Problems with VTNZ WoF and modified vehicle...
Discussion
Any experts who can help me with the way forward?
Basically, my Beach Buggy is registered and WoF since 1974. I bought it in Feb this year with a fresh WoF from VTNZ New Plymouth. There has been nothing done to the vehicle and now VTNZ Hastings say New Plymouth were wrong in giving a WoF as it needs LVV Cert or Modification Declaration. It has always been in the system and had many recent WoF's at New Plymouth, at least the last 7 years. I bought the buggy on the understanding it had a satisfactory and legal WoF which now apparantly isn't the case. I was under the impression the car is tested to the standards when it was first registered in 1974. Any subsequent mods, if any, since 1992 should be on a declaration but there is no declaration so either never picked up by VTNZ, or done before the deadline.
VTNZ initially acknowledged the issue but didn't now how to fix it - either to give it a WoF as per 1974, or fix their oversight so it can get a WoF. Now they have offered $500 goodwill payment.
Probably a longwinded summary but I hope I'm understood and any advice on my way forward is welcome. I'm thinking Disputes Tribunal but not sure if this is the way. PM me if necessary.
Mark
Basically, my Beach Buggy is registered and WoF since 1974. I bought it in Feb this year with a fresh WoF from VTNZ New Plymouth. There has been nothing done to the vehicle and now VTNZ Hastings say New Plymouth were wrong in giving a WoF as it needs LVV Cert or Modification Declaration. It has always been in the system and had many recent WoF's at New Plymouth, at least the last 7 years. I bought the buggy on the understanding it had a satisfactory and legal WoF which now apparantly isn't the case. I was under the impression the car is tested to the standards when it was first registered in 1974. Any subsequent mods, if any, since 1992 should be on a declaration but there is no declaration so either never picked up by VTNZ, or done before the deadline.
VTNZ initially acknowledged the issue but didn't now how to fix it - either to give it a WoF as per 1974, or fix their oversight so it can get a WoF. Now they have offered $500 goodwill payment.
Probably a longwinded summary but I hope I'm understood and any advice on my way forward is welcome. I'm thinking Disputes Tribunal but not sure if this is the way. PM me if necessary.
Markuncinqsix said:
Get in touch with NZTA directly and ask about making a complaint about VTNZ re the previous WoFs for the car. That will mean that the situation gets investigated properly by the right people, and if there is a solution it will be found.
I've just looked at this option online. It seems the only result is the tester/station gets a slapped wrist and retrained. NZTA quote "The NZTA cannot order financial restitution, or reparation of any sort."It suggests the Dispute Tribunal as the way for repairs or costs. I only want to know why they won't issue a WoF when 3 months earlier they did. Buggy now devalued without it.
Is there another way??
You must be persuasive to get an offer of $500.
This is a common situation where a vehicle has been given WoFs for ages then suddenly someone is awake enough to realise that it doesn't meet requirements. An example of this is the "Riley" near the end of the TradeMe thread - it's not certified as far as I can tell but it's definitely a scratchbuilt vehicle.
Usually the owner gets nothing so I'd take the money and use it to pay for the LVV certification.
Dan
This is a common situation where a vehicle has been given WoFs for ages then suddenly someone is awake enough to realise that it doesn't meet requirements. An example of this is the "Riley" near the end of the TradeMe thread - it's not certified as far as I can tell but it's definitely a scratchbuilt vehicle.
Usually the owner gets nothing so I'd take the money and use it to pay for the LVV certification.
Dan
Edited by Dan M on Friday 2nd July 00:38
mark387mw said:
uncinqsix said:
Get in touch with NZTA directly and ask about making a complaint about VTNZ re the previous WoFs for the car. That will mean that the situation gets investigated properly by the right people, and if there is a solution it will be found.
I've just looked at this option online. It seems the only result is the tester/station gets a slapped wrist and retrained. NZTA quote "The NZTA cannot order financial restitution, or reparation of any sort."It suggests the Dispute Tribunal as the way for repairs or costs. I only want to know why they won't issue a WoF when 3 months earlier they did. Buggy now devalued without it.
Is there another way??
anyhoo, talking to the NZTA may enable you to get a WOF, then case closed.
What costs have you incurred to date?
mark387mw said:
Costs incurred are the purchase of the buggy, insurance and the WoF that failed as I had been hoping since that VTNZ would have sorted their error by now. Now they want to pay me off and sort it myself which seems to be the way forward from talking to the very good Wellington folk 
cool at least you have a way forward... see the NZTA isn't that bad at all..
mark387mw said:
Kiwi XTR2 said:
What about MTA ?
Just had a look at their website - they say they cannot enforce any action so VTNZ wouldn't have to do anymore than they have offered now.I'm awaiting for the regions cert guy to get back to me to arrange what he requires...
You 'should' be able to push this with them (or LTNZ if there has been malfeasance on the part of the previous WoF issuing party) but it would probably cost you more time and hair than it's worth
Good luck
Gassing Station | New Zealand | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff