Getting a warrant of fitness (WoF) for your vehicle is a legal requirement if you plan to drive it on public roads, and you risk a hefty fine if you’re busted driving without one. So alongside petrol costs, services, registration and repairs, you’ll need to factor in the ongoing cost of a WoF into your driving budget.
So how much does a WoF cost? And what else should you know? Canstar takes a look.
How much does a WoF cost?
There is no set price for a WoF. But, you can expect to pay somewhere between $70-$95:
- Midas branches charge from around $70
- Pit Stop branches charge around $75 for a WoF
- The AA offers WoFs starting from $76 for AA members and $85 for non-members
- Tony’s Tyre & Auto Care offers a $75 WoF at select branches
- VTNZ, the largest vehicle inspection provider in New Zealand, charges $85 for a basic car WoF at most of its branches
While these prices are considered fairly standard, smaller, independent inspectors will have prices that could be well above or below these. Additionally, these prices are for a basic WoF for a car. If you have a camper/caravan, trailer, motorbike or other vehicle, or, you want extra add-ons, the price may vary.
Cheapest isn’t always best
While some garages may offer cheap WoFs, they may charge higher repair costs. Considering around 37% of vehicles failed their WoFs in the first three months of this year, it’s worth considering overall costs when deciding on which WoF inspector to use.
Compare Outstanding Value Car Insurance with Canstar
Looking for great value car insurance for you and your family? Each year, we release our car insurance awards, including winners for Insurer of the Year, Outstanding Value, and Most Satisfied Customers. As part of our award results, we also publish our Outstanding Value Star Ratings, covering car insurance for different age groups. Below are our top-rated providers in the drivers aged 30-49 category. Click here to view our complete car insurance Star Ratings for all age groups.
Comprehensive Cover: Drivers 30-49:
| Provider | Star Rating |
Car Insurer of the Year |
  |
 |
|
 |
 |
See here for our ratings methodology. The table above is an abridged version of our research. For the full results of our latest Car Insurance Ratings and Award, click here.
Add-ons
The costs listed above are for a simple car WoF, but many providers offer deals and extra services. For example, in addition to a WoF, car services help keep your car running smoothly. While you can get a service at any time, many providers offer a discount if done at the same time as your WoF. Some providers may also offer loyalty or membership discounts.
Where can you get a WoF?
In New Zealand, there are well over 3000 places where you can get a WoF check. So finding one nearby shouldn’t be an issue. As mentioned above, both AA and VTNZ, the largest vehicle inspectors, issue WoFs. Otherwise, many independent mechanics and garages do WoF inspections.
How to find a reliable inspector
Word of mouth is always good in this department. Ask friends and family, and do some quick Google searches to look at previous reviews.
As mentioned earlier, some places (such as VTNZ), do WoFs independently. Since they don’t offer repairs, they don’t have a vested interest in failing your vehicle.
While all providers are expected to be honest, most WoF inspectors also offer repairs, and failing your vehicle will be of financial benefit to them. Despite this, most mechanics should be trustworthy, as a good reputation goes a long way.
If you do feel your car has been unfairly failed, in an attempt to charge you for unnecessary repairs, you are permitted to take your vehicle elsewhere for a second opinion. Bear in mind that some mechanics are more thorough than others. Just because a new fault is picked up, that wasn’t mentioned by a previous mechanic, doesn’t mean they are trying to overcharge you.
At the end of the day, like with all services, WoF inspections can’t violate the Consumer Guarantees Act.
How long does a WoF last?
A WoF’s valid period depends on the age of the vehicle:
- Three years – for newly registered vehicles. After the expiry of this initial three-year WoF, you’ll need to get a new WoF every 12 months
- Twelve months – for vehicles first registered on or after January 1, 2000
- Six months – for any vehicles first registered prior to 2000
Additionally, if you have an existing WoF, expiring in 14 days or less, the new WoF will end a year from the day the existing WoF finishes, not from the date you get the new WoF. For example, if your current WoF expires on September 23, and you take your car in for a new WoF on September 18, the new WoF period will still end a year from September 23.
