Call for maintenance education

The Motor Industry Association (MIA) is urging officials considering higher penalties for people operating vehicles with worn or failed safety-critical items to ensure such measures are accompanied by a comprehensive public education campaign.

Its call comes as the government is looking at changing the frequency of warrant of fitness (WOF) and certificate of fitness (COF) inspections for light vehicles.

The MIA has made a submission largely supporting the proposals but it also recommends a campaign be introduced to highlight to motorists the importance of regular vehicle maintenance beyond simply “passing a WOF”.

This should encourage routine self-inspection of tyres, lights and other visible safety items by drivers and riders, and provide clear, practical guidance on how and how often to check key safety components. 

Aime Wiley, chief executive officer, says: “Such an approach would help embed a culture of proactive maintenance and support better compliance outcomes, rather than relying solely on deterrence through higher penalties.”

She notes MIA members have a strong interest in ensuring any changes to in-service inspection regimes maintain or improve road safety outcomes, while also being practical and equitable for vehicle owners and operators.

“In general, members support the proposed changes as they apply to light passenger and light commercial vehicles but have significant reservations about applying the same approach to motorcycles and mopeds,” adds Wiley, pictured. 

“We also support the proposed changes to COF A for rental vehicles, with a recommendation that this be applied consistently across comparable light passenger service vehicles… including school bus providers, to avoid distorting competition.” 

Under the coalition’s proposals, which were released in October, a new vehicle’s first WOF will be issued for four years instead of three. 

Such models will then move to two-yearly inspections between four and 10 years old. Light vehicles over 10 years of age will need annual inspections.

As for light rentals less than five years old, they will have to complete a COF A once a year if the government’s initial plans go ahead.

There is also the possibility of higher fines or demerit points for not having a valid WOF or COF A and other offences, such as driving with bald or damaged tyres.

“MIA supports increased penalties for operating vehicles with safety-critical defects beyond WOF limits, provided this is implemented alongside a public education campaign on maintenance and self-inspection,” notes Wiley. 

She continues that the MIA backs extending the period of a first WOF for most light vehicles, but it does not support such a move or reducing the inspection frequency for motorcycles and mopeds. 

Instead, it suggests a regime of a first WOF lasting three years, followed by 12-monthly inspections for motorcycles and mopeds. 

Safety performance

Wiley explains in the submission why the MIA supports updating the inspection regime for new vehicles.

“Modern light vehicles benefit from improved design, safety systems and build quality, and our members consider that an extension of the initial WOF period to four years is reasonable and consistent with contemporary reliability and safety performance,” she says. 

“The move to two-yearly inspections for vehicles between four and 10 years of age strikes an acceptable balance between safety assurance and compliance cost for owners. 

“With appropriate enforcement and continued education on vehicle maintenance, we do not expect this change to materially degrade the safety of the fleet in these age bands.”

The MIA is also backing annual WOF inspections for vehicles over 10 years old. 

“As vehicles age, the likelihood of wear-related faults and degradation of safety-critical components increases. Annual inspections provide an appropriate safety net at this stage of the vehicle life cycle,” explains Wiley. 

“We also note that even with annual inspections beyond 10 years, New Zealand’s in-service inspection regime remains comparatively robust by international standards, particularly when compared with several OECD jurisdictions that have limited or no regular in-service inspection requirements.”

However, MIA’s motorcycle members have reservations about extending inspection intervals for motorcycles and mopeds. 

In their view, the current inspection periods already push the limits of acceptable safety margins for this category.

Maintenance behaviour is among the key concerns because “motorcycle owners often carry out their own maintenance and use franchise dealers or service providers less frequently than light vehicle owners”. 

“While many riders are highly engaged, in practice this means a significant number of bikes do not receive regular professional inspection of critical safety items such as tyres and brakes,” says Wiley. 

“Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable road users. While many riders understand the inherent risks of motorcycling, safety-critical maintenance is sometimes viewed as a discretionary or costly expense that can be deferred. 

“Inadequate or infrequent inspection can therefore have disproportionately severe consequences for this group.” 

MIA’s preferred position is the first WOF for motorcycles and mopeds to remain at three years and for 12-monthly inspections thereafter.