Yet another WoF inspector relieved of duty
Here we go again. Another Auckland-based vehicle inspector is in hot water.
Inspector Stephen Upson and his organisation Sunnybrae Auto Services have both been suspended after Upson was found to have let two unauthorised people carry out Warrant of Fitness inspections.
He also failed to correctly identify issues with a vehicle’s brakes, exhaust and steering. Further, Sunnybrae Auto Services was found to have vehicle testing equipment which was either overdue for maintenance or broken. A total of 747 ‘tested’ vehicles are affected.
"We are unaware of specific concerns relating to individual vehicles. However, due to the poor quality of Mr Upson’s inspections, there is a possibility that some vehicles may have been incorrectly passed," said the NZTA in a statement.
"For this reason, we strongly encourage people who have a current WOF issued by Sunnybrae Auto Services to get their vehicle rechecked."
WOF inspectors suspended this year:
- August - Dargaville Diesel Specialists suspended, as well as inspectors Rodney Wilson and Brent Nurse - 1956 vehicle owners contacted to get WOFs rechecked.
- October - Orient Motors, and Dong Xiao Lin and Yong Xiang Feng - 3494 vehicle owners affected.
- October - Aaron Grand, Te Aroha Automotive - 613 vehicle owners.
- November - Westland Mechanical and Tyres, and Akram Zakeri, in Henderson - 3721 vehicle owners.
- November - Susantha Ranatunga (who works at Church Street Motors and Tyres), in Onehunga - 4053 vehicle owners.
- November - Jet Tyres and Wheel Alignment, and Anderson Lee - 993 vehicle owners.
- December - El's Auto Services, and Elia Sipaia, in East Tamaki - 3783 vehicle owners.
- December - Super Cheap Tyres & Auto Services, and Patrick Ah Wong, in St Johns, Auckland - 2443 vehicle owners.
- December - Beemac Motors in Tokoroa, and Brian McEvoy - 1316 vehicle owners.
- December - Sunnybrae Auto Services, and Stephen Upson - 747 vehicle owners.
The total number of vehicle owners urged to get WOFs rechecked (using TA vouchers) is now 23,119.
