These vehicles will continue to require an annual WoF until 1 November 2027, when they will move to a WoF every two years.
Warrant of Fitness (WoF) Inspections
We provide trusted WoF inspections at AA Motoring locations across New Zealand.
A WoF (Warrant of Fitness) is a regular inspection that checks whether your vehicle meets New Zealand's required safety standards at the time of inspection.
Book an appointment for a confirmed time or visit one of our convenient drive-in locations.
The WoF rules in New Zealand changed from 1 November 2026. Find out more about the new rules.
WoF inspection prices
The cost of a WoF is standard across most AA Auto Centres and AA Vehicle Testing/Inspection Stations unless otherwise stated.
| AA Member | Non-Member | |
|---|---|---|
| Light vehicles includes cars, station wagons, vans, 4WDs, SUVs and light trucks* | $81 | $91 |
| Light trailers | Prices vary by location. Please contact your local centre. | Prices vary by location. Please contact your local centre. |
| Motorcycles | $61 | $66 |
*An $8 premium applies at AA Auto Centre Wanaka Three Parks.
WoF inspections for motorcycles, trailers, larger campervans and some electric vehicles (EVs) are only available at selected AA Motoring locations. Please phone your preferred location to confirm availability before visiting.
AA Approved Repairers may also offer WoF inspections. Prices may vary to those listed above, and AA Member discounts may not apply.
Booking can be a good option if you:
- Want a confirmed time for your WoF
- Prefer to plan your visit around work, school or other commitments
- Want to drop your vehicle off and collect it later
- Would like to arrange a vehicle service and WoF together
Drive-in WoF testing can be a good option if you:
- Prefer the flexibility of visiting without booking
- Need a WoF at short notice
- Don't want to commit to a specific appointment time
- Want to wait while your WoF inspection is completed
Simply drive up when it suits you and vehicles will be inspected on a first come, first served basis.
Please note: Queues may close early to allow time for all waiting vehicles to be inspected, so we recommend arriving early.
About Warrant of Fitness (WoF) inspections
A Warrant of Fitness, commonly called a WoF, is a regular vehicle safety inspection.
It's compulsory for most light vehicles, including cars, station wagons, vans, 4WDs, SUVs and light trucks, as well as motorcycles and trailers.
A WoF confirms that your vehicle meets the required safety standards on the day it is inspected.
It's important to remember that a WoF isn't a vehicle service and doesn't guarantee that your vehicle will remain safe until its next WoF. You're responsible for keeping your vehicle safe and roadworthy between inspections.
What a WoF inspection covers
As a WoF inspecting organisation, AA follows the Vehicle Inspection Requirements Manual (VIRM), with inspection requirements defined and monitored by NZTA.
A WoF inspection includes checks of:
- Tyres and wheels
- Brake operation
- Steering and suspension
- Structural condition
- Lights and indicators
- Doors and windows
- Windscreen, washers and wipers
- Safety belts and airbags
- Speedometer
- Exhaust and fuel system
- Horn
View the full WoF inspection requirements on the NZTA website.
Drive-in WoF inspection locations
Locations where you can book a WoF
- AA Auto Centre Hobson Street
- AA Auto Centre Kingsland
- AA Auto Centre Mt Wellington (Lunn Ave)
- AA Auto Centre Newmarket
- AA Auto Centre St Lukes
- AA Auto Centre East Tamaki
- AA Auto Centre Panmure
- AA Auto Centre Glenfield (Wairau Park)
- AA Auto Centre Manukau
- AA Auto Centre Pukekohe
- AA Auto Centre Henderson
- AA Auto Centre New Lynn
- AA Auto Centre Silverdale
- AA Auto Centre Takanini
Frequently asked questions
A WoF inspection generally takes around 30–45 minutes.
Depending on the location, you may be able to wait while your vehicle is inspected or drop your vehicle off and collect it afterwards.
If your vehicle fails its WoF inspection, the inspector will identify the items that require attention.
AA Auto Centres can carry out vehicle repairs and maintenance if required.
Your vehicle can be reinspected by the same WoF inspecting organisation within 28 days of the initial inspection at no extra charge.
If more than 28 days have passed, you'll need to have a new WoF inspection and pay the inspection fee again.
Most privately operated cars, SUVs, vans, motorcycles and light trailers require a Warrant of Fitness (WoF).
Some vehicles used for passenger, rental or other commercial transport services require a Certificate of Fitness (CoF) instead.
AA provides Certificate of Fitness inspections at selected locations.
