Source: Radio New Zealand
Consultation closes this week on planned changes to the Warrant of Fitness system. 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.
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.
Associate Transport Minister James Meager said the proposed changes aimed to increase the transport system’s productivity and safety.
“New Zealand has one of the most frequent inspection systems in the OECD,” he said in a statement to RNZ.
“Vehicle technology has advanced, and new vehicles are much safer than they used to be.
“We want to focus inspections on older vehicles where they matter most, improve compliance, and make the system efficient and future ready.
He said the proposals aimed to strike a balance of removing costly inefficiencies which burden Kiwi motorists, while targeting the vehicles such as older fleets which pose the greatest safety risks.
The government was also consulting on new safety features for imported vehicles, such as automatic emergency braking and lane assist technology, which could help prevent crashes and deaths on the road.
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.
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).
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand