WoF system safety paramount - Northland road safety campaigners

A WOF issued by Dargaville Diesel to a car that was later involved in a fatal accident has sparked an overhaul of the Warrant of Fitness System.

Northland road safety officials have stressed the importance of the warrant of fitness process being conducted properly after a Northland garage was stripped of its WoF licence.

Automobile Association Northland District Council chairman Steve Westgate said a WoF is a key part of getting safe cars on our roads.

"It quite clearly needs to be done properly," Westgate said.

It was a view shared by Northland regional transport committee chairman John Bain who said it was "absolutely" crucial the warrant process was done properly.

"It's that important to everybody. Shortcuts cannot be taken lightly for issuing warrants of fitness," Bain said.

He said a WoF was an essential part of looking after and maintaining a car.

"It's an important part of road safety to have a car in a safe condition."

Dargaville Diesel Specialists (DDS) was suspended from issuing WoF in August after a police investigation into a fatal crash in January found the front passenger's seatbelt was frayed and failed in the crash.

Passenger William Ball died 26 days later. The driver has pleaded guilty to driving-related charges and it yet to be sentenced.

Close to two-thirds of vehicles retested after being issued a warrant of fitness from DDS failed their first recheck. The NZ Transport Agency acknowledged its regulatory regime had failed Ball, alongside DDS.

NZTA was aware DDS had serious regulatory compliance issues on an intermittent basis since 2011. There were several chances to undertake enforcement action - the most serious infraction was just weeks before the crash when NZTA observed DDS issuing warrants without inspecting vehicles properly.

Westgate said it was disappointing NZTA hadn't taken action earlier but he hoped it could get on top of the problem and "play their full part in ensuring the cars on our road are safe to be driven".

Westgate acknowledged there will be a section of society who will chose to drive unwarranted cars.

"They are a risk not only to themselves but other law-abiding motorists."

Motor Trade Association chief executive Craig Pomare said mechanics are very conscious of the important role they play in keeping people safe on the roads. DDS was not an MTA member but MTA is working with NZTA to ensure this type of accident doesn't happen again.

In Northland 40 per cent of WoFs fail on average per year, compared with the national average of 38 per cent.

Pomare said MTA appreciated NZTA has put its hand up to take some of the blame, but is concerned NZTA knew of problems for seven years and didn't act decisively.

"The problem is not with the regulations, it has been with the enforcement."

Transport Minister Phil Twyford has requested the Ministry of Transport review NZTA's performance of its regulatory functions.

He said the review by law firm Meredith Connell into NZTA compliance files was making good progress but in light of the DDS case, it was appropriate to ask for external advice on NZTA's regulatory performance.

Dargaville Diesel Specialists owner Rodney Wilson disputed that he had a shoddy inspection system.

He said he had been involved in mechanics for 50 years and there was no way he would do anything that impacted on people's safety.

"I've had 50 years in the mechanics trade and they are telling me that I don't know anything about cars and safety. It's bull****," Wilson said.