Warrant of Fitness (WoF)
A warrant of fitness (WoF),is a regular check to ensure that your vehicle meets required safety standards.
Warrant of Fitness (WoF)
A warrant of fitness (WoF),is a regular check to ensure that your vehicle meets required safety standards.
How often a WoF is required?
1) New vehicle that’s never been registered – 3 years WoF
2) Less than two years ago – Wof to its third ‘birthday’
3) More than 2 years but less than 3 years – 12 months WoF
4) on or after 1 January 2000 – 12 months WoF
5) Before 1 January 2000 – 6 months WoF
It’s illegal to drive a vehicle…
If it doesn’t meet WoF requirements.
If it doesn’t display a valid WoF label.
What a warrant inspection covers?
- Tyres condition (including tread depth)
- brake opeartion
- structural condition (rust is not allowed in certain areas)
- lights glazing (is your windscreen safe?)
- windscreen washers and wipers
- doors (do they open and close safely?)
- safety belts (must not be damaged or overly faded; buckles must work properly)
- airbags (if fitted)
- speedometer (must be working)
- steering and suspension (must be safe and secure)
- exhaust (there must be no leaks and the exhaust must not be smoky or louder than the original exhaust system)
- fuel system (there must be no leaks).
What a warrant is not?
A WoF is not a pre-purchase inspection. It doesn’t include many areas of a vehicle’s condition. For example it doesn’t check:
- engine, clutch, gearbox and differential condition
- lubricant levels and condition brake pad thickness or life expectancy, unless they are visibly below safe limits
- paint work condition and some rust in non-structural areas.
