Almost 4000 people will need their warrants of fitness checked as the Transport Agency suspends another Auckland vehicle inspector.
Photo: 123RF
The agency served a suspension notice on Elia Sipaia and his company El's Auto Services in the suburb of East Tamaki on Tuesday afternoon.
Mr Sipaia has a long history of non-compliance, including rushed inspections and failing to identify problems with brakes, seatbelts and corrosion, the agency said.
The agency said some vehicles may have been wrongly given warrants and it plans to contact all the affected owners.
"The NZTA will contact all 3,783 affected vehicle owners individually as soon as possible to advise them on recheck options. Vouchers will be provided.
"We are unaware of specific concerns relating to individual vehicles, however, due to the poor quality of Mr Sipaia's inspections there is a possibility that some vehicles may have been incorrectly passed. For this reason we strongly encourage people who have a current Warrant of Fitness issued by Mr Sipaia and El's Auto Service to get their vehicle rechecked."
It brings the total number of people affected by dodgy inspections to more than 18,000.
At the end of November, Westland Automotive and Tyre in Auckland was suspended and its director Akram Zakeri stood down as a vehicle inspector, for failing to check brakes, seatbelts, steering and exhaust systems.
The law firm Meredith Connell has been appointed to manage the agency's road safety compliance after the the agency admitted failing to enforce the rules for years and the government ordered a review.
Drivers can have their vehicles re-checked free of charge