10 Affordable and Hassle-Free WOF Testing Stations and Mechanics Auckland
Minimize the risk of a failed WOF, save money and time, and get repairs from trusted Auckland mechanics with our comprehensive guide
Updated 1 August 2020
Generally, the biggest surprise with getting a WOF isn’t the upfront fee (a WOF is generally cheap; $50 to $75 is standard). Instead, it’s the WOF ‘fails’ that can end up costing a lot of money. To ensure getting a WOF in Auckland is a hassle-free process, our guide covers:
Know this first: Find the right WOF test centre for your vehicle's condition
A WOF promotion for $30 or $40 sounds good, but be careful. You face the risk of being strong-armed into spending $500+ with the mechanics if a fault is found. To make things simpler and put you in control, we suggest the following approach:
Is your car in excellent condition?
Is your car in moderate condition and likely to need only minor repairs?
Is your car likely to need major repairs?
Final Steps: Re-testing your vehicle after repairs
- Suggest DIY Pre-WOF Test
- WOF repairs - know the costs upfront to avoid surprises
- Top 10 Auckland mechanics for WOF fails
Know this first: Find the right WOF test centre for your vehicle's condition
A WOF promotion for $30 or $40 sounds good, but be careful. You face the risk of being strong-armed into spending $500+ with the mechanics if a fault is found. To make things simpler and put you in control, we suggest the following approach:
Is your car in excellent condition?
- If your car is less than five years old and/or is kept in top condition, choosing a WOF testing centre based on price is likely to be the best option.
Is your car in moderate condition and likely to need only minor repairs?
- If you believe that your car will probably pass, a WOF testing station that doesn’t offer repairs is likely to be the best choice. A popular example is VTNZ. As they don’t carry out repairs, there's no vested interest in anything failing.
Is your car likely to need major repairs?
- If you’re confident your vehicle will need repairs to pass its WOF, then the best approach is to take it to an independent testing agent (like VTNZ) and research trusted local garages. Once you know the faults from a failed WOF, you can arrange a quote.
Final Steps: Re-testing your vehicle after repairs
- If your vehicle fails a WOF and you get the necessary repairs, it will need to be re-tested.
- If you fix all the items that require attention within 28 days of the initial inspection, the WOF testing station will re-inspect the vehicle at no additional cost.
- If you exceed the 28 days from the initial inspection, a new fee and inspection are required.
Our Pick for an Independent WOF Assessment in Auckland
- While thousands of NZTA-approved garages and service centres offer a WOF, we believe Vehicle Testing New Zealand (VTNZ) is a truly independent operation. There are numerous locations all over Auckland.
- The one-off fee is $67, and if your vehicle fails, you can take it to any garage of your choice (VTNZ doesn't offer repairs).
- We have no business relationship with VTNZ and publish our view as a journalistic opinion.
- For repairs, our top 10 Auckland mechanics for WOF fails has you covered.
DIY Pre-WOF Test
Per 2019 government statistics, in 2019 a total of 1,886,104 vehicles failed a WOF on the first attempt. This means that 40% of vehicles are not at the desired level of roadworthiness.
We suggest saving yourself the hassle of having to fix common mistakes by undertaking a DIY pre-WOF check at home. Some simple pre-WOF fixes can lower the risk of a failure, although some fails can only be fixed by professional mechanics. Pre-empting the issues and fixing them beforehand saves you money, time and frustration.
Know this: Around 1 in 6 vehicles fail their WOF because of a dead light bulb. The table below outlines the most common reasons for failing a WOF and ways to prepare in advance.
We suggest saving yourself the hassle of having to fix common mistakes by undertaking a DIY pre-WOF check at home. Some simple pre-WOF fixes can lower the risk of a failure, although some fails can only be fixed by professional mechanics. Pre-empting the issues and fixing them beforehand saves you money, time and frustration.
Know this: Around 1 in 6 vehicles fail their WOF because of a dead light bulb. The table below outlines the most common reasons for failing a WOF and ways to prepare in advance.
