MTA says WoF changes don’t stack up

The Motor Trade Association (MTA) is asking Kiwis to consider the true cost of changing the Warrant of Fitness — which might be much  higher than they think.

MTA has published a full-page letter in newspapers around the country in December asking vehicle owners to consider the financial impact  and encouraging them to make a submission on the Government’s proposal.

MTA Chief Executive Lee Marshall says Government calculations overlook some key factors. “These changes are presented as a cost of  living saving for Kiwis,” Mr Marshall says.

“And yes, under the proposed changes, around twenty percent of vehicle owners might save around $70 for one less warrant a year. But you’ll likely end up paying far more in other costs — larger maintenance and repair bills, insurance, ACC levies and the cost to the  taxpayer of increased enforcement and education.

“There’s potentially a human cost too, with the possibility of more harm caused on the roads.” MTA’s call, first and foremost, is to slow  down the process and involve the organisations and businesses that are involved in this key area every day. “The time given to consult is  unreasonably short,” Mr Marshall says. “Road safety matters. The country’s road toll is very poor by developed nation standards, and our  fleet is the second-oldest in the OECD.”

The failure rate for WoF is currently 41 percent with the existing rules, and at any given time there are over half a million vehicles on the  road without a valid WoF.

“Not only do we have high failure rates, but we evidently also do a poor job enforcing the laws we already have,” Mr Marshall says.

MTA says mileage could play a role in inspection frequency, and with the ongoing drive for universal RUC, it would make sense to consider  linking the two projects.

“The concept of reducing unnecessary regulatory burden is sound — so let’s work on this together. MTA members collectively perform  millions of WoF a year, so they get to see what really goes on.”