About Us
In 2004 Tom saw an opportunity for an independent locally owned and operated drive through Warrant of Fitness testing facility offering a level of service not available previously in Dunedin.
It was not long before a suitable site was found and the demolition of the old Mansons Mower Building in Hillside Road began and 4 months later on 6th April 2005 the Dunedin Warrant of Fitness Centre Limited opened for business with a staff of 4 inspectors and one receptionist.
The key factors separating the Dunedin Warrant of Fitness Centre from other drive through testing facilities was the Company Policy of fixing minor repairs on the spot.
Failing to get a warrant because of minor faults often causes repeated visits. “No-one minds being rejected for a major safety thing, but minor faults can create a lot of frustration.” Staff at the Dunedin Warrant of Fitness Centre can make minor WOF repairs on site, saving clients valuable time and avoiding the frustration of having to go back and forth to get a warrant. With this positive attitude each year the business has grown from strength to strength with 9 inspectors on the lanes and 2 full time mechanics in the repair workshop area together with office support staff. The team at the Dunedin Warrant of Fitness Centre has spent most of their working lives within the motor industry. This is a comforting thought for motorists dropping off their vehicles for assessment and inspection. All the inspectors at the Centre are NZ Transport Agency approved.
If a problem can’t be fixed on the spot customers can return at a suitable time to get their vehicle repaired in the Dunedin Warrant of Fitness workshop. The workshop compliments the WOF testing lanes. The 2 full time mechanics work closely with the Inspectors ensuring that the Warrant of Fitness is issued and the vehicle is ready to drive away when the customer returns. Alternatively there is a comfortable waiting area for customers who can watch staff working in the lanes through large glass windows or relax with some magazines or watch television until their vehicle is ready.
A very popular service offered by our workshop is our “Lube Service” with a quality check on the vehicle. Customers phone for an appointment and often choose to wait in our comfortable friendly waiting area.
Customers are also able to benefit through a loyalty card system where they get a free warrant. The Dunedin Warrant of Fitness Centre accepts competitors discount vouchers so customers can get the best service in town while still getting any discount offered.
Another key component of the business is the provision of a dedicated recheck lane for people returning to have their vehicle re-inspected. “People don’t have to sit in the same lane as people waiting for a WOF. People don’t like to have to come back for the fear of having to wait in line”. In a drive through environment it is important to keep things moving without compromising service and of course endeavouring to deliver consistent WOF checks. “We are going to give consistent checks. We don’t want to be pedantic, but we won’t turn a blind eye to things. We just want to make getting a warrant stress-free and easy”.
Other companies may feel that fixing minor repairs on the spot is a conflict of interest. But not so – Clients – especially families with children and people with more than one vehicle – claim it makes life easier to not have to make time to come back. Customers appreciate staff doing the small things to get the warrant. It has to be done anyway, so why not do it right the first time. “It makes everyone happy in the long run, they get a warrant and we have a happy and relaxed customer – Everyone wins”.
Happy clients abound. Since opening at 371 Hillside Road the number of warrants issued has steadily climbed. “We try to do what we can to make the process of getting a warrant as easy as possible because it can be pretty emotive for customers”. Customer feedback applauds not only the nature of the service given but the friendly atmosphere, the offering of extra services and a willingness on the part of the staff to go that extra mile to get a warrant issued and the loyalty programme offering free warrants.
The Dunedin Warrant of Fitness Centre has the latest testing equipment, including two two-tonne automatic hoists and brake machines.
