Tougher, more costly WOFs in the offing
Efforts to see off cowboy operators offering dodgy warrants of fitness (WOFs) could push up prices for the safety check.
The New Zealand Transport Agency had begun clamping down on vehicle testing before Tuesday’s release of a highly critical report into its lack of action over a Dargaville garage that warranted a car later involved in a fatal crash.
Agency chairman Michael Stiassny has promised to continue a thorough overhaul that will include an end to the rolling over of inspector appointments.
Motor Trade Association (MTA) chief executive Craig Pomare supports closer monitoring of testing outlets. He said this could result in higher prices for WOFs as smaller garages found they couldn’t afford the time, equipment or training required to meet higher standards.
He said there may be a case for introducing a minimum price to stamp out the practice of offering WOFs for as little as $10, which some garages did simply to get customers in the door.
Cut prices tended to lead to once-over-lightly inspections, he said. ‘‘If a car is turned around in 10 minutes, they’re are not doing their job. The average time for a WOF is 45 minutes and the average price charged across the country is about $52.’’
Pomare said some of the MTA’s smaller members were looking to ‘‘pull the plug on doing inspections’’ as costs rose.
In order to retain sufficient testing facilities in rural areas, the Government may need to consider offering low-interest loans or other support to help garages purchase equipment, he said.
‘‘If you suddenly said they had to install [new machines] ... I suspect a large percentage would simply say: ‘That’s a $25,000 investment; we can’t do it.’ ’’
The Dargaville case sparked a major recall of more than 28,000 vehicles warranted by garages and inspectors that had failed to do proper checks.
Yesterday the agency recalled a further 3515 vehicles after suspending Invercargill inspector Donald Stewart McLean and his testing station, The WOF Man.
The agency has extended the offer of free retests until the end of March.