The Government will allow most light vehicles under 14 years old to move to a two-year Warrant of Fitness inspection schedule, while new vehicles will have four years before they need to get their second Warrant of Fitness.
But one industry group is not convinced, arguing it could lead to more unsafe cars on the road.
The adjustments, to come into effect in the coming years, are expected to deliver between $2.6 billion and $4.1b in net benefits over 30 years, Minister of Transport Chris Bishop said, due to reduced inspection fees, less time spent on compliance and fewer unnecessary repairs.
“Compared to other countries, New Zealand has very frequent inspections for light vehicles,” the minister said.
“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.”
Older vehicles, motorcycles and light rental vehicles will also move from needing inspections every six months, to yearly inspections.
Bishop said the changes would “align inspection effort with actual safety risk”.
The changes follow consultation by the Government last year, with Bishop saying 74% of respondents were in favour of reducing inspections for lower-risk vehicles.
From November 1, 2026:
From November 1, 2027:
“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.”
Associate Minister of Transport James Meager said the changes mean that compulsory inspections will be focused where they make the biggest difference to safety – older and higher-risk vehicles.
“Data on safety risk shows an increase in crashes where vehicle factors were recorded for vehicles from about 15 years of age,” he said.
“We’re confident that the changes will not come at the expense of road safety. Inspections are being expanded to include modern safety systems, and the Government will also strengthen penalties for non-compliance and increase public education.”
Meager said modelling showed there could be an estimated 0.6-1.3% increase in defect-related crashes.
“However, New Zealand crash data shows defects identified during inspections contribute to a small proportion of death and serious injury crashes (3.5%), far less than other factors like speed, alcohol and drugs (23% and 34% respectively).”
Motor Trade Association (MTA) head of advocacy James McDowall said while the Government was pitching the changes as helping with the cost of living, motorists “will probably end up paying more in other costs – larger maintenance and repair bills due to the delay in inspections".
“When we canvassed MTA members, who conduct 80% of WoF inspections, for their views on the Government’s proposals last year there was widespread consensus that they would mean more unsafe vehicles on the roads,” McDowall said.
“The failure rate for [a] WoF is currently 41% with the existing rules and at any given time, there are over half a million vehicles on the road without a valid WoF. The new structure is hardly going to improve those figures.”
McDowall said the MTA had recommended the first warrant to last three years – not four – and for the twice-yearly check to end at seven years, rather than 14.
“Vehicles only needing a warrant every two years up to the age of 14 is going to mean more vehicles on the roads with dangerous faults like worn tyres and brakes. The reality is many motorists simply don’t keep a close eye on their vehicle’s condition, and rely on the WoF to find safety issues.”