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Hi
I have recently purchased a 1979 poptop caravan, body is sound and chassis is strong, there is surface rust underneath, but nothing penetrating the metal.
The caravans rego has lapsed and doesnt have a warrant of fitness.

Please advise me to the steps im to take to get this vechile on the road, and are they going to be fussy over some surface rust, also does it need to have an electrical warrant to get a general warrant or only for camp sites etc.

Regards Joel

A caravan with a gross laden weight not exceeding 3500kg doesn't need to be continuously licensed. They can be unlicensed while off the road (for repairs or storage) but if it is unlicensed for 2 years then the registration is cancelled. To register the caravan you need to fill out a MR2B, available at a AA centre, and pay the registration fee.

It is the responsibility of the registered owner of the caravan to ensure the caravan has a current electrical warrant which is issued by a registered electrician. Most camping grounds in NZ will not allow a caravan into their site without a current electrical warrant. It is not a WOF requirement.

If the rust is structural then it will fail the WOF. A WOF inspector will have to inspect the rust on the caravan to determine if it is a reason for failure.

So from what you've said, my understanding is, get new plates for a lapsed trailer not exceeding 3500kgs, then take it for a warrant of fitness, and does not have to go through a simaler process of re-vinning like a car with a lapsed rego?

It doesn't have to go through a compliance process like a car. You can re-register the caravan and take it for a WOF check.