Drivers whose cars are now less than 13 years old will only need annual warrants of fitness checks rather than six-monthly, under changes to the WOF system aimed at saving motorists $159 million a year.
Associate Transport Minister Simon Bridges has just announced the changes after reviewing the WOF system earlier in the year.
AA spokesman Mark Stockdale says the changes to WOF inspections would save time and money without compromising safety.
"The reduced frequency will be accompanied by more roadside enforcement of unsafe vehicles and better education for owners about regular maintenance. The AA believes this will result in safer vehicles at less cost,'' he said.
Mechanical defects were involved in 2.5 per cent of all accidents and such defects were the sole cause of less than 1 per cent of all accidents, Mr Stockdale said.
The changes include:
* new cars will have an initial inspection but no further WOF check will be required until the vehicle is three years old. After that, they will require annual inspections.
* vehicles which are more than three years old and first registered after 1 January 2000 will require annual inspections.
* older vehicles which were first registered before 1 January 2000 will still require 6-monthly checks.
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