Feature article
What you need to know about the changes to WoF and CoF
WoF and CoF changes for vintage vehicles and motorhomes: Annual inspections begin September 1, 2025.
Changes have been made to the WoF and CoF system affecting vintage vehicles and privately-owned heavy motorhome vehicles.
Summary of the changes
Warrant of Fitness (WoF) checks for light vehicles over 40 years old will change from every six months to every year
Certificate of Fitness (CoF) checks for privately-owned heavy motorhome vehicles will change from every six months to every year
What does this mean for vehicle owners?
Changes to the law will mean that owners of vintage light vehicles and private heavy motorhomes will only have to have their machines inspected for a Warrant of Fitness (or Certificate of Fitness for motorhomes) once a year instead of every six months, as was previously the case.
What vehicles does this change impact?
Vintage light vehicles and private heavy motorhomes. Vintage light vehicles refer to cars and motorcycles that are over 40 years old.
When will this happen?
The changes will happen September 1 2025
Facts and figures:
- In total, there are around 4.4 million light vehicles in New Zealand.
To make a Rule change, the Minister of Transport is required to consult with the public.
A total of 13,242 submissions were received via survey and email.
89 per cent supported changing private heavy motorhome inspections from six-monthly to annual.
98 per cent supported changing vintage light vehicle inspections from six-monthly to annual.
What the Minister said
Transport Minister Chris Bishop says; “Everyone loves spotting a beautifully kept vintage car out for a Sunday drive, and cruising around our beautiful country in a motorhome is a classic Kiwi dream,” Mr Bishop says.
“There are about 128,000 vintage vehicles and 39,000 private motorhomes registered in New Zealand. Until now, their owners have had to front up for a Warrant or Certificate of Fitness inspection every six months, even though these vehicles are driven far less than your average modern car.
“Evidence shows that vintage vehicles and motorhomes are half as likely to have a contributing fault in a serious crash, even after adjusting for how many of them are on the road. And when it comes to passing a WoF inspection, vintage vehicles actually perform better than vehicles under 40 years old.
“In fact, once a vehicle hits 40, its pass rates go up, proof that hitting middle age isn’t all bad news.
“Earlier this year, the Government consulted on reducing the frequency of those inspections to six-monthly. Public support was overwhelmingly in favour of making this change.
“I’m pleased to confirm that from 1 September, vintage light vehicles and private heavy motorhomes will only require annual inspections instead of six-monthly.
“Owners of these vehicles can now spend less time on bureaucracy and queueing for a vehicle inspection, and more time where they’d rather be – under the bonnet or out on the road.
“For drivers of modern cars, don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten about you. The Government will also be reviewing WOF/COF frequency and inspection requirements for other light vehicles as part of the Land Transport Rules Reform Programme. We’ll have more to say on this soon.”
Author
Kyle has been reviewing cars since starting at NZ Autocar magazine in 2003 and has been editor since 2009. In that time he’s become an expert on what makes for a good vehicle while also gaining insights into the local automotive industry.
Other articles you might like
