Warrants for vehicles first registered anywhere in the world; BEFORE the year 2000 – issued for 6 months, AFTER the year 2000 – issued for 12 months. New vehicles are now issued with a three year warrant of fitness. LPG WoFs are issued for a maximum of 12 months. Putting right the myth about warrants of fitness and the safety of your car. Many people believe that if their car has a current warrant of fitness, particularly if it has just passed a WoF, that it is safe until the next warrant is due (in 6 or 12 months time). Not true.
A warrant inspection is only current for that day.
It does’nt tell you if you car will be safe for the next 6 or 12 month period of the WoF. Here are a couple of basic examples.
Brakes
Your brake pads may be very low, but when the car is tested
- it passes the efficiency tests
- it doesn’t pull to one side
- the brake pads can’t be seen through the wheel
So the brakes may pass the warrant inspection. This doesn’t tell you how worn you brakes are, just that they worked on the day they were checked.
Tyres
Your tyre tread may be at 1.5mm across the width of the tyre which is the minimum required for a warrant of fitness.
As soon as you start to drive more of the tread is wearing and it won’t be very long before the tyres are below minimum and therefore not legal for a warrant of fitness.
Servicing
(preventative maintenance) reduces the chance of running out of brakes or tyre tread as well as finding other wear and tear of your vehicle so that parts can be replaced before they become critical safety items.
Information can be found on the NZTA website