WOF drama

**sexy beast** · 4th January 2007, 22:34

true all that. inconsistant WOF testers everywhere. half of them dont even know the whole book of law (well you dont have to) but at least know whats allowed and whats not. i can say the same for license testers.
i guess they cant be robots, coz they are after all humans!!! BUT pretty DORKY ones toooooo!!!!!!
i must say though, there are still some pretty "decent" testers around still.
i've had good experience with VTNZ in cavendish drive in Manukau, try them if you're in the area.

**Rhino** · 4th January 2007, 23:11

Originally Posted by riffer

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.

I agree with you Riffer. I usually take the `Wing to VTNZ Kingsland (Auckland) and invariably it gets checked over by one of the bike riding testers there. They have always been straight with me.

As Motu says, if they pickup something that I have missed in my maintenance, then that is no skin off my nose.

They never ride the bike, but always watch me carry out the "Braking Test. If I get the WOF done out of town (on holiday or whatever) it is always difficult to explain that as the bike has linked brakes, standing on the rear brake will not lock the back wheel, it also applies one front disc.

The worst experience I had with a WOF was the tosser in Tauranga who wanted me to put the bike on the brake rollers to check the brakes. Once I pointed out that it might not be a good idea to stand next to the bike, in case 400kg of Wing slid sideways and knocked him on his arse, he decided that wasn't a good idea.

**Will** · 4th January 2007, 23:15

Interesting reading

My experience with VTNZ Takanini has all been good. Not only do I take my bike there but also the cars, trailer and boat trailer. Everything but my bike has been failed at some stage for various reasons and it has all been explained to me. No problems.

With the previous bike WOF, I was given it for over a year

The story goes like this:
I thought my bike was due for a WOF so off I went just after Christmas to get another. The date was washed away but I could read 2005 so I left it till the last of 2005 to get another. Did the test, and by the way, I rode it to do the brake test, they wont. Chap goes in to get the sticker and comes out puzzled. Asked if I was selling the bike. Negative! Why? Well, it seems that the WOF doesn't expire for another 3 months (It was a young model and only needed a yearly WOF) would I like to leave it at that? Oh, no I said, I'm here now so I will have the latest one. So he comes back out and because he has a 2 week discrepency he made the date for the next WOF Jan 2007

Yes, I have just gone back to the same place and got another WOF. Always pass easily with the bike. It looks & sounds stock-standard but I have done some modifications to the height. Unfortunately the bike is of an age where I will have to go every 6 months now. It's always good for a social chat though. Everyone talks to you when you have a bike.

**What?** · 5th January 2007, 06:04

Originally Posted by Rhino

The worst experience I had with a WOF was the tosser in Tauranga...

Yep - them's the bastards that got me pissed off. 3 times (OK - I'm a slow learner) they failed me on non-existant faults. The last time, I took my Holden into the shop to get something fixed and the mechanic rang me and said "You've been to the testing station, haven't you? We get this sort of crap all the time."
Then there's the saga of my trailer tyres...

**mikey62** · 5th January 2007, 07:04

Took the bike to one of those VTNZ places and the guy failed me on my rear tyre A: because it was marginal (could handle thet) but B: because he noticed a small metallic speck and said it was a nail. Ok no probs get the bike home and picked the small metallic speck out and it was the leg end of a staple ! Rode back and showed the guy the staple and got my little sticker. Still got the tyre done.

**Motu** · 5th January 2007, 07:22

Originally Posted by peasea

What is the right answer? tell me that.

What is the right question - we need to start there.

What always makes me laugh on these WoF threads is how people get upset when their vehicle fails on a valid fault....and also get upset when it passes on their percieved fault that isn't relavent.The customers have no idea what comprises the WoF test,but are always willing to comment....

**pervert** · 5th January 2007, 07:47

Originally Posted by Motu

The customers have no idea what comprises the WoF test,but are always willing to comment....

What makes me laugh is that plenty of WOF inspectors have no idea what should pass and what should fail either...some don't even know what the LVVTA is...

**Ixion** · 5th January 2007, 07:52

It should be born in mind that many of the motorcycle testers are not really bikers. Either they rode a bit 30 years ago and still have a grandfathered class 6 licence (like Helen Clark) or they ride a scooter (like the guy at my local place - nice enough guy, but clueless as).

**Flyingpony** · 5th January 2007, 08:24

Originally Posted by Will

With the previous bike WOF, I was given it for over a year

That is a nice surprise!
Though, ring LTSA to confirm it's not a misprint. Discovered on my bike recently while preparing for it's annual WOF, thought they'd given me an 18 month slip but then it clicked, 6 months ... as in ... it expired 6 months ago

Rang LTSA and she was still valid, just slip was wrong

**avgas** · 5th January 2007, 08:52

Originally Posted by Rhino

I agree with you Riffer. I usually take the `Wing to VTNZ Kingsland (Auckland) and invariably it gets checked over by one of the bike riding testers there. They have always been straight with me.

Hate to rain on the parade here, but its the kingsland wof place that is stuffing me around now, been getting wof's from there for about 6 years. Only in the last year has things been getting a bit silly. Its the chinese chap and one of the indians that seem to give me the strife.

**avgas** · 5th January 2007, 08:55

Originally Posted by Ixion

It should be born in mind that many of the motorcycle testers are not really bikers. Either they rode a bit 30 years ago and still have a grandfathered class 6 licence (like Helen Clark) or they ride a scooter (like the guy at my local place - nice enough guy, but clueless as).

Very true, im no power systems engineer - but likewise if i have a problem that i think the customer understands, i at least ask him.
How come the wof testers cant do the same. Are we suppose to call their bluff all the time?

**Ixion** · 5th January 2007, 10:01

Originally Posted by avgas

Hate to rain on the parade here, but its the kingsland wof place that is stuffing me around now, been getting wof's from there for about 6 years. Only in the last year has things been getting a bit silly. Its the chinese chap and one of the indians that seem to give me the strife.

This seems to be a common theme. Ask Mr Motu about Indian WoF testers.