Ask an expert

Hi

I just had a fail on a WOF test because someone at some point has removed the rear door lock poppers, so you can't unlock the rear doors from the inside.

The NZTA website says the doors must be able to be opened from the inside, which you can if the door isn't locked (door latches work fine) so in effect if the door is locked it is like the child safety locks are engaged. The previous owner had kids and the car doesn't have child locks from factory, so I assume this was a cheap child lock work around. The central locking locks and unlocks the doors instead.

Is this correct as a fail?

Hi there,
You are correct, the NZTA wof rules say nothing about how the door is locked/unlocked but that the door must open and close easily and be able to open from the inside.
So I wouldn't think this should be a failure item as none of the reasons for rejection apply.
https://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.nz/virms/in-service-wof-and-cof/general/entrance-and-exit/door-and-hinged-panel-retention-systems

Hi Cade,

Thank you for the reply, yes I had been looking at the NZTA WOF rules in the link you provided and had assumed the same as you state.

Interesting to note that I've had multiple WOF tests on the car, including several at this testing station, and it hasn't been an issue before. I'll go back to them on the fail.