Smoky exhaust means no WOF

Cars and other vehicles will not be given warrants of fitness in future if they have smoky exhaust fumes.

Land Transport New Zealand has introduced a draft rule that if a vehicle's exhaust emits clearly visible, dense smoke for five seconds or more after it has been warmed up, it will fail.

The Government heralded the test last year as part of its efforts to improve air quality, and it estimated 10 per cent of vehicles produced 40 per cent of emissions.

But Land Transport director Wayne Donnelly said the new check would affect a smaller number - its studies suggested 2 per cent of New Zealand's nearly four million vehicles emitted visible smoke while idling.

Vehicle Testing chief executive Mike Walsh said he expected the change would affect more than the 2 per cent of vehicles Land Transport had suggested.

"The 2 per cent is data they have got, and I guess we will learn quickly if is right, but I rather suspect it will be higher."

He said guidelines should be clear to help reduce any inconsistencies.

"It is subjective and whenever you do a subjective test, you run the risk of inconsistencies. But it is usually blatantly obvious when there is a stream of smoke coming from the tailpipe."

The visual test was widely viewed as a first phase to get consumers used to emissions testing before the more stringent step of full metering of emissions was introduced.

Metering was rejected by the Government last year after a pilot programme showed it would add between $35 and $60 to the cost of a warrant of fitness test, and test results were inconsistent.

David Vinsen, chief executive of the Independent Motor Vehicle Dealers Association, also approved of the visual test - but warned he would keep an eye on any further steps.

He said the association had taken part in last year's pilot to test equipment for metering emissions and the results had been "all over the place".

"We agree with the need for the visible checks to encourage regular maintenance, get the gross polluters off the road and increase fuel efficiency.

"But we realise this is the thin end of the wedge, to get people used to the idea their vehicles can't belch out smoke.

"Any steps taken by the environmental section of the Ministry of Transport after that must be cost-effective, practical and realistic."

Land Transport spokesman Andy Knackstedt said the visual test was a "first step" and was unlikely to add significantly to the time and cost of an inspection.

He said there had been emission standards for the manufacture of vehicles since 1990, but the only testing of cars once they were on the road were police checks of vehicles which emitted smoke for 10 seconds or more.

About 300 infringement notices were issued each year.

The new testing would have environmental and health benefits, by improving air quality.

* The draft rule is open for public submission until February 24. See it on www.landtransport.govt.nz.