If your current WoF has more than 14 days left, however, your new WoF will be valid from the date the new WoF is issued, plus 14 additional days. This means you don’t need to try to get your money’s worth by booking your WoF inspection on the day your existing WoF expires. As long as it’s within the final two weeks of your current WoF expiring, you’ll get the full length of your WoF period.
How do I get a WoF?
You need to book an appointment with an inspection centre or garage. This should be done prior to the expiry of your existing WoF. If your existing WoF has already expired, you can no longer use your vehicle except for the purpose of taking it to get a new WoF. This means that even if you have an inspection scheduled, you can’t use your vehicle except to take it to that booking.
Some WoF inspection centres require you to book a time to drop off and pick up your car. Others offer no-appointment drive-in services, when you wait for your car’s WoF check. Typically, an inspection only takes around 30 minutes.
What if my car fails its WoF?
If your car fails its WoF, you’ll need make any necessary fixes. If your WoF inspector also does repairs, they can complete them for you and then reinspect your car for free. However, they must gain your permission before making any repairs.
If your car fails its WoF, you don’t have to pay for a reinspection if you have the defects fixed within 28 days and the reinspection completed by the same business that performed your initial WoF check, this includes using a different location of the same inspection/garage chain.
If your WoF inspector doesn’t do repairs, or you choose not to get the repairs made with the WoF inspector, you can take your vehicle elsewhere. However, you are only permitted to drive your vehicle to and from a repairer/WoF inspector. This includes if you have an existing WoF that is yet to expire.
If you take longer than 28 to fix your car, or use a different WoF inspector, you will have to pay for a second WoF.
Compare car insurance with Canstar
Is a WoF all you need?
To drive on the roads, alongside a WoF – and, of course, a driver licence – your vehicle must have a motor vehicle licence, also known as a rego. A rego is a record of the person legally responsible for the vehicle.
To update your rego, you must have a current WoF. Unlike a WoF, you can choose the length of rego period, and a discount is applied if you opt for a longer period. For example, paying for a 12-month rego is cheaper than buying four 3-month regos.
You can view a breakdown of the fees here.
Keeping your car roadworthy
It’s worth noting that your WoF inspector may advise you that while your vehicle has passed its WoF, it may still require work in the coming months. For example, it may soon need new tyres. If you fail to make the repairs, and are involved in an accident as a result, your insurer could refuse your claim.
It’s also a good idea to get your car serviced annually. It’s not a requirement, but it can help keep your car in good condition. Services vary between providers, and many providers offer multiple packages. Common services include:
- An engine flush
- Checking and adjusting tyre pressure
- Cleaning and replacing filters
- Cleaning and topping up oil
- Lubrication
→ Related article: How Much Does A Car Service Cost?
Compare Outstanding Value Car Insurance with Canstar
Looking for great value car insurance for you and your family? Each year, we release our car insurance awards, including winners for Insurer of the Year, Outstanding Value, and Most Satisfied Customers. As part of our award results, we also publish our Outstanding Value Star Ratings, covering car insurance for different age groups. Below are our top-rated providers in the drivers aged 30-49 category. Click here to view our complete car insurance Star Ratings for all age groups.
Comprehensive Cover: Drivers 30-49:
| Provider | Star Rating |
|
Car Insurer of the Year |
|
|
|
|
|
See here for our ratings methodology. The table above is an abridged version of our research. For the full results of our latest Car Insurance Ratings and Award, click here.
About the author of this page
Bruce Pitchers is Canstar NZ’s Content Manager. An experienced finance reporter, he has three decades’ experience as a journalist and has worked for major media companies in Australia, the UK and NZ, including ACP, Are Media, Bauer Media Group, Fairfax, Pacific Magazines, News Corp and TVNZ. As a freelancer, he has worked for The Australian Financial Review, the NZ Financial Markets Authority and major banks and investment companies on both sides of the Tasman.
In his role at Canstar, he has been a regular commentator in the NZ media, including on the Driven, Stuff and One Roof websites, the NZ Herald, Radio NZ, and Newstalk ZB.
Away from Canstar, Bruce creates puzzles for magazines and newspapers, including Woman’s Day and New Idea. He is also the co-author of the murder-mystery book 5 Minute Murder.
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