WOF garages

whynot47, Sep 27, 6:20am
do you know wof garages that find stuff that doesnt need to be fixed for a wof, and then use that to try and persuade the owner to fix it, even when its not required? I wont ever go back to that garage.
intrade, Sep 27, 6:55am
vtnz usually are like that from what i seen in the last 25 years
franc123, Sep 27, 6:59am
Yep sure do, it's on the increase if anything. Just one example I had a surprise visit from my old workmate a few weeks ago in his ute towing a trailer with his student daughters car on it, daughter had taken it for a WoF and it had failed on several things, and got a questionably high estimate for sorting ot all. He took another vehicle to her and picked hers up to take home to fix (he lives 360km away and would have just dealt with it if he lived closer ). Both him and I are qualified mechs and WoF inspectors, he showed me the fail sheet and invited me to check the fail items on the car. half of them were not legit and it was all minor stuff that hardly constituted an actual safety hazard. He has since fixed the stuff that actually needed to be and has updated the WoF and sold the car on, and is in the process of submitting evidence to NZTA about this place and their conduct. Its wasting people's time and money this rubbish, the car was a 24yo Jap hatchback with only moderate kms on it that in my brief inspection of it, was obviously a sound wee car for someone
whynot47, Sep 27, 7:08am
hi franc. mine pales into insignificance compared to your story
franc123, Sep 27, 7:11am
Never mind, let's hear the story anyway.
lyrad, Sep 27, 7:26am
What's the garage out of interest? There's one down the road from me here in Glen Eden. Their reviews on facebook mention this happening quite alot as well. There are also some glowingly positive reviews, which looking at the profiles of the people that wrote the positive reviews I suddenly recognised the person who had greeted me at the reception desk.
lyrad, Sep 27, 7:28am
vtnz don't do repairs though so not likely to have an ulterior motive/conflict of interest. They do seem to pride themselves on being strict though, hence the words "fresh VTNZ wof" in car ads being seen as a good selling point.
rctr, Sep 27, 7:49am
Common VTNZ failure at the moment. Play in steering or play in front/rear suspension, when challenged on what component failed the response is that's not our job to ascertain that.
franc123, Sep 27, 8:50am
Yes it is, they need to be identifying the component concerned, it's far too non specific otherwise. Obviously if there is movement there shouldnt be in say a steering column and it's difficult to determine without removing parts where the fault actually is, it's still not satisfactory to just say "rectify excess play in steering". At least the area of concern needs to be identified.
wind.turbine, Sep 27, 7:48pm
triton failed on loose front wheel bearing, apon going to tweaking it up it did not need it and fine.
Put the wheel back and and gave it a shake, turns out it was in the ball joint!

Made the comment to the guy and was told it must have be that time of the day!
And these guys do safety inspections?
franc123, Sep 27, 9:11pm
Not the first time that's happened sadly. The very first thing I do in that situation is get someone else to rock the wheel by gripping it at the 6 o'clock position whilst looking at the hub and balljoint movement from underneath The other way to do it is to get someone to apply the service brake or put a depressor stick on the pedal to see if the movement disappears when the rotor is being gripped by the pads. Any properly trained mechanic knows this.
jaydeess, Sep 27, 10:14pm
I avoid VTNZ for warrants. The local garages must love VTNZ for getting ball joint and bushing and brake repair jobs that dont need doing.
gph1961, Sep 27, 10:21pm
did a front w/bearing reject,yup it was knackered.Took it back for recheck,yup all good ,got WOF.Trouble was he rechecked the wrong side.I couldnt be bothered to say.
lythande1, Sep 27, 10:33pm
+1
Many do it.
rpvr, Sep 27, 11:07pm
My partner took her Toyota Vitz in for a WOF a year ago, passed but she was told the front brake pads were low and needed replacing soon. I believed them and bought a new set of pads before looking at the old ones. When I got the wheels off, it was obvious the pads were less than a quarter worn. A year on, the car has just got another WOF with the original pads, without comment. I did check them beforehand this time, still only about half worn. Another year and I might need that new set still sitting on the shelf!
jaydeess, Sep 27, 11:41pm
same here, except i did it twice. I just changed them out anyway
kazbanz, Sep 28, 12:59am
I think I'm reading your post somewhat different from the other guys.
How I'M reading your post is that during the WOF inspection the inspector notes that (for example) Your car is overdue for an oil change or there's a leak from one of your radiator hoses or something else not directly related to the actual WOF inspection.
If that is the case then I say "good on them" because they are looking out for their customer. If I AM reading it right then that is a mechanic to be praised and retained.
stornello, Sep 28, 4:22am
Usually put in the comments section and the customer told. and some customers come in for WoF repairs for items in the comments section. You can't help some people. My daughter once took her car in for a WoF, they were very concerned about the front pads, very close they said. She said she would get her father to replace then and got the WoF. I went to put new pads in and they were only half worn. I did the next WoF, and the front pads needed replacing this time. went to do them and they were only half worn. You just can't tell peering though wheel holes and from the inside.
tgray, Nov 14, 8:13am
If you go to a WOF place that sells tyres, you will fail on at least one. Guaranteed.