Find out more about Certificate of Fitness (CoF) inspections.
From 1 November 2026, the Government changed how often some light vehicles under 3,500kg need a Warrant of Fitness.
The changes depend on the age of the vehicle and when it was first registered.
New light vehicles
For new vehicles, the second Warrant of Fitness (WoF) will be due four years after the vehicle was first registered in New Zealand, rather than three years. The WoF issued when a new vehicle is first registered counts as its first WoF.
Vehicles aged 4–14 years registered on or after 1 November 2019
These vehicles moved from an annual WoF to a WoF every two years from 1 November 2026.
Vehicles aged 4–14 years registered between 1 November 2013 and 31 October 2019
Vehicles aged 14–26 years
These vehicles will continue to require an annual WoF.
Vehicles aged 26 years or older and registered before 1 January 2000
These vehicles moved from a six-monthly WoF to an annual WoF from 1 November 2026.
The date your vehicle was first registered helps determine when the new WoF frequency applies.
For example, a car first registered on 1 January 2020 will be eligible for a two-year WoF if it is inspected on or after 1 November 2026. If it is inspected before this date, the current annual WoF requirements apply.
A car first registered on 15 September 2016 will become eligible for a two-year WoF if it is inspected on or after 1 November 2027. Until then, it will continue to require an annual WoF.
Yes. From 1 November 2026, motorcycles registered before 1 January 2000 moved from a six-monthly WoF to an annual WoF.
Motorcycles registered on or after 1 January 2000 will continue to require an annual WoF, so there is no change for these motorcycles.
Motorcycle WoF inspections are only available at selected AA Motoring locations. Please phone your preferred location to confirm the service is available before visiting.
The changes don't extend your current WoF. If your WoF expired before 1 November 2026, you'll need to renew it by its expiry date to continue driving your vehicle legally on the road.
Yes. A current WoF doesn't guarantee your vehicle will remain safe until it expires.
Drivers are responsible for ensuring their vehicle is safe and roadworthy whenever it is driven.
The Government says modern vehicles are generally more reliable and have improved safety technology, so lower-risk vehicles don't need to be inspected as often.
However, vehicle owners are still responsible for keeping their vehicle safe and roadworthy every day — not just when it's due for a WoF.
Yes, slightly.
From 1 November 2026, where fitted, inspectors will also check that there are no warning lights or malfunction indicators showing for:
- Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Lane Keep Assist
These systems don't need to be tested as part of the WoF inspection; they simply must not be displaying a fault.
No. A WoF and a vehicle service do two different jobs.
A WoF checks whether your vehicle meets the required safety standards on the day it is inspected.
A vehicle service helps keep your vehicle reliable by replacing engine oil, filters and fluids where required, checking wear and tear, identifying problems early and following the vehicle manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule.
Most manufacturers recommend servicing based on time and kilometres travelled, not your WoF expiry date.
Even if your vehicle has a two-year WoF, regular servicing remains important.
Yes. Your vehicle can become unsafe at any time between WoF inspections.
Tyres wear, brakes wear, lights fail, batteries weaken and suspension components deteriorate regardless of when your next WoF is due.
We recommend having your vehicle checked if you notice:
Dashboard warning lights staying on
Unusual noises
Vibrations
Changes in braking or steering
Fluid leaks
Worn or damaged tyres
Faulty lights
Poor visibility caused by worn wipers or windscreen damage
Don't wait until your next WoF if something doesn't seem right.
The rules for buying and selling a vehicle aren't changing.
When a light vehicle is sold, it must have a WoF that is less than one month old, unless the buyer and seller agree otherwise. NZTA recommends that any alternative agreement is recorded in writing.
A WoF is not a Pre Purchase Inspection and doesn't assess the overall mechanical condition of a vehicle.
A WoF checks whether a vehicle meets the required safety standards at the time of inspection. It doesn't assess the overall mechanical condition of components such as the engine, clutch or gearbox.
An AA Pre Purchase Inspection provides a more comprehensive assessment of a vehicle's condition and covers areas that aren't part of a standard WoF inspection.
If you're considering buying a used vehicle, a current WoF shouldn't be used as a substitute for an independent Pre Purchase Inspection.
Get your WoF at an AA Motoring location
Whether you need a WoF for your car, trailer or small van, AA provides trusted vehicle inspections at AA Motoring locations across New Zealand.
Choose the option that works for you — book an appointment for a confirmed time or visit one of our convenient drive-in WoF locations without a booking.