West Auckland
WOFs
Book a Service
Book a WOF
Please allow a minimum of 2 business days. If you require a service sooner, please call us at 0800 522 734.
Warrant of Fitness Checks
A warrant of fitness at KAAR is $75 for light vehicles — cars, vans and utes — at both our Henderson and Avondale workshops. Large high-roof vans and small trucks are $85. If it fits on our hoist, it’s $85. Trailers and caravans are $50. Motorhomes are $120, though if we’re servicing it, we will discount to $85.00
KAARCheck safety check: $49 incl GST, free with any Full Service.
All of our senior technicians are qualified, accredited WOF inspectors, and we’ve been inspecting West Auckland vehicles since 1994.
WoF Changes from 1 November 2026
The rules on how often light vehicles need a Warrant of Fitness are changing. Here is what changes, when, and what it means for your vehicle.
How often your vehicle needs a WoF
| Your vehicle | How often | From |
|---|---|---|
| New vehicle | First WoF at registration, next when it is 4 years old (was 3) | 1 November 2026 |
| 4 to 14 years old, first registered on or after 1 November 2019 | Every 2 years | 1 November 2026 |
| 4 to 14 years old, first registered 1 November 2013 to 31 October 2019 | Every year until 31 October 2027, then every 2 years | 1 November 2027 |
| 14 to 26 years old | Every year | No change |
| First registered before 1 January 2000 | Every year (was every 6 months) | 1 November 2026 |
What happens to the WoF you have now
Your current WoF stays valid until its expiry date. The new timing starts from your first WoF inspection after the change applies to your vehicle. Not sure which group you fall into? Call us on 0800 522 734 with your registration and we will check it for you.
A new item on the inspection
From 1 November, the WoF inspection also checks that no warning lights are showing for Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) or Lane Keep Assist, on vehicles fitted with these systems. If one of these lights is on, the vehicle will not pass until the fault is fixed. We can scan and diagnose these warning lights and advise on the repair.
Higher fines
The infringement fee for driving with a WoF that expired more than two months ago rises from $200 to $350. Fines for unsafe tyres and wheels rise to $350, and up to $1,000 if it goes to court. More detail is on the NZTA website.
KAARCheck: Your Safety Check in the Off Year
Brakes and tyres do not wear any slower because the law has changed. A lot can happen in two years of driving, so we recommend a safety check every year, even when your WoF is not due.
KAARCheck is a yearly safety inspection for the years your vehicle does not need a WoF, or when a service is not due yet. It covers the safety items, measured and recorded:
- Tyre tread depth and pressures on every wheel, including the spare
- Brake pad and shoe wear, rotors, drums, hoses and fluid
- Battery voltage and load test
- Lights and dashboard warning lights
- Steering, suspension, CV boots and driveshafts
- Seatbelts, wipers, washers and windscreen
- Oil and coolant levels, leaks and exhaust
You get a written report with the measurements, plus photos of anything that needs attention, so you can plan repairs before they become urgent.
KAARCheck is $49 incl GST, and free with any Full Service. When your WoF is issued on the two-year cycle, we set a reminder and send you a text when your KAARCheck is due. KAARCheck is a safety check for peace of mind. It is not a Warrant of Fitness and no certificate is issued.
Book a KAARCheck using the form at the top of this page, or call 0800 522 734.
What Gets Checked
A WoF is a safety inspection of brakes, tyres, lights, steering, suspension, seatbelts, glazing, wipers, structure and exhaust emissions. It is not a check of whether your vehicle is reliable: a car can pass a WOF and still be due a service or nursing a fault. If you want to know what an inspector actually looks at, we’ve written a full WOF checklist.
The full legal requirements are set by NZTA, including how often your vehicle needs inspecting and what happens if it fails.
One thing many people don’t know: if you renew within 14 days of your current WOF expiring, the new one runs from the old expiry date, so you don’t lose any days. Leave it longer and you start the clock again.
For a small additional fee we’ll also check your fluid levels and tyre pressures while the vehicle is with us, just ask when you book.
WOF in Henderson
5 Waipareira Avenue, Henderson. Handy for Te Atatū South, Sunnyvale, Glendene, Lincoln, Ranui, Massey and Western Heights.
KAAR Henderson is open Monday to Thursday, 7:30am to 5:00pm. Closing at 4:30pm on Fridays.
WOF in Avondale
357 Rosebank Road, Avondale, on the corner of Copsey Place. Handy for Waterview, New Windsor, Blockhouse Bay, Rosebank, Mount Albert, New Lynn and Kelston.
KAAR Avondale is open Monday to Thursday, 7:00am to 5:00pm. Closing at 4:30pm on Fridays.
Motorhomes and campervans
Motorhome warrants are carried out at Henderson only, and they take considerably longer than a car. Size means the inspection is done on jacks and axle stands rather than a roller brake machine, and the check can take up to an hour and a quarter.
Booked alongside a service it becomes more economical. The vehicle is already on stands with all four wheels off, so a full brake inspection happens as part of the job rather than as separate work. More on motorhome and campervan servicing.
Going the extra mile
We’ll Check More Than Your
Standard WoF Inspection:
- Service Due date/km’s
- Oil/fluid Leaks
- Brake pads
- And if you ask, tyre pressures and oil levels – for a small fee.
Contact KAAR, to book your next WoF.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do I need a WoF?
Most vehicles aged 4 to 14 are moving to a WoF every 2 years. New vehicles get their second WoF at 4 years old, and vehicles over 14 stay annual. The table above shows exactly when the change applies to your vehicle.
Does my current WoF get extended?
No. It stays valid until it expires. The new timing starts from your next inspection after the change applies to your vehicle.
What is the new AEB and lane keep check?
From 1 November 2026, the WoF checks that no warning lights are showing for Automatic Emergency Braking or Lane Keep Assist on vehicles fitted with them. If a light is on, the vehicle won’t pass until it’s fixed. We can scan and diagnose the fault.
Should I still get my vehicle checked every year?
We recommend it. A KAARCheck covers the safety items in the year your WoF isn’t due, for $49 incl GST or free with a Full Service.
How much is a WoF?
$75 for cars, vans, utes, $85 large high-roof vans and small trucks. Trailers and caravans are $50. Motorhomes are $120, or $85 when done with a service. Prices are correct as at October 2026.
Do I need to book?
Yes, at both Henderson and Avondale. If you’d like to wait, the times are 8:00am, 10:15am, 12:30pm and 3:15pm. Dropping your vehicle off is better if you can: it gives us time to price any repairs, call you, and often fix them the same day.
How long does a WoF take?
About an hour. Motorhomes take up to an hour and a quarter. Any repairs are quoted before we do the work.
What happens if my vehicle fails?
You get a report showing what needs fixing. You then have 28 days to have the repairs done and return to the same site for a free recheck. We can do the repairs, or you can take the vehicle elsewhere.
What vehicles do you WoF?
Cars, vans, utes, light trucks, trailers and caravans at both sites, and motorhomes up to 8.5 metres at Henderson only. We don’t do motorcycle WoFs.
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Committed To Quality
“With two convenient West Auckland locations, Henderson and Avondale, KAAR is the place to go for Auckland vehicle repairs. Our fully equipped vehicle workshops and professional team of service technicians.”
Kelvin Armstrong
