WOF Basics
A Warrant of Fitness (WOF) is a periodic vehicle safety inspection required for all New Zealand vehicles. It checks that your car meets minimum safety standards before it can be driven on public roads.
What Inspectors Check
- Brakes – pad thickness, disc condition, handbrake
- Tyres – tread depth, condition, correct size
- Lights – all operational including brake, reverse, indicators
- Steering and suspension – play, wear, fluid leaks
- Windscreen and wipers – cracks, wiper blade condition
- Seatbelts – all locking correctly
- Body and chassis – rust, structural damage
Common Failure Points
The most common WOF failures are tyre tread depth below 1.5mm, brake pad wear, and cracked or chipped windscreens. These are straightforward to fix – the key is catching them before your inspection date.
