Dummies' Guide - How to Pass a WOF First Time: The Most Common Fails and How to Fix Them

Yellow Kiwi

Sep 20, 2026

Last confirmed 4 November 2026

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Dummies' Guide - How to Pass a WOF First Time: The Most Common Fails and How to Fix Them

Last checked November 2026. The WOF rules changed on 1 November 2026, so use the links at the end of this guide to confirm the current rules and fees before you rely on any date or amount.

At a glance: the 10-minute pre-WOF check

A warrant of fitness (WOF) is the safety check that keeps a car legal on New Zealand roads. Failing one is annoying and can be costly, but most fails come from small things you can spot and fix yourself in ten minutes. This guide covers what inspectors look at, the most common fails, how to prepare, and the rule changes that started on 1 November 2026.

What a WOF Is (and Isn't)

A WOF is a general safety check. It is not a check of the car's mechanical health. A car can pass a WOF and still have an engine or gearbox problem, which is why we always recommend a pre-purchase inspection when you're buying.

Inspectors check things such as tyres and tread, brakes, structure and rust, lights, glass, wipers and washers, doors, seatbelts, airbags, the speedometer, steering and suspension, the exhaust, and the fuel system.

The Most Common Fails and How to Fix Them

Area	What fails	The fix
Lights	Blown bulbs, cracked lenses, brake lights or indicators not working	Replace the bulb. Often a simple DIY job (see our bulb guide).
Tyres	Tread below 1.5 mm, cuts, bulges, cords showing, uneven wear	Replace the tyre. Don't put this one off (see below).
Wipers and washers	Torn blades, washers that don't spray	New blades, top up or unblock the jets.
Steering and suspension	Worn bushes, ball joints, leaking or weak shock absorbers	A job for a mechanic.
Brakes	Thin pads, uneven braking, handbrake not holding, leaks	A job for a mechanic.
Windscreen	Cracks or damage in the driver's view	Chip repair or a replacement screen.
Seatbelts	Frayed or damaged webbing, buckles that don't latch	Replace the belt.
Exhaust	Leaks, smoke, or louder than original	Repair or replace the section.
Structure	Rust in structural areas	Repair by a workshop, which can be expensive.

Industry figures commonly show lights at the top of the fail list, then steering and suspension, with tyres, brakes and wipers also near the top.

Don't delay on tyres. If a tyre is clearly unsafe, treat it as an immediate priority after a fail. Tyres are the only thing between your car and the road.

Warning Lights on the Dashboard

Dashboard warning lights can matter to an inspector, especially the airbag and brake system lights. A light that stays on, or never comes on when you turn the key, is worth looking into before your WOF. Ask your inspection station what they'll check on your car. Since 1 November 2026, inspectors also check that no warning or malfunction indicators are showing for driver assistance systems such as Automatic Emergency Braking and Lane Keep Assist, where a car has them. See our guide on what your dashboard warning lights mean.

The 10-Minute Pre-WOF Check

Lights: headlights (low and high beam), parkers, indicators, hazards, brake lights and reversing lights. Ask a friend to watch, or reverse toward a shop window.
Horn works.
Wipers and washers: clean sweep, no tearing, and the jets spray.
Tyres: tread depth, cuts and bulges, pressure (including the spare).
Windscreen: cracks or chips in the driver's view.
Seatbelts: pull and click each one.
Doors: all open, close and latch.
Handbrake: holds on a slope.
Dashboard: warning lights come on then go out as normal.
Under the car: any obvious leaks or hanging parts.

If Your Car Fails

You'll get a list of what failed. Fix those items.
Generally you have 28 days to get the fixes done and back for a recheck, and the recheck is normally free if you return to the same inspection site. Ask when you book.
Don't drive on a failed WOF longer than you have to. An expired WOF can be a fine.

The WOF Changes From 1 November 2026

From 1 November 2026, NZTA changed how often light vehicles need a WOF:

New vehicles: the second WOF is now due after 4 years, not 3.
Vehicles 4 to 14 years old: from annual to every 2 years, in two stages. Vehicles first registered on or after 1 November 2019 moved on 1 November 2026. Vehicles first registered between 1 November 2013 and 31 October 2019 move on 1 November 2027, and still need a WOF every year until then.
Older vehicles (over 26 years old, and motorcycles registered before 1 January 2000): from every 6 months to annual, from 1 November 2026.
Rental vehicles: from every 6 months to annual.

Cars in between (about 15 to 26 years old) stay on annual WOFs. NZTA has also increased the infringement fee for a WOF expired more than two months from $200 to $350, and for wheel and tyre offences from $150 to $350. Check your own vehicle's due date on NZTA's site, because these details can be updated.

How Much Does a WOF Cost?

Prices vary by inspection site, and a fail adds the cost of repairs. Ring around and compare. We mention an approximate figure in our budget car guide for getting a fresh WOF before you sell.

Check the Latest Before You Rely on This

We last checked this guide in November 2026, just after the changes started. Rules and fees can be updated again, so look at the official NZTA pages before you rely on them:

Need a Hand Before Your WOF?

Need a part to fix a fail? Request a Part and tell us your car and plate, and we'll source it or follow up with options. Want a mechanic to check your car first? Visit Our Workshop to book a service.