Auckland WoF inspector suspended, 790 vehicle owners advised to get retests

Friday, 19 July 2019

New Zealand Transport Agency would be contacting vehicle owners who may have been incorrectly issued a warrant of fitness. (File photo)

A vehicle inspector has been suspended after failing to carry out inspections and certifications correctly, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) says.

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There are fears up to 790 Auckland vehicle owners have been impacted, as the NZTA said there was a strong possibility some vehicles had been incorrectly passed.

NZTA suspended Courteney Hall, a vehicle inspector based in the Auckland suburb of Takapuna, on Thursday.

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Hall issued warrants of fitness (WoF) to people who took their vehicles to Tristram European Limited in Takapuna. WoFs given to vehicle owners from other inspectors at the store were not impacted.

NZTA said a review found Hall had 'failed in his duty to carry out inspections and certification activities competently and diligently, including a lack of checking safety systems'.

'Due to the concerns around the quality of Mr Hall's inspections, there is a strong possibility that some vehicles may have been incorrectly passed,' NZTA said.

NZTA 'strongly' encouraged people who received WoFs from Hall to get their vehicles rechecked.

The agency would be contacting about 790 affected vehicle owners to advise them on recheck options. Vouchers would be given to vehicle owners.