Caravan Failed WOF But Passed When Purchased

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#3362285 9-Apr-2025 12:59

It is a bit confusing as the VIRM WoF bible doesn’t mention years but some LTSA pages do. I find it hard to believe that the caravan has gone so long without lights if it should have them. You could call LTSA for their opinion.

outdoorsnz

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#3362290 9-Apr-2025 13:40

Bung:

It is a bit confusing as the VIRM WoF bible doesn’t mention years but some LTSA pages do. I find it hard to believe that the caravan has gone so long without lights if it should have them. You could call LTSA for their opinion.

Ultimately lights need to be installed, but questions remain around last issued WOF. We looked up the warrant sheet and they failed / passed the forward facing lights. When questioned, they said we made a mistake I'm sorry and then some crap about people sometimes bring in the wrong plates. Will talk to caravan association for advice.

lxsw20

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#3362306 9-Apr-2025 14:44

Realistically what have you got to gain by taking this further? I think its time to just get the lights fitted and move on - it shouldn't be a complex job.

outdoorsnz

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#3362314 9-Apr-2025 15:35

lxsw20:

Realistically what have you got to gain by taking this further? I think its time to just get the lights fitted and move on - it shouldn't be a complex job.

You are probably right!

tweake

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#3362324 9-Apr-2025 16:23

i would just fit the lights.

however i would pass the story along to LTSA and let them know whats going on.

Mehrts

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#3362355 9-Apr-2025 18:22

tweake:

i would just fit the lights.

however i would pass the story along to LTSA and let them know whats going on.

LTSA (Land Transport Safety Authority) hasn't existed since 2004ish. NZTA (NZ Transport Agency) is the current outfit.

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tweake

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#3362479 9-Apr-2025 20:33

yeah i'm old, i can't keep up with all the name changes.

Wheelbarrow01

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#3362500 10-Apr-2025 01:45

Is the caravan in question definitely >2 metres wide? If so, then it does require forward facing position lamps (FFPL) as per https://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.nz/virms/in-service-wof-and-cof/general-trailers/lighting/forward-facing-position-lamps

(Note there is no special category for caravans - they are all categorised as light trailers, but there are various weight classes [most are class TB - 750kg-3500kg]).

A quick search on Trademe and I have found one caravan for sale, with a current WOF, but without FFPL. No width measurement for the van is given in the advert HOWEVER it is advertised with beds that are 203cm in length - and in the photos these beds clearly run across the van, meaning the van itself must be over 203cms wide. Interesting.... https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/caravans-motorhomes/caravans/13-16-ft/listing/5236724374

I can't find any rule relating to age - it seems all trailers >2 metres wide must have forward facing position lamps. The dozens of Caravans on Trademe made in the '60s and '70s all have them - except the one example above (and the obviously narrow ones).

Bung:

How old is this caravan? Some requirements were brought in for trailers manufactured after 1 Jan 2006. The lights may still be a good idea but not mandatory due to age.

I checked this rule out. For trailers manufactured after 1 Jan 2006, the lights have to meet a specific design standard (in this case, ADR Rule 49). For trailers built prior to 2006, this standard does not apply. That rule only relates to the standard of the lights that are fitted - not whether or not they must be fitted.

As far as I can tell, there is no minimum height at which FFPL must be installed, so your friend could probably get away with installing them down quite low on the front so that there is no/minimal surface wiring visible. Definitely worth checking this with the WOF inspector first to be sure.

FYI I am no expert, but I have sort of been through all this with the car transport trailer that I recently rebuilt/modified, where I ran all new lighting myself, including front facing position lamps.

[EDIT: fix punctuation]

outdoorsnz

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#3362533 10-Apr-2025 09:34

Thanks for the reply's. Lights are getting fitted today.

Of Topic, but does anyone know of an electrical WOF caravan inspector in the Dunedin / Mosgiel area? Apparently a few have retired of late.

nicmair

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#3362555 10-Apr-2025 11:13

Pretty sure Dunedin Warrant of Fitness Centre in Hillside Rd does them, as often when I drive home there is caravans getting checked, (but I'd call them first to check).

I sympathize with your frustration as I've been through this twice, car one had a creak in the dash board that had been there for years, and never had an issue passing a warrant, then one year, they would not pass it unless Subaru said that the air bag would operate correctly, no amount of pointing out that they (the same place I had always taken my cars to) had given the car repeated warrants for years made a difference, had to replace the dashboard, (that was a fun job!!!!). The other one was that one place failed the wifes car cause a rear wheel did rotate feely enough, so took it to a machinic who inspected it, they didn't agree it didn't rotate freely enough but made adjustments anyway so it did roll freer, took it back, they failed it again as still wasn't "free enough", in frustration on the way home I pulled into another testing station, paid another testing fee and drove away with a warrant. 12months later, took it back the original place, drove out with a warrant and have done ever since.

It's the lack of consistency that gets you, not that there is an issue, and I respect the work these people do and now just smile and move on.

Bung

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#3362581 10-Apr-2025 11:51

I had a VTNZ inspector fail me for tinted rear passenger windows, Suzuki NZ confirmed that it was original factory glass without plastic overlay. The inspector still refused and his manager had to sign the sheet. Now I get the dealer to do the WoF and grit my teeth when the service is supposed to cover all the items that they charged again for as a WoF inspection.

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#3362692 10-Apr-2025 13:08

outdoorsnz:

Thanks for the reply's. Lights are getting fitted today.

Of Topic, but does anyone know of an electrical WOF caravan inspector in the Dunedin / Mosgiel area? Apparently a few have retired of late.

@outdoorsnz For the Electrical WOF try Aotea electrical. Suggested to me by a friend who has a caravan in Mosgiel.

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#3362723 10-Apr-2025 14:58

nicmair:

It's the lack of consistency that gets you,

yeah, i just took old vintage to get a wof. strange it just failed on two ball joints, despite its only ever gets driven to the wof place and back (i would love those 1 year wof for it). even stranger is one of them is new that i put in years ago.

i wonder if the higher ups have been complaining they haven't been failing enough vehicles.

lxsw20

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#3362730 10-Apr-2025 15:17

Bung:

I had a VTNZ inspector fail me for tinted rear passenger windows, Suzuki NZ confirmed that it was original factory glass without plastic overlay. The inspector still refused and his manager had to sign the sheet. Now I get the dealer to do the WoF and grit my teeth when the service is supposed to cover all the items that they charged again for as a WoF inspection.

There are plenty of quirks like this.

Some 90s Toyotas had mechanical air bags, so no airbag light. WOF inspectors would fail them for no airbag light, so you had to get a letter from Toyota to say...it doesn't have one.

richms

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#3362737 10-Apr-2025 15:25

tweake:

yeah, i just took old vintage to get a wof. strange it just failed on two ball joints, despite its only ever gets driven to the wof place and back (i would love those 1 year wof for it). even stranger is one of them is new that i put in years ago.

i wonder if the higher ups have been complaining they haven't been failing enough vehicles.

This is why I give them an easy fail with a dead brake light or loose spare wheel or something I can fix in the carpark and go straight into the recheck lane.

Richard rich.ms

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