“Three times my partner re-sits practical test and I recommend you guys to take dash cam to prove your test experience. When I check a number of mistakes I agree with some, but some looks like nitpicking really. And I recommend to shoot your test on video, because I'm not sure about the objectivity of the assessment, and this can be disputed.”
“My car failed a VTNZ brake check, noting "Front brake pads too thin". This is less than 200KM after a registered dealer Service passed the pads in the MVI as being 4mm (Which is 40% remaining of pad). VTNZ then stated "this is just a visual check and if I can get the dealer to verify they are 4mm ( Which they kindly did) they would sign the warrant off as passed. VTNZ Consistency and Customer service during this whole situation was appalling.”
“Took my vehicle to VTNZ this Thursday morning (8am), lady on the desk was very friendly and Russell who did my warrant was very friendly and cheerful and check only took half hour. There were two other vehicles in front of mine, and they didn't take long either. A BIG Thank you to the Silverdale team for great service all round.”
“Took my car in today and the time on my Visa receipt is 11.24am. It took over an hour for my car to go through. I left there at 12.30pm. Unbelievable! When I asked the guy who drove my car back to me why, he had no explanation and at first was surprised that it took so long. Disgusting service. Going somewhere else next time. Sunnybrae Rd branch, avoid at all costs!”
“Poor description on 2 separate vehicles that on first instance led to additional costs as further work had to be done.
Body shop repairer advised they would take the vehicle down to be passed the second time as they were so unhappy with VTNZ Highbrook. The guy was literally raging and saying he was fed up with them as it wasn’t the first time and VTNZ weren’t doing their job properly
Took second vehicle to Botany VTNZ and same again, really poor description of the fail, so generic it covered a quarter of the car and nearly led to additional cost for the same reason.
Repair shop also advised that another area of fail was again so poorly described they had to check out the whole suspension as not sure which ball joint to check.
It appears VTNZ use such poorly trained and skilled inspectors that they are not able to properly describe a fail or are giving such generic answers as they are not sure it is a fail.
Reading other complaints on this site leads me think it is the latter and the inspectors don’t have skills to properly assess whether something is a fail leaving it to the repairer to assess. This leads to the risk of repairers billing for work that is not actually needed.
Am making formal complaint to NZTA and suggest all who have the same issue do like wise as this is the only way things change. VTNZ response has been completely unhelpful, displaying zero care or interest.
DO NOT USE VTNZ Botany or Highbrook. Wof complaint fail Dekra”
“Went to VTNZ Westgate. Failed car on Left supension sub frame loose. When I took it to a MTA place to get fixed they said nothing needs to be tigthened as where VTNZ have marked to be fixed is if the car maybe to be set up as a left had drive. Depending on the country it was going too. Nothing required. I was charged $57.50 for their error. When I approached them the ladys at the front desk did not want know about it. When asked for manager said he is in Fiji. I contacted call centre where helpful. They escilated it back to Auckland where the guy handling it said at first they will pay it back and that he would check if they need my bank acount number. I then got a calll form him being agro saying they will not be paying it back now. He was provking an agrument and when I said you all appear incompetent . I asked to speak to his manager but he would not do that and then he hung up . First their macanic or inspector made a mistake. The two ladies on customer service could not care less and the guy that phoned and emailed me is incompetent. They sent me an email fobbing it off. I would not recommend paying $72.00 for unskilled WOF check and then having to pay an additional amount for VTNZ s error. They appear very aggorant, rude and badly traiined.”
“VTNZ north shore.
As of today, they have failed 3 restricted tests for reasons that are out of my control. The second test failed me for lack of head checks so I emphasised it even more dramatically and perfected everything on my third attempt. I even made eye contact with the lady in the mirror at one point. She then proceeds to tell me I did no head checks and I almost laughed out of disbelief and utter shock. This company is the worst to do your driver's test and truly just a money-making business from kids. I wish new Zealand could fix this system and have other alternatives other than vtnz.”
“I went to vtnz yesterday for a wof. Why on earth have vtnz removed the handle from the door? One would imagine that people who turn up for your services are not contagious with anything. Your over the top negative treatment of customers is very offensive and I won't be back”
“VTNZ Archers Rd Glenfield.
I will never go back. Disgusting treatment from the inspection staff. OFFICE STAFF LOVELY SND HELPFUL.
Inspection staff very grumpy, treated me as if I was a leper. Not spoken to just hand signals to indicate what to do.
Would not engage in any pleasantries or conversations.
I wanted to ask about my tyres as I know 2 should not have passed the warrant, as I had been into Discount tyres To have them checked 6 weeks prior. Was told by DT that 2 would need replacing for a warrant.
A Facebook post has said the same at other branches of VTNZ.
VTNZ. Pull your customer service socks up!
Never going back to VTNZ.
$72 will be invested in a more caring business that could do with the money!”
“I went in for my driving test and got failed for reasons out of my control. Money hungry liars. When I questioned him he stayed silent and had no response to my completely valid questions asking “would you have done what I had” he told me to rebook. Im going somewhere else.”
“Vtnz 19 heads road treat there customers appallingly. I was physically ushered out of the office by manager Wayne steele for showing my valid mask exemption as I tried to politely ask why they won't accept it. Very intimidating experience - officious unfriendly culture taking advantage of rules to bully and belittle people”
“The worst company to get your driving test with. Crooks and liars. Also Greg O'Connor the head of VTNZ has petitioned against an extension for warrants during lockdown. A selfish man with a self serving, money hungry business.”
“So far I have had issues with 2 different WOF testing stations,
First time they missed my brake being so damaged, that my brake pad fell out of my car whilst I was driving - and this second time, the failed me on 2 issues, which weren't actually the problem, 1 I did not fix and it passed the second time, 1 issue they attributed to the wrong part of the car, meaning they could have cost me $$ to fix something that was not wrong, and would have failed me again anyways, I will never be going back to them due to such incompetence at multiple different stations. Very sad day as I had been going to them on and off for years.”
