How your job is matched to a garage
When a business joins, we note the jobs it takes on and the makes it works on most. A garage that mostly fits tyres isn't the one for a gearbox fault, and one that rarely sees a European car isn't first in line for your Golf. A local mechanic who specialises in your car.
What can you check before work starts?
- The NZBN. Look up the New Zealand Business Number on the searchable NZBN register, for the business that will quote you.
- Insurance. Ask the business whether it's insured, and for what.
- Trade qualifications. Ask who will work on the car and what qualifications they hold. A gearbox and a wiring fault call for different training.
Why isn't there a licence to look up?
Because New Zealand doesn't license mechanics. People usually become automotive technicians through an apprenticeship, and there's no register of mechanics to look someone up on. You won't see us call a mechanic licensed, because there's nothing to hold.
The car sales side is different: people who sell cars register as motor vehicle traders. That register is about selling, not repairing.
And WoF inspectors?
WoF inspections are their own system. The vehicle inspector needs a WoF inspector's training certificate and works for an inspecting organisation, which tells NZTA when an inspector joins or leaves.
There's no public NZTA list of WoF sites to check a garage against, so we never tell you a garage can issue a WoF. Ask the mechanic when they ring.
Who stands behind the repair
We don't inspect the work, sit in on the quote or test drive the car afterwards.
The business stands behind its work. Under the Consumer Guarantees Act a service must be done with reasonable care and skill and be fit for the purpose you asked for. If something goes wrong, the complaints page shows where to take it.