Warrant of Fitness (WOF)
Irwin Motors is a New Zealand Transport Agency appointed Warrant of Fitness Vehicle Inspector for cars, trailers and motorbikes.
A warrant of fitness (WOF) is a regular check to ensure that your vehicle meets required safety standards.
It’s your job to keep your vehicle up to WOF condition at all times. For example, while tyres on your vehicle may pass on the day of your warrant inspection, you’ll need to replace them as soon as the tread gets to the minimum depth. If you wait until the next inspection before replacing them, you increase your risk of having a crash or receiving a fine.
How often is a WOF required?
The length of time a WOF is issued for is calculated based on the vehicle’s date of first registration in New Zealand or overseas.
For new vehicles, after an initial inspection, another WOF inspection won't be required until the third anniversary of their first registration.
A vehicle less than 2 years old will need a WOF on the third anniversary of when it was first registered.
If the vehicle is more than two years old, but less than 3 years old, it will need a WOF every 12 months.
Vehicles first registered anywhere in the world on or after 1 January 2000 will need a WOF inspections every 12 months for their lifetime.
Vehicles first registered before 1 January 2000 will need a WOF every 6 months.
It is illegal to drive a vehicle if it doesn't meet WOF requirements or it doesn't display a WOF label.
The WOF is a general safety check and includes:
- tyre condition
- brake operation
- structural condition
- lights
- glazing
- windscreen washers and wipers
- doors
- safety belts
- air bags
- speedometer
- steering and suspension
- exhaust
- fuel system
If your vehicle fails a WOF inspection, you cannot drive it on the road unless you're taking it somewhere to get it repaired or to get a new WOF - and it's safe to do so.
