Imported cars to start moving
Dealers are set to start getting thousands of Japanese imports out of storage and into their yards as registration and inspection services reopen at Covid-19 alert level three.
AA Motoring Services, Vehicle Inspection New Zealand (VINZ) and VTNZ can offer more services now the lockdown period is over, providing they can meet strict health and safety rules.
A backlog of imported vehicles has built up at storage facilities around the country as the cars were unable to be registered or certified after arriving at ports because of restrictions to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus.
With those regulations easing as of 11.59pm on April 27, the three companies have outlined what they will be offering at the lower alert level.
AA Motoring Services is available to third-party entry certification partners to start working through the backlog of imports.
It is also available to dealers in Auckland, New Plymouth, Napier and Christchurch for contactless motor vehicle registration and supply of number plates for new vehicles. This service is for trade customers on account basis and new vehicles requiring first registration only and comes after automotive organisations urged the NZTA to allow this activity to take place.
The issuing of registration plates was not initially going to be allowed at level three but was given the go ahead late on April 23 providing the transactions are contactless.
AA Auto Centres are open to the public under level three for appointments for vehicle servicing, mechanical repairs, warrant of fitness (WoF) inspections, WoF repairs, batteries and vehicle inspections. Reception areas at these sites are only open for contactless drop off and pick up. AA Mobile Vehicle Inspections and AA Vehicle Appraisals will also be operating contactless and by appointment only.
VINZ is opening all its testing stations to retail and trade customers at alert level three.
“The safety and wellbeing of our customers, staff, and community remains our highest priority,” chief executive Sean Stevens says. “We are following the Ministry of Health’s guidelines and have implemented stringent measures to ensure everyone stays safe.”.
These measures include digitally collecting contact details from all visitors to comply with contact tracing guidelines, stricter cleaning and sanitation of testing stations and vehicle touchpoints, the use of approved personal protective equipment and staff maintaining social distancing.
VTNZ is opening 57 of its 80 branches during alert level three but adds that it will not open until noon on April 28 to make sure premises “have been deep cleaned, all health and safety equipment has been properly installed and all staff are familiar with health and safety procedures”.
Its website says WoF, certificate of fitness (CoF) and heavy certification inspections and vehicle conditions assessment (VCA) inspections will be performed.
However, VTNZ is not offering basic service, pre-purchase inspections, road user charges, vehicle registration, driver licensing, driver testing and other NZTA products or services at this stage.
The company says it has made operational changes at its branches to ensure the safety and wellbeing of employees and customers. Staff will be observing social distancing practices, wearing gloves and masks where appropriate and washing their hands between each inspection. The customer service team will also be seated behind Perspex hygiene screens as added protection for them and customers.
