Business continues for AA Auto Centre and AA Motoring sites, with all of our sites open and operating contactless at Alert Levels 2 and 3.
AA Centres (which provide driver licensing services etc.) remain closed and will only re-open when we move to Alert Level 2.
AA Auto Centre
Our AA Auto Centre staff are ready to help with your vehicle servicing, repairs and WoF needs, and our AA Inspection teams are ready to safely deliver a contactless, highly-valued service to our customers.
AA Pre Purchase Inspection
An AA Pre Purchase Inspection will provide you with non-biased information, which will help resolve any concerns you have so you can buy a car with confidence.
Bookings are available online and through our experienced call centre team, phone 0800 500 333 and select option 1.
The health and safety of our customers and staff is our highest priority, so while New Zealand is in Levels 2 and 3, our vehicle inspectors will:
- Maintain a 2m distance from customers at all times
- Use contactless key handovers with customers
- Wear PPE gear during the inspection
- For booking, customers will be required to 'scan in' on the Ministry of Health's NZ COVID Tracer app.
During rain, hail, or shine, our AA Mobile Inspection teams continue to ensure that they provide a safe, informed service with a smile.
Why you should book your car’s WoF in now
The AA is warning motorists that they could face significant delays if they wait until the Government’s November 30 deadline to renew their car’s Warrant of Fitness (WoF).
Waka Kotahi NZTA recently confirmed that temporary extensions are in place for WoFs/CoFs, vehicle licences and driver licences that expire during the period of 21 July 2021 to 30 November 2021.
You must have your WoF/CoF renewed by 11.59pm, 30 November 2021 to ensure your vehicle remains safe to be operated and to avoid potential fines.
Waka Kotahi NZTA data shows there are 1,795,061 WoF/CoF inspections that were due to expire between 21 July 2021 and 30 November 2021 and as of 13 September a total of 1,296,018 inspections remain, with 405,000 of them located in the Auckland region.
The impact of delayed inspections is not just adding congestion at inspection sites as the November cut-off date approaches but if you think ahead to 6 and 12 months down the line- these same inspections will all be up for renewal and potentially creating the same logjam all over again.
The AA encourages those who can, to book in and get their due inspections carried out, as human nature is such that we tend to leave things to the last minute.
AA Motoring Services General Manager Jonathan Sergel says, “All of our sites are open and operating contactless in locations at Alert Level 3.”
Jonathan says the AA is also concerned some motorists may currently be driving unsafe vehicles.
“We know there are motorists who have been diligently ensuring their cars are roadworthy, but we also know many motorists treat getting a WoF as their default safety check.
“If you fall into the second camp and your car’s WoF has already expired, you could potentially have been driving an unsafe vehicle for some time now - which is very concerning.”
The November 30 document extension also applies to Certificate of Fitness (CoFs), vehicle licensing, driver licences and some vehicle certifications. Since 18 August there are currently 154,854 expired vehicle licences (rego).
It’s important to know that currently you can renew your vehicle licence even if your vehicle inspection has expired, however after 30 November you will need to have a current WoF/CoF before you can renew your rego. The ability to renew your rego online remains available. More details are available below.
Getting a WoF at an AA Motoring site
Appointments are not required at our drive-through AA Vehicle Testing Stations and most of our AA Vehicle Inspection sites. You may need to book your WoF inspection in advance at most of our AA Auto Centre sites.
Drive-in AA Vehicle Testing Station locations:
Auckland: Glen Innes Vehicle Testing Station
Auckland: AA Auto Centre Mt Roskill – WoF drive-in vehicle testing
Mt Maunganui: AA Auto Centre Mt Maunganui – WoF drive-in vehicle testing
Rotorua: AA Auto Centre Rotorua – WoF drive-in vehicle testing
New Plymouth: Bell Block Vehicle Testing Station
New Plymouth: New Plymouth Vehicle Testing Station
Nelson: AA Auto Centre Nelson – WoF drive-in vehicle testing
Christchurch: Hornby Vehicle Testing Station
Christchurch: Christchurch Airport Auto Centre – WoF drive-in vehicle testing
What does a Warrant of Fitness (WoF) inspection cover?
The inspection is a general safety check. The aspects checked are set out in the NZTA vehicle inspection requirements manual (VIRM) and include:
- Tyre condition (including tread depth)
- Brake operation
- Structural condition (rust is not allowed in certain areas)
- Lights
- Glazing (is your windscreen safe?)
- Windscreen washers and wipers
- Doors (do they open and close safely?)
- Safety belts (must not be damaged or overly faded; buckles must work properly)
- Airbags (if fitted)
- Speedometer (must be working)
- Steering and suspension (must be safe and secure)
- Exhaust (there must be no leaks and the exhaust must not be smoky or louder than the original exhaust system)
- Fuel system (there must be no leaks)
- If you’ve modified your car, motorcycle, van or other light vehicle, you may need a low volume vehicle certificate (mod cert)
What a Warrant of Fitness doesn’t cover
A WoF doesn’t dig deep into a vehicle's condition. For example, it doesn't check items like engine, clutch, gearbox and differential condition, lubricant levels, brake pad thickness or life expectancy (unless they are visibly below safe limits), paintwork condition and rust in non-structural areas.
Book your WoF at an AA Motoring site today
Are you affected by the WoF extension? Avoid the queues by booking your car in for its annual WoF today. More information on our WoFs - including pricing - can be found here.
Either drive up to an AA Vehicle Testing Station, including AA Auto Centre Mt Roskill in Auckland, AA Auto Centre Mt Maunganui, AA Auto Centre Rotorua and AA Auto Centre Nelson.