WOF Hamilton
Keeping your Warrant of Fitness (WOF) up to date is not only a legal requirement, it’s also important for keeping your vehicle safe on the road.
But getting your WOF doesn’t have to be a chore. At Ultimate Automotive, we make getting your WOF Hamilton a breeze. Simply make a booking, bring in your car, and we’ll take it from there.
You can trust that our fully qualified MTA-trained & NZTA appointed WoF inspectors use the latest diagnostic equipment to check your vehicle thoroughly. If any repairs are needed, they’ll advise you before undertaking any repair work.
What is a WOF (Warrant of Fitness)?
A WOF (Warrant of Fitness) is a regular safety inspection for a vehicle in New Zealand to confirm it meets minimum road safety standards.
Ultimate Automotive's WOF Hamilton Prices
What Does a WOF Inspection Cover?
- Tyre condition (as well as Tread depth)
- Brake operation and condition
- Structural condition (Rust is not allowed in certain parts of the vehicle)
- Lights and other electrical systems
- Glazing (Making sure your windscreen is safe)
- Windscreen washers and wipers
- Doors (Making sure they open/close safely)
- Safety belts (These must not be damaged or overly faded, and buckles must work properly)
- Airbags (If fitted)
- Speedometer (This must be working)
- Suspension and Steering (These both 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 (making sure there aren’t any leaks).
What Happens On The Day Of Your WOF
1. Booking and Arrival
Book online or give us a call, then bring your vehicle to our Te Rapa workshop at your scheduled time. Please bring your vehicle keys and, if you have one, your wheel lock key. If the booking is for a company or fleet vehicle, let us know the fleet name and any purchase order details at check-in so we can keep everything tidy. We accept a range of payment options and can confirm what’s available when you arrive.
2. Inspection Process
One of our NZTA appointed inspectors will complete your WOF inspection using the latest diagnostic equipment and the required safety checklist. Most WoF inspections are straightforward and don’t take long. If we notice anything that needs a closer look, we’ll let you know and give you a realistic timeframe based on what’s required.
3. Results and Next Steps
Once the inspection is complete, we’ll talk you through the outcome. If your vehicle passes, you’re good to go. If something needs attention, we’ll contact you first, explain what’s been found, and provide an estimate before any work begins. No repairs are carried out without your approval, and we’ll keep you updated so you can make the call that suits your time and budget.
How Long Does A WOF Usually Take?
The inspection typically takes a few hours to complete and will likely require keeping your car for the day to complete the service.
How often is a WoF required?
Vehicles first registered anywhere in the world on or after 1 January 2000 require a WoF inspection every 12 months for the life of the vehicle.
For new vehicles, once the initial inspection is completed, the next WoF isn’t due until the third anniversary of the vehicle’s first registration.
WoF expiry periods are calculated from the vehicle’s first registration date, whether in New Zealand or overseas, and are outlined in the table below.
| Length of WOF for light motor vehicles | |
|---|---|
| When was the vehicle first registered anywhere in the world? | How long the WOF is issued for |
| New vehicle that’s never been registered | WOF is issued for three years |
| Less than two years ago | WOF is issued to the vehicles third ‘birthday’ (third anniversary of when it was first registered) |
| More than two years ago, but less than three years ago | WOF is issued for 12 months |
| On or after 1 January 2000 | WOF is issued for 12 months |
| Before 1 January 2000 | WOF is issued for 6 months |
How Often is a WOF required for vintage/veteran vehicles?
From 1 September 2025 the inspection frequency for light vintage and veteran vehicles over 40 years old moved from every 6 months to every 12 months.
What Happens if Your WOF Inspection Fails
If your WOF inspection fails, it means that your vehicle did not meet the required standards for roadworthiness and safety. This could be due to various reasons, such as faulty brakes, worn-out tires, or damaged lights.
We’ll let you know before we carry out any necessary repairs. We’ll give you an estimate of the cost of the WOF repairs, and we won’t carry out any work until you tell us to go ahead.
Our team of expert mechanics will carry out the necessary work to rectify the issues identified during the inspection, using high-quality parts and industry-standard practices to ensure that your vehicle meets the required standards for roadworthiness and safety.
Courtesy car
A WOF Hamilton inspection doesn’t take long, but if we need to hang on to your car for a little longer to complete repairs, courtesy cars are provided depending on availability.
What Causes Most WOF Failures?
- Tyres below tread depth, uneven wear
- Brake pad and rotor wear, brake imbalance
- Bulbs, indicators, foggy headlights
- Wiper smear, washer jets blocked
- Suspension bushes, ball joints, shocks leaking
- Windscreen chips in critical vision area
- Exhaust leaks, loud aftermarket systems
Experienced WOF Hamilton Inspectors
At Ultimate Automotive, you can trust our fully qualified MTA-trained and NZTA appointed Warrant inspectors, who use the latest diagnostic equipment. Our experienced inspectors have a deep understanding of New Zealand’s road safety regulations and guidelines, ensuring that your vehicle is assessed according to the necessary criteria.
With our experienced and skilled inspectors, you can have peace of mind knowing that your WOF inspection is being conducted by professionals who prioritise your safety. Our friendly team will ensure that your vehicle meets all the necessary standards for roadworthiness, enabling you to drive confidently and without any concerns about its condition.
Extra Services Available
Car Servicing
Keeping to your car’s servicing schedule is the best way to maintain and extend the life of its components.
Car Repairs
We provide top-quality auto repairs Hamilton for every brand and model with precision and expertise.
Oil Changes
Our oil change service helps keep your car’s engine running smoothly and efficiently.
Hybrid Servicing
& Repairs
We specialize in hybrid service to keep your vehicle running at its best.
Hybrid Battery
Replacement
Don’t let a weakened battery undermine the efficiency of your hybrid.
Shocks & Suspension Servicing
Cambelt Services
Trust Ultimate Automotive for your cambelt services — we keep your engine running at its best!
Air-Conditioning
A well-functioning car air con service helps maintain a comfortable temperature inside your vehicle, which can reduce driver fatigue and enhance focus on the road.
Make a Booking
About Ultimate Automotive
Ultimate Automotive is your one-stop shop for all your automotive repairs and vehicle servicing needs in Hamilton. We’re one of the city’s busiest workshops – with over 15 years in the business, our customers love our exceptional customer service and high-quality workmanship.
Our experienced mechanics are all fully qualified and include an A-Grade Automotive Engineer, brake specialists, steering and suspension specialists and an entire team ready to help you on your way. Darren and his team pride themselves on offering top quality, stress-free service. No job is too big or too small.
Warrant of Fitness
FAQs
We’ve put together a few FAQs to help make your WOF easier. If you’re still unsure about anything, feel free to give us a call.
A vehicle Warrant of Fitness (Warrant, or WoF) is an official NZ document that certifies and assures a light vehicle such as a car or truck (under 3500kg), motorcycle or trailer is roadworthy and safe.
Newly registered vehicles on their third birthday and built after January 1, 2000 require yearly Warrants. Older vehicles require Warrants every six months.
The inspection typically takes a few hours to complete and will likely require keeping your car for the day to complete the service!
Prices vary for WoFs, but beware of very cheap ones, due to unscrupulous companies luring the unwary in, to upsell what could be unnecessary repairs.
Our current prices are $75 for cars, utes and SUVs. Trailers are $48.
If your WOF has expired, you can only drive the vehicle if you’re taking it to get repaired or for a WOF inspection.
If your vehicle fails its WOF, you have 28 days to get the necessary repairs and get it re-tested.