A warrant of fitness (WOF) checks that your car meets the basic safety standards on the day it's inspected: tyres, brakes, steering and suspension, lights, glass, seatbelts and airbags, structure and rust, and a handful of other items. It isn't a service, so it doesn't look at how healthy the engine is or how long the gearbox has left.
The inspector works through a set list from the NZTA's Vehicle Inspection Requirements Manual (the VIRM). Here's that list in plain words, so nothing at the counter is a surprise.
What's on the WOF checklist?
- Tyres and wheels: tread depth (at least 1.5 mm in the main grooves), cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and matching tyres on each axle. More on this in how much tread your tyres need to pass a WOF.
- Brakes: how well they stop the car, whether they pull to one side, the handbrake, and leaks in the brake lines and hoses.
- Steering and suspension: wear or play in the joints, damaged springs or shock absorbers, and anything loose that shouldn't be.
- Lights: headlights (including aim), tail lights, brake lights, indicators, number plate light and reflectors.
- Glass: windscreen damage in the driver's view, and window tint levels.
- Wipers and washers: they need to work and actually clear the screen.
- Mirrors: fitted, secure and usable.
- Doors: they open and close properly, from the inside and out.
- Seatbelts: condition, buckles, and that they lock and retract as they should.
- Airbags: the warning light works, and isn't showing a fault.
- Structure and rust: corrosion or damage in the parts of the body that hold the car together, and in the areas around seatbelt and suspension mounts.
- Exhaust: leaks, how secure it is, and excessive noise or smoke.
- Fuel system: no leaks.
- Speedometer and horn: both need to work.
- Identification: registration plates and the vehicle identification number (VIN).
From 1 November 2026, the inspector also checks there's no warning or fault light showing for driver-assist (ADAS) systems that help steer or brake the car, such as automatic emergency braking. Our article on the new WOF rules from 1 November 2026 covers that change and how often your car now needs a WOF.
What doesn't a WOF check?
A WOF is a safety check on the day, not a health check for the whole car. It doesn't tell you:
- how much life the engine, gearbox or clutch has left
- when your oil, coolant or brake fluid is due for a change
- when your cambelt is due
- how your car will go next month
That's the job of a service. A car can pass its WOF on Tuesday and need a cambelt on Wednesday. If you're not sure which one you need, our article on the difference between a WOF and a service explains it in a couple of minutes.
What are the most common reasons for a WOF fail?
Many fails are simple ones: a blown bulb, worn tyres, worn wiper blades, a chipped windscreen in the driver's view, and brakes that need pads.
Most of these you can spot at home in ten minutes:
- Walk round the car with someone pressing the brake pedal and flicking each indicator.
- Look at the tyres for the wear bars and any bulges.
- Run the wipers with the washers on.
- Check every seatbelt clicks in and pulls back.
- Toot the horn. Your neighbours will cope.
How do you get a WOF at Midas Albany?
We're an NZTA-authorised WOF site at 3C Saturn Place, Albany. A WOF is $79.99. If anything fails, you get the reason and the price before we fix it, and nothing starts until you've said yes.
If your car failed its WOF somewhere else, you can have the repairs done by any mechanic you choose. Bring the fail sheet and we'll quote the listed items. Read Failed your WOF? Your rights and what to do next, or see the failed your WOF section on our home page.
We're a family-owned workshop, here since 2004, and MTA Assured. Customers come from Albany, Rosedale, Unsworth Heights, Pinehill, Oteha, Greenhithe and across the North Shore.
Call Robin on 09 415 6595, Book online, or Request a callback. Open Mon-Fri 7:30am-4:30pm and Sat 8am-12pm.
FAQ
How long does a WOF take?
It depends on the car. We'll give you a time when you book.
Does a WOF include a service?
No. A WOF checks the safety items on the day. A service changes the oil and filters and looks after the parts that wear. They're separate jobs, though many people book them together.
How much is a WOF at Midas Albany?
$79.99. If anything fails, you get the reason and the price before we fix it.
Written by the Midas Albany team.