Reason for Failure |
Checks to do before your WOF |
Lights |
Make sure all of your lights are working. Do a 360-degree walk-around of your car while every light is on, and check brakes, dip, hazard and indicators, as well as the number plate light. Solution: If a light is out, a new bulb costs a few dollars from stores such as Repco and Supercheap Auto. |
Suspension |
A comprehensive suspension check is impossible, but if you push down on each corner of your car and then release, the car should re-balance. If it doesn't, then shock absorber reconditioning may be required. Your WOF will reveal what's needed. |
Brakes |
If your brakes feel tense then it's likely you have an issue. You may also see a brake warning light which indicates your brake pads need replacing. If an issue comes up on your WOF, a mechanic is the best person to fix it. |
Tyres |
Tyre pressure Check your car's tyre pressure and fill them up to their recommended level at a petrol station. You can find the desired PSI in your vehicle handbook, inside the fuel filler flap, or on the driver's door post. Tyre tread The minimum legal tread depth is 1.5mm within all principal grooves that contain these moulded tread depth indicators. If it is below, you'll need to buy a new tyre for every one that fails the WOF. |
Windscreen |
Per the NZTA, damage (apart from scratching and surface pitting that does not affect the driver’s vision, such as small stone marks) will fail a WOF. If you have windscreen damage that affects your vision of the road, you'll need to get this repaired. Some insurers cover glass repair without excess, so see if this applies to you. A windscreen with damage that prevents the wiper blades from working properly will also fail a WOF. |
Exhaust |
A leaking exhaust will fail a WOF. To test it, turn on your engine (in a well-ventilated location) to check for unusual noises or abnormal smoke. If you notice either or both, it indicates a leak which will fail a WOF. |
Steering |
There's no test you can do at home, but if you feel as if the steering could be more responsive or you see a warning light, a repair may be needed. |
Fluids |
Check the brake fluid, windscreen washer and oil reserves, as well as for leaks. |
Everything else |
Give your car a comprehensive once-over, making sure that your seatbelts are functioning, the horn works, the doors open and close from inside and outside, and make sure the wing-mirrors are clean and secure. Most importantly, check there are no warning lights on. |
WOF repairs - know the costs upfront to avoid surprises
For repairs, get a quote first and ask the right questions:
Whatever the WOF issue with your car, when organising a quote, we suggest asking:
- Requesting a quote detailing the cost of a job will minimise the chances of any nasty billing surprises. Such a quote will formally set out the cost of a job so that you know what to expect.
Whatever the WOF issue with your car, when organising a quote, we suggest asking:
- What is the estimate of the total cost to fix the problem(s)?
- Is GST included? 15% adds up, so make sure the final price you hear and agree to is GST-inclusive. For example, $300 becomes $345 with GST included.
- What is the guarantee period? You want a solution, not a short-term fix, so ask to make sure that the proposed solution offered is final and will meet the needs of the WOF assessment.
10 Reliable Auckland Mechanics that will Test and Resolve WOF Fails
Our list below, which is no particular order, covers mechanics who test and resolve WOF fails, located in Central, East, West, North and South Auckland. We have selected these mechanics based on their history of longstanding service within Auckland, location and data extracted from internet reviews on Google Business, Facebook, TradeMe Services and others.
No mechanic has paid to appear on this list, and MoneyHub.co.nz has no relationship with any company appearing below.
No mechanic has paid to appear on this list, and MoneyHub.co.nz has no relationship with any company appearing below.
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Victoria Park Auto ServicesVictoria Park Auto Services is a trusted car mechanic based in the Auckland CBD. They have service technicians and professional motor mechanics with recognised NZQA qualifications. In addition to their services listed below, they also provide a 12-month or 10,000 km of driving warranty.
