KAARCheck
Safety Check Between WoFs
Book a Service
Book a KAARCheck Safety Check
Please allow a minimum of 2 business days. If you require a service sooner, please call us at 0800 522 734.
KAARCheck is our car safety check for the year your car doesn’t need a WoF. The WoF rules changed on 1 November 2026, and many cars now need a WoF only every two years. Brakes, tyres and batteries still wear out every year, whatever the law says, so a KAARCheck makes sure nothing catches you out at your next WoF.
Not sure which rule applies to your car? Give us your registration and we’ll tell you when your next WoF is due.
The New WoF Rules in Plain English
The change is coming in two stages, so the rule for your car depends on its age and when it was first registered.
WoF inspections now also check certain driver assistance features, where your car has them. The fee for driving with a WoF that expired more than two months ago has gone up from $200 to $350. The full details are on the NZ Transport Agency website.
Why Check Your Car in the Off Year?
Two years is a long time between checks. Tyres and brake pads can wear a long way in that time, and a battery can go from fine to flat with little warning.
A KAARCheck finds these things while they’re still cheap to fix, and gives you time to plan for anything that’s coming up. It also means there are fewer surprises when your car goes in for its next WoF.
What a KAARCheck Covers
Our car safety check covers the same key safety items a WoF inspector looks at, plus the battery and fluids.
- 01TyresTread depth measured on every tyre including the spare, pressures set, and checks for cuts, bulges and uneven wear
- 02BrakesPads and shoes measured, discs and drums, hoses and lines, brake fluid level and moisture, park brake
- 03BatteryVoltage and load test, so you know if it’s weak before it leaves you stranded
- 04LightsHeadlights, high beam and aim, brake lights, indicators, hazards, tail, reverse and number plate lights
- 05Dashboard warning lightsIncluding ABS, airbag, automatic emergency braking and lane keep assist where fitted
- 06SteeringSteering play, rack and tie rod ends
- 07SuspensionBall joints, bushes, shock absorbers and springs
- 08CV boots and driveshaftsSplit boots are a common WoF failure
- 09Wipers, washers and windscreenWiper blades, washer spray, and chips or cracks in the driver’s view
- 10Seatbelts and hornWebbing, buckles and retraction on every seatbelt
- 11Fluids and leaksOil and coolant levels, and leaks from the engine, gearbox, cooling and fuel systems
- 12Exhaust, belts and hosesExhaust leaks and mounts, drive belts and coolant hoses
- 13Road testBrake pedal feel and how the car drives
What You Get
KAARCheck Is Not a WoF
How KAARCheck Fits Around Your WoF
If your car is on a two-yearly WoF, the cycle is simple:
Due for a service in the off year? Book a Full Service and your KAARCheck is included free.
Book Your KAARCheck
Book your car safety check online, or call us and tell us your registration. Choose whichever workshop suits you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a KAARCheck cost?
$49 incl GST, at either workshop. It’s free when you book it with any Full Service.
Do I still need a WoF?
Yes. A KAARCheck doesn’t replace your WoF and no certificate is issued. It’s a car safety check for the years your WoF isn’t due.
How do I know if my car is on a two-yearly WoF?
Check the date on your WoF label, or call us with your registration and we’ll tell you when your next WoF is due.
Can I get a KAARCheck if my car still has an annual WoF?
Yes. A car safety check is handy before a long trip, before winter, or if something doesn’t feel right and your WoF isn’t due yet.
Will you fix anything you find?
Only if you want us to. We’ll show you what we found, give you an estimate, and wait for your go-ahead.
How long does it take?
We’ll give you a time when you book. If you book it with a service, it’s done in the same visit.
Our business is caring
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
