“Compared to other countries, New Zealand has very frequent inspections for light vehicles. Modern light vehicles are significantly safer and more reliable, but our rules haven’t kept pace, imposing unnecessary costs on motorists. Other countries including Ireland, Germany, Japan, and Australia inspect every one to two years or at ownership change and achieve comparable or better safety outcomes,” Mr Bishop says.
“The Government’s changes mean that most light vehicles under 14 years old will move to two-yearly WoF inspections (up from yearly), and new vehicles will go four years before their second WoF. Older vehicles, motorcycles, and light rental vehicles will move from six-monthly to yearly inspections.
“These simple changes will deliver massive benefits for Kiwis. The cost-benefit analysis shows the changes are expected to deliver between $2.6 billion and $4.1 billion in net benefits over 30 years through reduced inspection fees, less time spent on compliance, and fewer unnecessary repairs.
This is an excellent move. The current regime imposes huge costs for little if any benefit. A brand new car doesn’t need to have a check up after 12 months.
Most US states, Australian states and Canadian provinces don’t even have any mandated regular check. Our new regime is a sensible compromise.
David Farrar runs Curia Market Research, a specialist opinion polling and research agency, and the popular Kiwiblog where this article was sourced. He previously worked in the Parliament for eight years, serving two National Party Prime Ministers and three Opposition.
5 comments:
Yes, NZers pay huge amounts of money to mitigate tiny risks.
Just as the truck lobbyist organisation has enormous influence over the NZTA, ditto the wof industry. (note the enormous concerted campaign for heavier trucks). Decades ago we were conned into an absurdly pedantic anti corrosion regime. Allegedly to match overseas, but UK vehicles subject to salt were required to meet far lesser standards. It is absurd that with a 100,000 km car 3000 km between warrants I have to obtain an annual wof whereas new police cars and the like can clock 100,000 between wofs. On this occasson looks like the new car retailers have prevailed.
Trailer registration and wof cost discourage trailers and encourage large fuel inefficient vehicles.instead
My theori is if we do have a checking system it should be based on kilometers driven not a calendar interval, as above my motorbike does very few kms in winter but still needs a new WOF check after 12 months but a car or courier van can do 100,000kms in the same period.
i guess the govt have calculated that the drop in GDP with fewer WOFs will be more than compensated by all the scaffolding and other make work associated a loans bonanza for home solar.
Our local WOF station changes the same for a car and a motorcycle! Agree with earlier comments WOF should be mileage based but with a calender limit. Most tyre shops can carry out a tyre check if someone needs it for free or a nominal sum (lot less than a WOF check) Some Aus states only require a comprehensive WOF check when selling the vehicle. However, the owner can be fined heavily for operating an unsafe vehicle. (Fancy that; personal responsibility required from the owner!)
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