Feature article

WOF Ready: What Passes, What Fails, and the Surprising Fails You Didn't See Coming

Learn what’s required for a Warrant of Fitness in NZ.

1 May 2026

By Jess Hickman (Motors Content Creator and Senior Designer)

The Must-Haves: What Passes a WOF

Things to check

Tyres	Tyres	Must have a tread depth of at least 1.5mm around the entire tyre. They also need to be free of damage like cracks, bulges, or exposed cords.	Must have a tread depth of at least 1.5mm around the entire tyre. They also need to be free of damage like cracks, bulges, or exposed cords.
Brakes	Brakes	Your footbrake and handbrake must be in good working order, with no leaks in the brake system. This is tested on a brake roller machine, that rotates the wheels and measures braking force. An imbalance of braking force compromises your ability to stop safely.	Your footbrake and handbrake must be in good working order, with no leaks in the brake system. This is tested on a brake roller machine, that rotates the wheels and measures braking force. An imbalance of braking force compromises your ability to stop safely.
Lights	Lights	All your lights need to be working – headlights (both high and low beam), brake lights, indicators, and even the number plate light.	All your lights need to be working – headlights (both high and low beam), brake lights, indicators, and even the number plate light.
Structure	Structure	The vehicle's body must be free from significant rust, especially in structural areas like around seatbelt mounts.	The vehicle's body must be free from significant rust, especially in structural areas like around seatbelt mounts.
Visibility	Visibility	Your windscreen needs to be clean and free of large cracks in the driver's line of sight. Wipers and washers must work effectively.	Your windscreen needs to be clean and free of large cracks in the driver's line of sight. Wipers and washers must work effectively.
Safety Belts	Safety Belts	Seatbelts must be in good condition, without any fraying or damage, and the buckles must work correctly.	Seatbelts must be in good condition, without any fraying or damage, and the buckles must work correctly.
Steering & Suspension	Steering & Suspension	The steering must be safe and secure, and the suspension systems need to be in good working order.	The steering must be safe and secure, and the suspension systems need to be in good working order.
Exhaust	Exhaust	Your exhaust system must be secure, without any leaks, and it can't be excessively noisy or smoky.	Your exhaust system must be secure, without any leaks, and it can't be excessively noisy or smoky.

The Common Culprits: Why Most Cars Fail

Lights, Lights, Lights: A blown bulb is one of the most frequent reasons for a WOF failure. It's easy to miss a faulty brake light or indicator when you're always inside the car.
Worn Tyres: Tyres are a close second for common failures. It’s not just about tread depth; uneven wear or damage to the tyre wall can also lead to a fail.
Brake Issues: If it’s evident your vehicle has worn brake pads, cracked brake hoses, brake imbalance or a spongy pedal these are red flags for inspectors.
Wiper Woes: Ineffective or worn-out wiper blades are another common, and easily preventable, reason for failure.

The Surprising Fails: What You Might Not Expect

Airbag Warning Light: If your car's airbag warning light is on, it's an automatic fail. This indicates a fault in the airbag system, which is a critical safety feature.
Speedometer Not Working: You might be used to judging your speed by the flow of traffic, but a non-functioning speedometer is a no-go for a WOF.
Sun Visor Can't Hold Its Position: That floppy sun visor that won't stay up? It's more than just an annoyance; if it can't hold its adjusted position, it's considered a safety hazard and a reason for failure.
Fuel System Leaks: Even a minor fuel leak is a serious fire hazard and an instant WOF fail.
Modified Exhausts without Certification: If you've got a custom exhaust, it needs to be certified by the Low Volume Vehicle Technical Association (LVVTA) to be legal.
Excessive Play in Steering: (REVISED SECTION) If your steering feels a bit loose, it could be a sign of worn components. This "play" will be picked up by an inspector and can lead to a fail. Wear-and-tear on steering and suspension components can vary between makes and models, and it shows why the independent WOF standard is so important. In one recent case, a Tesla Model 3 owner had their car fail a WOF due to excessive play in the ball joints, even though the manufacturer had initially deemed it within their own specifications. This highlights that NZTA regulations are the final word for all vehicles on NZ roads, ensuring a consistent safety standard regardless of brand.

WOF vs. Servicing: Is a WOF a Guarantee of Safety?

Author

Jess Hickman

Motors Content Creator and Senior Designer