Get a warrant of fitness or certificate of fitness
Learn how to renew your warrant of fitness (WoF) and what to do if you fail. See how often you need a WoF and if you need a certificate of fitness (CoF) instead.
Warrant of fitness (WoF)
It’s illegal to drive a car with no current WoF label or after failing a WoF.
What a WoF is
A warrant of fitness (WoF) or certificate of fitness (CoF) inspection is a regular check to make sure your vehicle is safe.
Renew a WoF
To renew your WoF, make an appointment with your local inspecting organisation or garage.
If you renew your WoF within 14 days of expiry, your new WoF will start from the old expiry date — you will not lose any days.
Cost of a WoF
There’s no set price for a WoF. Inspection fees are set by the provider. A basic WoF for a light vehicle is usually between $50 and $90.
If your vehicle fails its WoF, the repairs needed for it to pass are not included in this payment.
Check sheet requirements
After your WoF, the inspector must show you a list of each item checked and whether it passed or failed.
For a full list of requirements for WoF and CoF, see Check sheets — NZTA.
Failing a WoF
If your vehicle fails a WoF, a retest is free if you do it:
- within 28 days of the first inspection where the vehicle failed
- at the same inspection organisation (can be a different site if the business is a chain).
You may only drive a car after failing a WoF for the purpose of a repair or WoF retest — and only if it’s safe to do so.
How often your vehicle needs a WoF
The frequency your vehicle needs a WoF depends on the:
- how long its been since it was first registered (in NZ or overseas)
- weight and class of your vehicle.
Light vehicles
| First registration of vehicle | Length of WoF |
|---|---|
| Never been registered — new vehicle | 3 years |
| Less than 2 years ago | Until 3 years after first registration |
| More than 2 years ago, but less than 3 years ago | 12 months |
| More than 3 years ago, on or after 1 January 2000 | 12 months |
| More than 3 years ago, before 1 January 2000 | 6 months |
Heavy and other vehicle classes
Instead of a WoF, some vehicle classes require a Certificate of fitness (CoF).
Identifying the vehicle class — NZTA
NZTA lists the WoF frequency for special vehicles including vintage, veteran and agricultural vehicles on its website.
If you’re unsure when your vehicle was first registered
- Check the details on a free vehicle report website (for example, CARJAM), or
- Request your motor vehicle details on the NZTA website.
Certificate of fitness (CoF)
You need to get a certificate of fitness instead of a warrant of fitness if you own:
- a heavy vehicle — like a truck, large trailer or a motor home
- a passenger service vehicle — like a taxi, shuttle or bus
- a rental vehicle.
Most heavy vehicles require a CoF every 6 months. Private heavy motor homes require a CoF every 12 months.
WoFs for trailers
Light trailers (less than or equal to 3,500kg loaded) follow the exact same WoF inspection frequency as light vehicles.
Table 1: Length of WoF for light vehicles
For trailers over 3,500kg you’ll need to get a Certificate of fitness (CoF).
More information about what’s checked during trailer inspections is available on the website: