CruizyWoF changes Nov 2026: WoF, CoF and rego explained
Updated 4 Oct 2026
Most vehicles on New Zealand roads need two things to be legal: a current inspection (a warrant of fitness or certificate of fitness) and a current licence, which everyone calls rego. They're easy to mix up, and the WoF rules are changing from 1 November 2026. Here's what each one is, how often you need it, and what it means when you buy or sell.
Checked against NZTA's announcements on 4 October 2026.
In this guide
- At a glance: WoF changes from 1 November 2026
- The short version
- Warrant of fitness (WoF)
- WoF changes from 1 November 2026
- Certificate of fitness (CoF)
- Vehicle licence (rego)
- Selling a car around the change?
- Buying or selling: what to check
- Frequently asked questions
At a glance: WoF changes from 1 November 2026
From NZTA's notice to vehicle inspectors and its summary of the changes. The new frequency starts at a vehicle's next WoF; the expiry date on its current WoF doesn't change.
| Light vehicle | Until 31 October 2026 | From 1 November 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand new | First WoF lasts 3 years | First WoF lasts 4 years |
| 4 to 14 years old, registered on or after 1 November 2019 | Every year | Every 2 years, from 1 November 2026 |
| 4 to 14 years old, registered 1 November 2013 to 31 October 2019 | Every year | Every 2 years, from 1 November 2027 |
| 14 years and older | Every year | Every year |
| Registered before 1 January 2000 | Every 6 months | Every year |
| Light rental vehicle (CoF A) | Every 6 months | Every year |
| Driver assistance warning lights | Not checked | Checked: no warning or fault light may show for systems such as automatic emergency braking or lane keep assist |
| Fine for a WoF more than 2 months overdue | $200 | $350 |
The short version
- WoF: a regular safety inspection for most cars, utes, vans and motorcycles.
- CoF: a more detailed inspection for heavy vehicles, passenger service vehicles and rental vehicles.
- Rego: the vehicle licence you pay for to use the vehicle on the road. You need a current WoF or CoF to renew it.
- Registration is different from rego. It's the one-off step that puts a vehicle on the Motor Vehicle Register.
You can check a vehicle's rego, inspection and RUC expiry dates online with the plate number.
Warrant of fitness (WoF)
A WoF shows that a vehicle met the required safety standards on the day it was inspected. According to NZTA's WoF page, the inspection covers things like:
- tyres, brakes, steering and suspension
- structure and rust in structural areas
- lights, glazing, wipers and doors
- safety belts and airbags
- the speedometer, exhaust and fuel leaks.
Just as important is what a WoF doesn't check. NZTA is clear that a WoF isn't a pre-purchase inspection. It doesn't look at the engine, clutch, gearbox or differential, lubricants, how much life the brake pads have left, or paint and rust that isn't structural.
Under the rules that apply until the end of October 2026, a vehicle first registered on or after 1 January 2000 needs a WoF every year, a vehicle first registered before 2000 needs one every six months, and a brand-new vehicle's first WoF lasts until its third anniversary. Since 1 September 2025, vintage vehicles more than 40 years old have needed a WoF every 12 months.
WoF changes from 1 November 2026
The table above sets out the new frequencies. In short, most cars aged 4 to 14 go to a WoF every two years, phased in over 2026 and 2027; older cars stay annual; and pre-2000 vehicles, including motorcycles, move from six-monthly to annual. Inspectors will also check that no warning light is showing for driver assistance systems like automatic emergency braking.
Less frequent inspections put more responsibility on owners. A car can go two years between WoFs, so tyres, brakes and lights need checking in between. Some fines go up too: NZTA's notice says the fine for a WoF more than two months overdue rises from $200 to $350, and for tyres and wheels that don't comply from $150 to $350.
Certificate of fitness (CoF)
A certificate of fitness is needed for heavy vehicles (those over 3,500kg, such as trucks, large trailers and heavy motorhomes), passenger service vehicles like taxis, shuttles and buses, and rental vehicles. It's a more thorough inspection than a WoF and lasts between three and 12 months.
Heavy vehicles have extra requirements, including RUC and a hubodometer to record distance. Like a WoF, a CoF isn't a pre-purchase inspection.
Vehicle licence (rego)
Rego is the licence fee you pay to use a vehicle on the road. NZTA's licensing (rego) pages explain the main rules:
- You can renew for up to 12 months at a time, online or at an agent.
- You need a current WoF or CoF to renew.
- NZTA sends a reminder about six weeks before it expires. Its reminder emails no longer contain clickable links, because scammers send fake rego messages.
- Licensing is continuous. If a vehicle will be off the road for three months or more, you can put the rego on hold rather than letting it lapse.
- If a vehicle stays unlicensed for 12 months, its registration is cancelled.
The cost depends on the vehicle type and fuel. Check NZTA's vehicle fees page for current amounts.
Selling a car around the change?
The new frequency only starts at a car's next WoF, so a car you sell this year keeps the expiry date on its current label. Buyers can still insist on a WoF less than a month old unless they agree in writing to an older one, so check the date before you list your car on Cruizy and say in the listing when the WoF runs out.
Buying or selling: what to check
NZTA's buying a vehicle and selling guidance sets out what's expected:
- WoF. A seller should provide a WoF less than one month old, unless the buyer agrees in writing to accept an older one or none at all. Without a current WoF, the car can only be driven to get it repaired or inspected.
- Rego. If the rego has expired, the buyer pays licensing from the date of purchase. The seller is responsible for any overdue licensing up to the date they tell NZTA about the sale.
- RUC. If the vehicle pays road user charges, it's against the law to sell it without a current RUC licence. See our RUC guide.
A fresh WoF is a good sign, but it's not a clean bill of health. Get an independent inspection and run the history checks in our guide to checking a car's history.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell a car without a WoF?
Yes, but the buyer needs to agree to it in writing, and the car can then only be driven to be repaired or inspected. Many buyers will expect a lower price.
Does a new WoF mean the car is in good condition?
No. A WoF is a safety check on the day. It doesn't cover the engine, gearbox or general wear, so get a pre-purchase inspection as well.
What's the difference between registration and rego?
Registration puts a vehicle on the Motor Vehicle Register, usually once. Rego is the licence you renew to keep using the vehicle on the road.
Do the November 2026 changes mean I can skip checks?
No. Your car still has to be safe to drive every day. With longer gaps between inspections, check tyres, lights and brakes yourself and get problems fixed early.
Related guides
On Cruizy
Listings show the rego and WoF details from official records where we have them. Browse cars for sale, read our safety centre before you meet anyone, or list your car; check our fees for the current price first.
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Rules and fees change, so check the official sources linked here before you rely on them.