Two-yearly WOFs: what to check on your car between inspections
With two years between WOFs for most cars, small faults have longer to grow. Ten minutes a month covers what an inspector would catch.
October 10, 2026
From 1 November 2026 most cars under 14 years old need a WOF every two years instead of every year. That saves a fee and a trip, but it also means a worn tyre or a blown bulb can go unnoticed for twice as long.
The law hasn't changed on one thing: your car has to be safe to drive every day, not just on WOF day. Mechanics have been saying the same thing since the change was announced. The Motor Trade Association says around 30 to 35% of cars aged 8 to 10 fail on something safety-critical at their WOF.
Here's what's worth a look, roughly once a month, and before any long trip.
When are your WOFs due?
Type your plate to see your next WOF dates and roughly what they'll cost.
Tyres
Tyres are the single biggest safety item, and the fine for bad ones goes up to $350 on 1 November.
- Tread: at least 1.5 mm across the main grooves, all the way round. Most tyres have tread-wear bars in the grooves; if the tread is level with them, it's time.
- Pressure: check them cold, at the pressure on the sticker inside the driver's door. Low tyres wear the edges and use more fuel.
- Damage: bulges, cuts or cords showing on the sidewall mean replace it now.
- Uneven wear: one edge wearing faster than the other usually means the wheel alignment is out.
Lights
Walk round the car with the lights on, or use a shop window at night. Headlights (high and low), indicators front and back, brake lights, tail lights and the number plate light. A blown bulb is the most common WOF fail and the cheapest fix.
Wipers and windscreen
Wipers that smear or chatter should be replaced. A chip in the driver's view can turn into a crack that fails a WOF; many are repairable if you catch them early. Top up the washer bottle.
Under the car
Look at where you usually park. Fresh drips of oil (brown or black), coolant (green, pink or orange) or brake fluid (clear to yellow, slippery) are worth getting looked at.
Brakes
Listen for squealing or grinding, and notice if the pedal feels soft or the car pulls to one side. Don't wait two years on those.
Warning lights
Any light on the dashboard that stays on is the car telling you something. From 1 November, inspectors also check for warning lights on automatic emergency braking and lane keep assist, on cars that have them.
Rust, seatbelts and mirrors
Check the seatbelts pull out and lock when you tug them sharply. Look for rust around the sills, wheel arches and under the doors. Mirrors should be firm and uncracked.
Keep up the servicing
A WOF isn't a service. With fewer inspections, the regular service is the main time a mechanic looks properly at your car. Stick to the service schedule in the handbook, usually every 12 months or 10,000 to 15,000 km.
See how often your car will need a WOF, or find a WOF near you.
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