What Aucklanders like:
Services include, but are not limited to:
Google Rating: 4.8/5 Base: Freemans Bay, Central Auckland Contact: 09 379 2490 Website: Victoria Park Auto Services |
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Europa Auto ServicesEuropa Auto Services is an AA Certified car mechanics based in Parnell, Auckland. They cover minor mechanical repairs to major overhauls as well as other general automotive services.
What Aucklanders like:
Google Rating: 4.8/5 Base: Parnell, Auckland Contact: 09 309 0668 Website: Europa Auto Services |
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Auto Services Mt EdenAuto Services Mt Eden has been running the operation since 2007. Since they, they've been specialising in all Japanese and European vehicles. They cover mechanical works, repairs and WOF inspections.
What Aucklanders like:
Google Rating: 5/5 Base: Mt Eden, Auckland Contact: 09 522 5111 Website: Auto Services Mt Eden |
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Mobile Mechanic Turner AutomotiveMobile Mechanic Turner Automotive are mobile mechanics and electricians offering an extensive range of services including diagnostics and repairs. They are capable of providing mobile oil changes service to those within the Auckland area.
What Aucklanders like:
Base: Mobile only, serving the wider Auckland area Contact: 021 292 0762 Website: Mobile Mechanic Turner Automotive |
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Shore AutomotiveShore Automotive was established in 2007 and had been providing mechanical repairs, maintenance and servicing to a wide range of vehicles. They have a team of certified auto repair and servicing mechanics who have years of mechanical engineering experience.
What Aucklanders like:
Base: Albany, Auckland Contact: 09 476 6946 Website: Shore Automotive |
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Auto Pal Vehicle Servicing and RepairsAuto Pal Vehicle Servicing and Repairs is located in Takapuna, Auckland. They provide a complete auto mechanical repair and services to different types of vehicles including Japanese, European, Vans and light commercial vehicles.
What Aucklanders like:
Google Rating: 4.7/5 Base: Takapuna, Auckland Contact: 09 488 9188 Website: Auto Pal Vehicle Servicing and Repairs |
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Jasco Automotives LtdJasco Automotives Ltd has been operating since 1995. They consist of a team of certified MTA approved technicians. With their knowledge and experience, they were able to establish good client feedback from their customers in South Auckland.
What Aucklanders like:
Base: Manukau, Auckland Contact: 09 263 4282 Website: Jasco Automotive Ltd. |
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Subirex AutomotiveSubirex Automotives Ltd is a mechanical shop working on different models and types of vehicles. They are based in South Auckland offering general auto repair, panel paint and servicing packages.
What Aucklanders like:
Base: Manukau, Auckland Contact: 09 250 4041 Website: Subirex Automotive |
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Highbrook AutomotiveHighbrook Automotive offers a full range of automotive services for private vehicles, fleet and light commercial vehicles. They provide regular maintenance, diagnostics and mechanical repairs since 2008.
What Aucklanders like:
Base: East Tamaki, Auckland Contact: 09 274 9379 Website: Highbrook Automotive |
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Keeling AutomotiveKeeling Automotive has been operating since 2007 offering mechanical services to all types and makes of vehicles. They work on small private cars to medium built trucks that need repairs, servicing and upgrades.
What Aucklanders like:
Base: Waitakere City, Auckland Contact: 09 836 2560 Website: Keeling Automotive |
Our Pick for an Independent WOF Assessment in Auckland
- While thousands of NZTA-approved garages and service centres offer a WOF, we believe Vehicle Testing New Zealand (VTNZ) is a truly independent operation. There are numerous locations all over Auckland.
- The one-off fee is $67, and if your vehicle fails, you can take it to any garage of your choice (VTNZ doesn't offer repairs).
- We have no business relationship with VTNZ and publish our view as a journalistic opinion.
- For repairs, our top 10 Auckland mechanics for WOF fails has you covered.
Disclaimer: MoneyHub.co.nz has no relationship, financial or otherwise, with any of the mechanics listed on this page. Quotes and final bills for individual vehicle repairs vary, and our pricing guide is for guidance purposes only.
