mainly near new vehicles and they were all fine, whereas one of the other guys had done most of his on older and shitters, so his fail, or pass/fail WOFs were higher.
He could'nt understand what I was meaning.........or did'nt want to.
Mind you......he's a pom, and never worked in a garage over here.

[Citroenjunkie]

I have also given up on VTNZ it seems that at Takanini all vehicles driven by guys fail on something. I stood in the queue a few weeks ago and watched every guy that came in there get failed on something while the attractive lady sailed through! Also, dont argue with the testers. The pedantic old fart (is there a minimum age for testers?) gave me a long lecture, complete with visual aids to explain why my car failed its warrant because the coloured indicator bulb had faded and were not exactly the same orange colour as the side repeaters! They have been the same colour for four years, since I bought the car...he didn't care and failed it anyway! c@nt! He also said that the steering ball joint needed replacing, second warrant in a row, same place, different car, same fault...?

It seems to take me a long time to get the message, but I won't get stung a third time. I would also never take my bike there. The idea of one of those bumbling old farts riding my bike scares me shitless!

I know there are professional, honest testers out there, there are also, trustworthy lawyers, and second hand car dealers you'd introduce to your kid sister....right..?

[Motu]

I couldn't give a fuck either - I don't care whether your vehicle passed it's WoF ten times before...today it's a fail,now fuck off and go cry somewhere else!

Oh,by the way,don't bring your bike or car here please....I'd rather you give someone else the bad rep.

[pete376403]

VTNZ Upper Hutt wanted to fail my bike on "non-compliant" brake hoses (s/s braided) until I pointed out the appropriate numbers (Fren-Turbo hoses, fully approved). Still mumbled away about how non standard hoses were less satisfactory than OEM bulgy rubber ones. Aparently with the braided cover you can't see the cracks developing in the rubber pipes underneath, completely ignoring the fact that the pipe is teflon, not rubber).
He nearly dropped the bike while testing the brakes, locked the front on smooth wet concrete and was very lucky not to end up with the bike on top of himself. (would that be a pass or a fail?)

Also, like another poster, at Tory St VTNZ I have had my work car failed for "empty windscreen washer bottle" - was very tempted to piss in in right there and then, and ask for a retest.

[Motu]

I have had my work car failed for "empty windscreen washer bottle"

It's the owners responsability to keep the car up to WoF standard - fill your washer bottle before going next time....you know it's a requirement after all....don't you?

[pete376403]

Actually, no. I knew the wipers had to work efficiently, but not every car has windscreen washers (my mums 1962 Humber 90 didn't)

[Ixion]

Windscreen washers only required for first rego after 1/1/92. Don't need power driven wipers before 1960.
Sigh. I wish the testers would learn the dates. The arguments I have with them about brake lights.

[Motu]

You need washers after 1992 - of course your washers have had fluid in every time you have gone for a WoF before,this time they are empty and it's a fail.Sounds random - but the randomness if from your part in not keeping the fluid topped up.I have no sympathy with this one,but I can see why people get upset.

[riffer]

He nearly dropped the bike while testing the brakes, locked the front on smooth wet concrete and was very lucky not to end up with the bike on top of himself. (would that be a pass or a fail?)

Sounds a bit odd for VTNZ Upper Hutt. I get my vehicles all checked there, and make sure that I get Gary for them.

While checking over the bike we always discuss the maintenance done on the bike over the previous 6 months, and any up and coming maintenance on the bike, and he makes suggestions of things I could look at and things that just aren't worth doing.

I'd had nothing but good service from VTNZ Upper Hutt.

If I had any advice on dealing with WOF people it would be that if you make sure your bike is well maintained, discuss what you've done to it and what you intend to do with it, and generally don't come across as a know-it-all you'll get an honest assessment of your vehicle.

Like Motu I'm surprised that some of you are complaining that something that's been missed has just been caught.

[Timber020]

This was for a 4wd but VTNZ tory failed mine on rust. 3k later it was repaired, truck had to go through new wof as it took 32 days to do and they found another 4k's worth of rust they missed the first time.

Useless doesnt begin to to describe them at times

[peasea]

Sunnybrae Road, is that where you went?

[peasea]

too bloody right, decibel meter to the front or fuck off

[peasea]

You're onto it. Money down the drain when things are quite safe. It's enough to make you move to Iraq. Hmm, maybe not.

[peasea]

Okay, fair comment. I'd just like to say that there needs to be some sort of standard, fair test, that's all. No biker wants to put his arse on a shitter without brakes etc and if they don't have the nouse to sort their mechanicals out then they need saving from themselves. What is the right answer? tell me that.

[peasea]

Wow! I really didn't think I'd light such a big fire but it just goes to show how inconsistent the testing procedure is and how many vehicle owners suffer the same bollocks. I'd like to thank those who took the time to post their comments and I'd urge you all to read the outcome in NZ Petrolhead magazine. I am the only bike rider on the staff and apart from featuring some very cool bikes I also like to promote motorcycling in a general, positive light. I also contribute to Bike Rider Magazine and any input that you might have regarding biking issues is more than welcome in either magazine.

Again, many thanks for your time and input.
Ride anyway you want, just get there.
pc