Consultation closes this week on planned changes to the Warrant of Fitness system.
Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
The Motor Trade Association has warned proposed changes to the Warrant of Fitness system could lead to higher repair costs and safety issues.
Consultation closes on Wednesday on the plan, which would see inspections become less frequent for some light vehicles and the first WOF lasting four years.
Light vehicles are cars, motorcycles, vans, people-movers, trailers, taxis and rideshare services like Uber.
The proposed changes would see the first warrant for new cars shifted from three to four years, replace annual warrants for four- to 10-year-old cars from annually to every two years. There would be no change for 10- to 25-year-old car warrant requirements, which would remain as annual, while 25- to 10-year-old cars would require annual warrants, instead of every six months.
MTA head of advocacy James McDowall told Morning Report longer periods without checks could result in unsafe cars on the roads and higher repair bills.
He said he could see the political temptation of the prospect of a $70 saving for some motorists, but longer intervals between warrants could lead to higher repair costs.
RNZ has asked the Associate Minister of Transport for comment.
McDowall said there was a high rate of warrant failure- of over 40 percent if brand new vehicles were excluded – and up to 31 percent for four- to 10-year-old vehicles.
“The reality is it might save one warrant, but problems just compound over time.
“If tyres are not being looked at – not only are these major safety concerns – but those tyres will get worse, then you’ll have implications on your brakes, and if they’re not addressed in the 12 month window, if they’re left to get worse, then suddenly you’re looking at brake pads, rotors and potential suspension problems.
“It might save you $70 for one check, but the repairs can be much worse,” McDowall said.
The MTA has called on the government to retain the first warrant at three years, which it said was “already late for picking up tyre and brake wear” given new vehicles can quickly rack up high mileage, and restrict the proposed two-yearly checks to three- to seven-year-old vehicles.
It also wanted to see higher risk vehicles targeted, allowing for more detailed inspections.
NZTA’s cost-benefit analysis on the proposed changes stated shifting the WoF for new vehicles from three years to four could lead to one to two fatal crashes, four to fourteen serious crashes and 18 to 74 more minor crashes between 2027 and 2055.
It predicted it would lead to up to 73 vehicle inspectors roles being lost and a loss of revenue for the light vehicle inspection industry of between $9 million and $10m a year over the same period.
Altering the frequency of inspections for four- to 10-year-old cars could see up to eight fatal crashes, up to 52 serious crashes and up to 313 minor crashes between 2027 and 2055, as well as up to $49m in lost revenue a year for the inspection industry and a reduction in up to 350 FTE registered vehicle inspectors, the analysis said.
The New Zealand light vehicle fleet is older than other comparable countries, with the average light vehicle aged 15 years, compared to 10 years overseas, according to the NZTA.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop [ https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/work-accelerates-ambitious-land-transport-reforms previously said] the changes were part of the government’s work to modernise transport rules.
“These changes are about increasing our transport system’s productivity and safety. The current rules are riddled with outdated or nonsensical requirements which create unnecessary burdens for Kiwis,” Bishop said.
Associate Transport Minister James Meager said in October that New Zealand had of the most frequent testing regimes globally. “We want to make sure we’re not placing unnecessary costs or time pressures on Kiwis, while still keeping everyone safe on the road.
“We’re looking at how other jurisdictions handle this. For example, Europe checks light vehicles every two years, and most states in Australia and provinces in Canada only require a WOF when the vehicle changes ownership, or when a defect is identified.”
The Automobile Association has said inspection periods should based on distance travelled rather than age of the vehicle.
In September, rules were changed to mandate less frequent certificates of fitness for and warrants of fitness for vintage vehicles (from twice yearly to every 12 months).