Coronavirus: essential car questions

Friday, 27 March 2020

How might the coronavirus lock down impact the way you use your car? Here are some obvious questions, with the best answers available at this moment.

My vehicle's Warrant (or Certificate) of Fitness is going to lapse during the lock down. With testing stations and garages closed, can I drive it without a current WoF or CoF without getting into trouble?

Your call, but it might be risky.

Chances are that any discretion that could be meted vehicles on essential services caught out by this might not be exercised for those just popping down to the shops.

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Unless you are an essential service you won't be able to get a WoF during the lockdown.

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The AA will be able to assist its members during the lockdown, but there are stricter conditions.

The NZTA cautions that enforcement of expired WoFs/CoFs is at the discretion of Police and local authorities.

Its advice to private motorists is this. 'If your WoF expires during this period, you should wait to renew it until the Government has announced it is safe to move out from self-isolation.

'In the meantime, if you must travel for essentials (eg groceries, doctor visits), please consider other options.'

The Insurance Council says companies will still cover you for a crash if your WoF expires during the lock down, as long as your vehicle doesn't have an existing safety issue that would mean you might not get a WOF. Tyres needing to be replaced, for example.

The NZTA says it is 'looking at alternative measure to address this issue' and If there's any change to its advice, you'll find it here on their website.

Okay, so I'm out on an essential trip and the car won't restart or I've got a flat tyre; will roadside assistance come?

Yes, at least if you're signed up with the biggest national provider of mobile services, New Zealand Automobile Association, but it needs to be an 'urgent' emergency.

But, yes, AA Roadservice is available over the lockdown period for AA Members whose vehicles need assistance during essential travel.

Garages will be allowed to carry out work, but only on vehicles used for essential services.

'We will also be able to assist those in the essential service workforce. We will however be making some changes to the way we prioritise callouts, in order to ensure that we can continue to help those most in need,' a spokeswoman said.

Also, there's an understandable request: 'We will ask members to maintain at least a two-metre distance from our service officer or remain in their car, and follow their instructions to help keep everyone safe.'

If your vehicle is unable to be moved, more good news. The Motor Trade Association understands vehicle recovery services – basically, towing and flat deck pick-ups – are also considered essential, so will continue.

But in that situation, how much more largesse beyond extricating your vehicle to a safe spot, at least when the customer is an everyday member of the public is uncertain.

What if my vehicle requires other kinds of repair work?

You can still work on your car yourself, although parts may be hard to come by for a few weeks.

Expect to hear that this might not be possible.

Within the new car sector, unless special provisions can be made, the only function by distributors and their franchised dealers will be to provision parts and to service or repair vehicles used by essential services.

Non-franchise repairers still allowed to operate are doing the same.

David Crawford, chief executive of the Motor Industry Association, which represents new vehicle distributors, says that organisation and the Motor Trade Association totally endorses the Government's position.

'We ask the public to be understanding if a request to service or repair your vehicle during this time is declined. The sooner we can stop the spread of the virus the sooner New Zealand can reopen for business.'

Can I source parts and do the work myself?

Could be tricky. After-market specialists have also closed their shops, but one has indicated customers with essential service vehicles can order parts and tools online and these will be home-delivered.

Will coronavirus cause fuel shortages?

No.

NZ Refining categorically assures there is plenty of fuel here, there is more coming and the Marsden Point refinery which produces premium and regular petrol, diesel and kerosene is maintaining operation.

However, it is changing operations to produce less fuel with fewer staff, by closing down parts of the refinery and concentrating on the production of key fuels. Essentially, production for the next three months at least will be around 50 percent the normal flow, because of demand is going to be lower.

However, it impresses that supplies of crude oil from overseas have not been disrupted and are arriving as scheduled.

So just to be absolutely clear: when can I drive my car and how far can I go?

Driving in private cars is allowed.

Yet the Covid-19 web site couldn't be any clearer - staying home and isolated within your bubble gives us the best chance of beating this.

So, if you do need to drive, it must be for a genuine reason that stacks up with the expectation expressed through official channels.

Mainly, to stock up on required groceries and other home supplies. Even then, these should be direct trips. Tiki-touring is not going to be countenanced and the police will be out checking drivers.

Will public transport continue?

Yes, but again it's not just for fun. If you're not involved in essential services and taking a bus or taxi to or from work, you're only taking a ride for medical reasons or for getting to and from the supermarket.