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DRIVERWoF ChangingFurther changes to the Warrant ofFitness (WoF) test frequency areexpected to be introduced later thisyear. Currently, only vehicles undersix years of age are eligible for anannual WoF, but the NZ TransportAgency (NZTA) has completedconsulting on a plan to expand thisto include cars up to nine years old.The NZTA’s final decision had notbeen released as this issue was goingto print but, if adopted as expected,light vehicles first registered betweenNew WoF inspection frequenciesAge of vehicle2004-2008 can have a 12-month WoFfollowing a successful inspectionfrom 1 October this year.It is also expected that, from 1 April2014, the age range will be expandedagain to include cars and motorcyclesfirst registered between 2000 and 2003.Vehicles registered before 2000 willcontinue to require a six-monthlyWoF, while brand new cars andmotorcycles registered on or after1 April 2014 will receive a three-yearWoF following an initial inspection.Age of vehicle New WoF inspection frequencies Estimated dateof introductionNew An initial WoF inspection, 1 April 2014one at three years old,then one per year for thelifetime of the vehicleFirst registered One per year for the lifetime 1 October 2013 foranywhere in the of the vehicle vehicles first registeredworld on or after between 2004-20081 January 2000 1 April 2014 for vehiclesfirst registeredbetween 2000-2003First registered anywhere One every six months Already in placein the world before for the lifetime of the vehicle – no change1 January 2000RECALLREPORTThere is no need to be alarmedif your vehicle is identified aspart of a recall campaign.Car companies continuallyanalyse reported defects and, asthey take safety very seriously,will initiate recall campaignsas a preventative measure, ifa component is found to havea high failure rate.Vehicle owners are notifiedof recalls. In the case of carssold new in New Zealand, themanufacturer will contactthe registered owner. In someinstances, with used imports, itisn’t always so easy but, whensafety is involved (such as withthe recent airbag recall onHonda, Mazda, Nissan and Toyotavehicles), the distributor willobtain owner contact details viathe NZ Transport Agency (NZTA).Both the Motor IndustryAssociation (MIA) and NZTApublish recall data on theirwebsites, so you can check tosee if your car is affected. Ifit is, don’t panic. You will becontacted by the manufacturer tomake arrangements for work tobe carried out, at no cost to you.FAREWELL FALCONFord’s closure of its manufacturingoperations in Australia in October2016 signals the end of an erafor the Falcon nameplate. Thedivision began operating in Geelongin 1925 assembling Model Ts,and went on to produce manyAussie motoring icons. The closuremeans the Falcon badge will beretired for good. No decision hasbeen reached on what to dowith Ford’s Territory name.Having suffered losses of A$600million in the past five years, thedecision to close the plants willmean the loss of 1,200 jobs.The news came just a monthafter GM Holden announced 500job cuts, most of those at its plantin South Australia, citing the highAustralian dollar, low-cost importedcars from Asia and falling sales of itsCommodore and Cruze models asreasons for the cuts.36 AA Directions Winter 2013