Dodgy WOF's are shit.

[ollieboy]

So today I needed a warrant because it was a few months overdue and I couldnt get Rego without one. I knew I needed new tyres so I got them this morning and I decided to put the car through a WOF place to see what else might need doing for the car to be safe. I already knew the balljoints were rooted and theres quite a large hole in the exhaust and thought the WOF would point out anything else that would need fixing so I wouldnt fix balljoints and exhaust only to fail and have to fix more stuff. I chose a $25 Wof on the go place because I didnt have to book and I was in a major rush.

The warrant took a wee while but most of that time was just the car sitting out the back with its bonnet up (Whats under the bonnet for a WOF?).

Anyway I digress, it passed and nothing was said about the hole in the exhaust but he mentioned the balljoints were worn but within limits. I can't see how they are within limits when the brake pedal shudders under braking and theres massive knocking sounds coming from the front. (I replaced them tonight anyway.)

Do you think I should complain about this?

This is pretty bad service yeah?

[snwtoy]

Even if you do complain, I don't actually think much can be done... was speaking to a friend who does wofs - he fails people for completely legit things, who then go elsewhere and pass. Complaints don't seem to mean a thing

[mr pad]

id say they know more about cars than you. maybe not though. are you really that upset? I can't believe you actually created this thread to be honest...

[Ae92typeX]

so replacing them fixed the knocking and shuddering? on my aw the shuddering was the discs and the knocking the steering rack bush.

but, to answer the question,
its up to you. frankly, if a wof place gives a wof to a un roadworthy car they should be investigated, and if they are being slack get their licence revoked (it does happen).
some people like an easy wof, but most people like a safe car.

[ollieboy]

id say they know more about cars than you. maybe not though. are you really that upset? I can't believe you actually created this thread to be honest...

Well what if something that should have been picked up during a warrant failed and I crashed. Hear about the place a few months ago that passed I believe it was a lancer with cut springs and the suspension mounts broke free from the vehicle from excess impact.

Yep Ae92typeX the knocking and shuddering is all fixed after I replaced the balljoints. Yeah I want a safe car not an easy WOF, would rather reduce the likelihood of something bad happening than have a car with a dodgy WOF.

Point noted Snwtoy about complaints not meaning anything. I kinda thought that might be the case like so many other things out there. But I still might consider it.

[Alex B]

WTF has the price got to do with anything? I don't remember there being a part of the VIRM saying "If you charge $&#$% all you can do a half ass warrant"

[ollieboy]

Who's that comment directed at? I'm confused?

[fangsport]

ring them up and ask them what their complaints procdure is, if they havn't got an answer bust them.

if i end up with another vehicle from a certain govt. agency in Ashvegas with a dodgy warrant, best they be well prepared. a collegue is an auditor and has advised me the correct process for dealing with these types.

why should the business i work for have to spend several hundred dollars to stop brake fluid from dripping from master cylinder and wheel cylinders as well as no vacuum assist on a late model vehicle with a 3-day old sticker?

that was the latest and most expensive one, there have been many other minor issues with fresh warrents from there

[Quint]

Bah, take it to a place that charges 35 for a WOF and they failed me on an incorrect bolt being used (instead of a nylock had two bolts with locktite screwed on, hardly fall off material.) but didn't pick up the fact that there is a hole so big in the exhuast you can nearly get two fingers through.

Also they never checked if my brothers 4WS worked propperly.

If you get a warrant, be happy.

[mr pad]

also, PM the place name please. So I can er... conduct my own research.

[scope]

The warrant took a wee while but most of that time was just the car sitting out the back with its bonnet up (Whats under the bonnet for a WOF?).

every wof i've got, they've popped my bonnet. once i failed on battery not being secure, there's something under the bonnet for a wof

[Gonad]

I think the check chassis numbers under there.

I like a warrent to pick up things that are a danger fo my safety - but it pisses me off when they fail me for stoopid crap like a loud exhaust or window sprayers not working.

That stuff is just a waste of my time and money to remedy.

If it were me I'd probably give them a call to say "hey - you guys issued me a warrent and the following was way dodge - it might pay to pick up your game or next time I'll have to report your ass....."

[drtydog]

igo to my local garage for my wof, he charges $40 but he doesnt fail u on stupid crap, and if sumthing is on it's way out he'll point it out 2 u

[Snoozin]

I just got failed on a steering rack boot, an exhaust manifold leak (tiny!) and about 3mm left to right play in a halfshaft which is par for the course on an inboard braked car.

[pc]

Complaining about a WOF place via the written process achieves nothing, banged my head against a wall trying to tell a WOF guy that exhaust bandage meets the requirements in the WOF rules. He didn't agree and ignored the writing in the rules, I complained and the governing body (LTSA I think) also ignored the rules and said the WOF guy was right. Waste of my time... I always go to VT now cos they have the rulebook there and if you disagree with some decision they make, you can get the rulebook out (that they have onsite) and start checking through the list.

[cogent]

the place I go to is really good about things like that - if the wiper fluid is the only thing wrong then they say like "we gave you your wof but you need to fill the wiper fluid this afternoon because technically you failed on it."

guys are really down to earth and know that if i have to bring my car back for something silly like that just to get the sticker, then it wastes my time and thier time. they wont pass it if its an actual safety hazard like worn tyres/brake pads etc

[TOYO-GT-T]

Even if you do complain, I don't actually think much can be done... was speaking to a friend who does wofs - he fails people for completely legit things, who then go elsewhere and pass. Complaints don't seem to mean a thing

Any reason why he's failing people for completely legit things?, I can't quite grasp his W.O.F process

[big_boy]

theres a place in dunedin that will do W.O.F`s over the phone if you get the right guy you apperently just give him $45 & the WOF arrives in the mail all ticked ect dodgy as you can normaly pick the cars hes done to as there normaly down the portabalo side ect

im one who perfers to be stoped for serous things like breaks rust structal stuff but if its the likes of a park light say then just by told to go fix it on my way home

[Mr.Phreak]

Complaing about failing WOF's generally gets you no where, but complaining about dodgy WOF's can subject the tester to an audit.....which is six shades of nasty

[ollieboy]

The warrant took a wee while but most of that time was just the car sitting out the back with its bonnet up (Whats under the bonnet for a WOF?).

every wof i've got, they've popped my bonnet. once i failed on battery not being secure, there's something under the bonnet for a wof

Yeah I wasn't saying it was pointless I just wasnt sure what they check under the bonnet and was asking.