Warrant of Fitness - WoF
Te Rapa Automotive is authorised by the NZTA to be a Warrant of Fitness (WoF) inspecting organisation.
As a full service Hamilton garage, we can carry out any repairs required to bring your vehicle up to WoF standard.
What is a Warrant of Fitness?
A 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.
A WoF is not a pre-purchase inspection.
It’s illegal to drive a vehicle if it doesn’t meet WoF requirements, or if it doesn’t display a valid WoF label. This includes if your vehicle fails a WoF inspection. You can drive your vehicle on the road under these circumstances only when taking it somewhere for repair or to get a new WoF – as long as it’s safe to do so.
How often is a WoF required?
Vehicles first registered anywhere in the world on or after 1 January 2000 will need annual Warrant of Fitness inspections for their lifetime.
Vehicles first registered before 1 January 2000 will need 6-monthly WoF inspections.
For new vehicles, after an initial inspection, another WoF inspection won’t be required until the 3rd anniversary of their first registration.
For up-to-date information about WoFs, refer to NZTA.
What a WoF inspection covers
The Warrant of Fitness inspection is a general safety check. The aspects checked include:
- tyre condition (including tread depth)
- brake operation
- structural condition (rust is not allowed in certain areas)
lights - glazing (is your windscreen safe?)
- windscreen washers and wipers
- doors (do they open and close safely?)
- safety belts (must not be damaged or overly faded; buckles must work properly)
- airbags (if fitted)
- speedometer (must be working)
- steering and suspension (must be safe and secure)
- exhaust (there must be no leaks and the exhaust must not be smoky or louder than the original exhaust system)
- fuel system (there must be no leaks).
Upcoming Changes To WoF Requirements
New Zealand’s Warrant of Fitness (WoF) and Certificate of Fitness A (CoF A) light vehicle inspection requirements are being reformed, with the aim of saving Kiwis time and money.
Changes will come into effect in two stages.
From 1 November 2026:
- New light vehicles will require their second WoF after four years instead of three.
- Light vehicles over 14 years old and motorcycles registered before 1 January 2000 will move to annual WoF inspections (up from six‑monthly for some vehicles).
- Light rental vehicles will move from six-monthly to yearly inspections.
- WoF and CoF A inspections expand to include certain Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) features.
- Light vehicles 4-14 years old and registered on or after 1 November 2019 will transition from annual to two-yearly WoF inspections.
From 1 November 2027:
- Light vehicles 4-14 years old and registered on or after 1 November 2013 will transition from annual to two-yearly WoF inspections.
Read the press release on the Beehive website.
If you’ve modified your car, motorcycle, van or other light vehicle you may need a low volume vehicle certificate.
Find out how we can help on our Modifications page.