What does a WOF actually check?

A Warrant of Fitness checks that your car meets a minimum safety standard, covering things like tyres, brakes, lights, windscreen and wipers, suspension, steering, and structural condition such as rust.

What are the most common reasons cars fail a WOF?

Tyres below the legal tread depth, worn brake pads or discs, lights that don't work properly, cracked or chipped windscreens in the driver's line of sight, and rust in structural areas are among the most common.

Can I still drive my car if it fails a WOF?

You can drive to have the faults fixed and get it re-checked, but you shouldn't otherwise drive on an expired or failed WOF. If the fault is serious, such as a major brake issue, the car may not be safe to drive at all.

How much does a WOF cost?

WOF pricing varies between testing stations. Ask our team for our current WOF pricing when you book.

Can I get my WOF and a service done at the same time?

Yes. Our on-site workshop can do your WOF, service and any repairs in one visit, which saves you time.

What Does a WOF Check? Common Fail Reasons

A Warrant of Fitness, or WOF, is New Zealand's way of making sure a car is safe to be on the road. Every car needs one to stay legally registered, but a lot of drivers aren't sure exactly what's being checked, or why their car failed on something they didn't expect.

Our on-site workshop in Hamilton carries out WOFs, servicing and repairs every day. Here's a plain-English guide to what a WOF actually checks, and the most common reasons cars fail.

The Short Answer

A WOF is a safety check, not a quality check. It confirms your car meets a minimum legal safety standard, covering things like tyres, brakes, lights and structural condition. The most common fail points are tyres, brakes, lights and windscreens, most of which are straightforward and affordable to fix.

What a WOF Checks

Tyres and Wheels

Tread depth, condition, and that tyres are the right size and type for the vehicle.

Brakes

Brake pads, discs, and that the braking system is working effectively.

Lights

Headlights, indicators, brake lights and reflectors all need to work correctly.

Structure and Steering

Checks for rust in structural areas, plus steering and suspension condition.

A WOF also checks seatbelts, the windscreen and wipers, the horn, and the general structural condition of the vehicle.

How Often Do You Need One?

New vehicles get an initial WOF valid for three years. After that, how often you need one depends on when your car was first registered: vehicles first registered on or after 1 January 2000 need a WOF every 12 months, while vehicles first registered before 2000 need one every six months.

NZTA is changing these rules from 1 November 2026, which will mean fewer inspections for lower-risk vehicles. New vehicles will get their second WOF at four years instead of three. Vehicles between four and fourteen years old move to a two-yearly check, phased in by registration date through to November 2027. Vehicles between 14 and 26 years old stay on an annual WOF, unchanged, and vehicles over 26 years old move from six-monthly to annual. It's worth checking your vehicle's current requirement with NZTA or asking us when you next book in.

Your WOF expiry date is shown on your current WOF label or can be checked online. It's worth booking a week or two before it expires, so there's time to sort any issues without your registration lapsing.

The Most Common Reasons Cars Fail a WOF

1. Worn Tyres

Best for: Any car with tyres nearing the legal limit
Tyres below the legal tread depth are one of the most common fail points. It's an easy one to check yourself between WOFs, and catching it early means you can budget for new tyres rather than being caught out.
Worth knowing: Rotating your tyres regularly helps them wear evenly and last longer.

2. Worn Brakes

Best for: Cars that are due for a brake inspection
Brake pads and discs wear down over time, and a WOF checks that your brakes are working effectively. Getting your brakes checked at a regular service can often catch wear before it becomes a WOF fail.
Worth knowing: Squeaking or a soft pedal feel are worth mentioning to your workshop before your next WOF.

3. Lights Not Working

Best for: Any car with a blown bulb or hazy light lens
A blown headlight, indicator or brake light bulb is a simple, cheap fix, but it's one of the most common things picked up on a WOF check. A quick walk-around before your WOF, checking all your lights work, can save a re-check.
Worth knowing: Cloudy or yellowed headlight lenses can also affect how much light gets through at night.

4. Windscreen Damage

Best for: Cars with a chip or crack in the driver's line of sight
A chip or crack in the windscreen, particularly in the driver's direct line of sight, is a common fail point. Getting small chips repaired quickly can sometimes prevent them from spreading into a crack that needs a full replacement.
Worth knowing: Many windscreen repairs for small chips are quick and affordable.

5. Rust in Structural Areas

Best for: Older vehicles, especially those that spend time near the coast
Surface rust on panels usually isn't a problem, but rust in structural areas, like chassis rails or suspension mounting points, is treated more seriously. Regular checks catch this early, before it becomes a bigger repair.
Worth knowing: Regular washing, especially after driving near the coast, helps slow down rust.

What to Do Before Your WOF

Worth Checking Yourself

Walk around and check all your lights work
Look over your tyres for obvious wear or damage
Check your windscreen for chips or cracks
Make sure your wipers clear the windscreen properly

Worth Booking a Workshop For

A brake inspection if it's been a while since your last one
A general service alongside your WOF
Advice on anything you're unsure about before your check

What Happens If Your Car Fails?

If your car fails, you'll be given a list of what needs fixing. Most fails are for common, fixable items like the ones above, and once the faults are repaired, the car can usually be re-checked. If your WOF has already expired, you shouldn't drive the car except to get it repaired and re-checked.

Booking your WOF and any needed repairs at the same workshop makes this simple, since everything can be sorted in one visit.

WOF, Servicing and Repairs in Hamilton

Our on-site workshop handles WOFs, servicing and repairs for all makes and models, not just cars bought from us. Visit us 7 days a week at 20 Arthur Porter Drive, Hamilton, or call (07) 849 0083 to book.

WOF FAQs

New vehicles get an initial WOF valid for three years. After that, vehicles first registered on or after 1 January 2000 need a WOF every 12 months, while vehicles first registered before 2000 need one every six months. NZTA is changing these rules from 1 November 2026 to reduce inspections for lower-risk vehicles, so it's worth checking your current requirement with us or NZTA.
A Warrant of Fitness checks that your car meets a minimum safety standard, covering things like tyres, brakes, lights, windscreen and wipers, suspension, steering, and structural condition such as rust.
Tyres below the legal tread depth, worn brake pads or discs, lights that don't work properly, cracked or chipped windscreens in the driver's line of sight, and rust in structural areas are among the most common.
You can drive to have the faults fixed and get it re-checked, but you shouldn't otherwise drive on an expired or failed WOF. If the fault is serious, such as a major brake issue, the car may not be safe to drive at all.
WOF pricing varies between testing stations. Ask our team for our current WOF pricing when you book.
Yes. Our on-site workshop can do your WOF, service and any repairs in one visit, which saves you time.