29/10/2026
Some information on the new WoF changes coming in next week.
The warrant of fitness system changes on 1 November 2026. Many of you won’t need to get a WoF as often. From 1 November:
• People who buy a new car will need their next WoF when the car is 4 years old.
• Cars between 4–14 years old will need a WoF every 2 years (previous it was yearly). We're doing this in phases (see a few bullets below).
• Cars over 14 years old will need a WoF yearly (previously it was every 6 months for vehicles registered before 1 January 2000).
• Motorcycles registered before 1 January 2000 will need a WoF yearly (previously it was every 6 months).
We'll make the change for cars between 4–14 years old in phases:
• From 1 November 2026, cars first registered on or after 1 November 2019 need a WoF every 2 years.
• From 1 November 2027, cars first registered from 1 November 2013 to 31 October 2019 will move to needing a WoF every 2 years.
Expiry dates for all current WoFs won’t change. That means you’ll still have to get a WoF when your vehicle’s current one expires. Your vehicle’s next WoF due date will reflect the above changes.
WoF inspections now check for warning lights for driver assists such as lane keep and automatic emergency braking – what we call "advanced driver assistance systems". You’ll need to fix a malfunctioning ADAS to get a WoF.
We’ve made these changes to the WoF system because for a long time we’ve had very frequent vehicle inspections compared to other countries. Modern vehicles are safer and more reliable than older vehicles, so it’s safer to have less frequent inspections. This’ll save you time and money.
It’s still your responsibility to maintain your vehicle to the WoF standard between inspections. To reinforce this we’ve increased fines:
• The fine for driving a vehicle with a WoF that’s expired by more than 2 months is now $350.
• The fine for driving a vehicle with a wheel or tyre that wouldn’t pass an inspection is now a minimum of $350 and up to $1000 (the maximum court-ordered fine).
Check your tyres, lights, indicators, windscreen wipers, and mirrors at least once a month and before a long trip. Also check your brakes are working well, and rust isn’t affecting the safety of your vehicle. Our website has more information on brakes and rust: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/check-your-car-safety-basics
It’s good to get your vehicle serviced yearly or every 10,000 kilometres (whichever happens first).
The above changes apply to light vehicles that need a WoF – so this includes trailers and caravans.
Also from 1 November 2026, rental vehicles that get a certificate of fitness will need a CoF A yearly, and will also be checked for malfunctioning ADAS.
