Vintage Cars and Motorhomes Shift to Annual Inspections Starting 1 Sept

In a welcome move for car enthusiasts and road-trippers alike, Transport Minister Chris Bishop has announced that, beginning 1 September, vintage light vehicles and private heavy motorhomes will shift from six-monthly to annual inspections under New Zealand’s Warrant or Certificate of Fitness (WoF/CoF) system. The decision reflects growing recognition that these vehicles, often lovingly maintained and infrequently driven, pose a lower safety risk on New Zealand roads.

A Change Rooted in Evidence and Public Support

Until now, owners of New Zealand’s estimated 128,000 registered vintage vehicles and 39,000 private motorhomes were required to obtain inspections twice a year, despite compelling data showing that these vehicles are significantly less likely to contribute to serious crashes than standard modern vehicles.

“Evidence shows that vintage vehicles and motorhomes are half as likely to have a contributing fault in a serious crash—even after accounting for how rarely they’re driven,” Minister Bishop said. “Not only that, but vintage cars actually perform better in WoF inspections than newer vehicles under 40 years old.”

Interestingly, statistics indicate that WoF pass rates increase after a vehicle turns 40, suggesting these cars are maintained with above-average care—likely a reflection of their sentimental and collector value.

Commonsense Reform for Low-Risk Vehicles

The regulatory change follows a public consultation held earlier this year, where support for reducing inspection frequency was overwhelmingly positive. Vehicle owners, vintage car clubs, and motorhome associations alike argued that the current six-month schedule was unnecessarily burdensome, especially considering how little these vehicles are driven compared to daily commuters.

“This is commonsense regulation in action,” said Minister Bishop. “It means less time spent queueing at testing centres and more time doing what vintage and motorhome owners love—tinkering under the bonnet or exploring New Zealand’s beautiful roads.”

Who Qualifies for Annual Inspections?

The new rules apply to:

• Vintage light vehicles, defined as cars first registered more than 40 years ago

• Private heavy motorhomes, used for recreational, non-commercial purposes

These vehicles must still meet standard roadworthiness and safety criteria, but the change simply reduces the frequency with which owners must undergo formal inspections.

A Nod to Kiwis’ Love for the Open Road

New Zealand has long had a vibrant community of vintage car enthusiasts and a growing number of families and retirees embracing the motorhome lifestyle. Whether it’s Sunday drives in a classic Holden, or touring the South Island in a converted camper, these vehicles are symbolic of Kiwi leisure, history, and adventure.

The reform acknowledges that regulations should be proportionate to actual risk and respectful of how New Zealanders choose to enjoy their vehicles.

What's Next? Broader Reform on the Horizon

Minister Bishop also confirmed that the Government isn’t stopping here. The Land Transport Rules Reform Programme is currently reviewing WoF/CoF inspection requirements for other light vehicles, such as modern daily drivers and newer cars.

“We’ll have more to say soon about broader vehicle inspection reforms,” Bishop hinted. “Our aim is to ensure the system is fit-for-purpose, efficient, and based on real-world risk—not outdated rules.”

As technology improves vehicle reliability and as driver behavior evolves, the Government is exploring ways to strike the right balance between safety, convenience, and regulatory burden.

A Win for Vehicle Owners and a Step Toward Smarter Regulation

The move to annual inspections is more than just a nod to nostalgia—it’s a rational, data-backed policy shift that reflects the changing landscape of vehicle ownership and use in New Zealand.

With this change coming into effect from 1 September, vintage car lovers and motorhome adventurers have one more reason to hit the road—this time, with less paperwork.