WoFs – the buck stops with YOU

Recent events around illegal Warrant of Fitness inspections involving an MTA member have highlighted the consequences if the rules are not followed.

With this in mind, I thought it would be timely to offer MTA members some solutions if you are faced with the situation where an approved vehicle inspector isn’t available. Everyone needs a break, and if you are planning on taking some time out away from your shop and your doors are still open with no licenced inspector available there are several options available.

A bit of planning can go be beneficial to your business and to your customers. If you have a break planned on a certain date, why not look at your customers’ WoF expiry dates either from your software solution, or from previous inspections, and contact them to come in earlier prior to their expiry date?

Advise customers you are closed or are not able to conduct WoF inspections around the time their WoF is due to expire. Getting them in a few weeks early would not be much of an inconvenience to your customers, and then you can post-date the WoF to assist.

Another option could be collaborating with another workshop close to yours that you can arrange a contra deal or business arrangement with. This could work in both parties’ favour, and you could then help the other workshop if they are in the same situation.

Come to an arrangement that they will conduct your warrants while you are not able to, and you could offer the same in return if they are in a similar position in the future. Give MTA’s member services officers a call if you need help to find your nearest MTA member. They will be able to put you in touch with someone.

Best solution

The best solution to the problem is to have more appointed vehicle inspectors within your business.

In October 2023 the price for sitting your inspection certification with Waka Kotahi is set to be removed and if you are looking to appoint a new vehicle inspector, MTA can help with our WoF training and QMS solution. Understanding the ramifications of having non-certified personal carrying out WoF inspections needs to be clearly understood. Even one warrant inspected and entered into WoF online by noncertified staff is an offence. The consequences when this is picked up by Waka Kotahi will be detrimental to your business. Having a criminal record attached to you will have longlasting limitations that are not worth the risk for the sake of a few dollars for a Warrant of Fitness inspection.

As the previous articles around non-compliant personnel conducting WoFs clearly outline, it is an offence to undertake this practice, and if you as the business owner hold the inspection organisation certification, the buck stops with you.