My understanding is that if your car fails a wof it is flagged in the system so regardless of where you take it the fault will have to be fixed in order to pass the wof. YEs if the cost was great you have the option to shop around but my question is does the work actually need to be undertaken or not? Perhaps the workshop is having a slow week? Over the years I have heard plenty of stories of required work for wofs on cars you wouldn't expect to require that amount of work every 6 months, I on the other hand go into VTNZ and never need more than a bulb or a tire. I do feel that some workshops may treat some of their customers as the proverbial cash cows regarding wof checks and subsequent work

I should add that on my last wof the guys at VTNZ advised me that my brake pads were getting low, not to the point of problem or needing replacement but something to check in the upcoming months, no hard sell or pressure just good old customer service, maybe that could have become a $800 must do for a warrant somewhere else :P