First, a bit of background is needed: Prior to Repair Certification (if needed) the vehicle will go through a border check (imported vehicles only), and entry certification inspection.
- Border inspection – carried out either in New Zealand or overseas by approved vehicle inspection organisations. When a border inspection identifies damage to a vehicle, the vehicle is flagged as damaged.
For information on the Border Inspection criteria for reporting damaged vehicles, click here.
- Entry Certification – carried out by an Entry Certifier who inspects the vehicle, and if they suspect it needs (or has previously had) repairs to the vehicle’s structure, systems, or components, they refer the vehicle to a Repair Certifier for assessment.
Note: A vehicle usually goes to an Entry Certifier before a Repair Certifier. However, a vehicle may be taken to a Repair Certifier first (usually this happens if the vehicle is undergoing a full restoration, needs extensive repairs, and/or parts may be difficult to source, which could take longer than the entry/repair quarantine period would allow for). Once the repair certification process is finished, the vehicle will go to an Entry Certifier.
A vehicle cannot be put into quarantine prior to being inspected for entry certification.
For information on when an Entry Certifier must refer a vehicle to a Repair Certifier for assessment, click here
For more information about entry certification, click here.
3 Repair Certification – the Entry Certifier will notify the vehicle owner and write it on the Compliance Certification Checksheet (also referred to as a ‘fail sheet’) if the vehicle requires assessment by a Repair Certifier.
Contact your local Repair Certifier before any work commences.
Initially, the Repair Certifier will inspect the whole vehicle to assess if it needs (or has previously had) repairs to the vehicle’s structure, systems, or components, to determine what is required to restore the vehicle to within a safe tolerance of the state of the vehicle when manufactured. This inspection may uncover additional issues not listed on the Entry Certifier’s Checksheet, which could require further rectification and inspections as part of the repair certification process.
If the Repair Certifier determines the vehicle does not require repair certification (i.e., the damage/previous repairs identified by the Entry Certifier are minor, and do not require any corrective repairs), they will issue an LT307 (No Repair Certification Required Declaration – Light Vehicle), which is given to the vehicle owner or Entry Certifier, to progress the entry certification process.
For any previous repairs, the Repair Certifier may require components and coatings to be removed to enable a more in-depth inspection to assess the full extent and quality of the repairs.
The Repair Certifier will provide written repair instructions, which are to be given to a repairer (who must be approved by the Repair Certifier) before any work begins (the Repair Certifier cannot carry out any repairs themselves other than minor rectifications up to a total value of $500).
Further inspections of the vehicle will be required once the repairs are underway (failing to involve the Repair Certifier throughout the repair process may result in costly rework being required, or an incomplete repair certification). The Repair Certifier may carry out multiple inspections if needed, and may also ask for supporting evidence such as:
- a wheel alignment report
- a three-dimensional measuring report
- an ABS/SRS declaration (and any other declarations that are required)
- any other reports requested by the Repair Certifier depending on the extent of damage or repairs.
Final Inspection – once repairs are complete, the Repair Certifier will assess whether they have been carried out as instructed and all documents have been provided.
If the Repair Certifier is satisfied with the completed repairs and associated documentation, the Repair Certifier may issue the LT308 (a copy of the LT308 will be given to the vehicle owner or Entry Certifier to progress entry certification).
