Tips To Get You Through Your Warrant Of Fitness (WoF)

If getting a WoF makes you anxious, good preparation will help to ensure a happy outcome. It’s also reassuring to know that while about 40% of vehicles fail their initial WoF inspection, most of the issues are minor and easy to deal with.

When you know you have a WoF inspection coming up put some weekend time aside for these checks:

Over time, wiper blades wear out and require replacing when they no longer wipe water and dirt away for a clear view of the road ahead. Check that the washers are working correctly too; they need to squirt enough water with the appropriate distribution to help the wipers clean without smearing and missed patches.

Essential for ensuring traction, the condition of your tyres is extremely important. Check the air pressure in each tyre and always follow the PSI recommendation - you will find this on the sidewall of the tyre. Correct air pressure enables your tyres to get a better grip on the road and makes the car more fuel-efficient. While you’re doing this, also check the tread depth indicator on the tyre - the minimum legal depth is 1.5 mm, if you’re unsure, ask your local mechanic to check them for you. Unless you have the right tools at home, you're best to pop into your local gas station to check and adjust your tyre pressure, and your local mechanic to check your tread.

The lights on your vehicle not only to help you to see after dark, they help others to see you and your intentions. With the help of a friend, check that your headlights (including high beams), parking lights, brake lights, tail lights, fog lights and indicators all work. You can also check by parking your car in front of a window and looking at the reflection. Blown bulbs are usually easy and affordable to replace.

While it’s not essential for your WoF, it’s a good idea to check your oil level from time to time. If it gets too low, you risk damaging the engine and causing it to seize. Have a look at the dipstick and top up the oil if necessary. If you’re unsure what kind of oil your car takes, have a look in the manual or call your mechanic.

In an accident, a properly functioning seatbelt could save your life. Check that all of the seatbelts retract well, have no rips, tears or frays in the edges in them or have considerable fading. If there are seats folded down in the back, put them upright. Also check that all of the belt buckles fasten securely.

Help the WoF inspector by making sure they can access areas of your vehicle with ease. Remember also to clear out your boot, so the inspector can easily check the spare wheel. If you have a child car seat installed, remove this before taking the car in for the inspection.

Many people take their dogs out and about with them, but it’s not a good idea to take Snoopy to the WoF station. Alternatively, take your pooch for a walk while you wait for the inspection to be completed.

A sure way to stay on top of your vehicle’s maintenance is to have a regular service, ideally at least once a year or every 10,000 kms. During the service, it’s likely your mechanic will notice defects that could prevent you from getting your next WoF. Get these fixed and you’re on target for a worry-free WoF inspection.