Why are working car doors important to your safety?
In order to maximise safety and comply with New Zealand’s Warrant of Fitness requirements, your car doors should be secure, fully working, and free of rust and corrosion. An unstable door can affect your vehicle’s safety by coming loose as you are driving. A door that is stuck can also create huge safety risks in the event of an emergency where the driver/passenger needs to quickly exit the vehicle.
Causes of failed Warrant of Fitness (WOF) for car doors:
Rust inside the doors can cause problems such as the door not opening or closing.
There are several different safety issues that can lead to your car’s doors failing a Warrant of Fitness. These include:
- Rusty or damaged door hinges – Over time, rust or prolonged use can lead to weakened door hinges. When this happens, replacement is recommended. In order to pass a Warrant of Fitness, a door’s hinges must be securely attached to both the door and the body of the car.
Fixes for car door hinges in Hamilton - Car door stuck shut – All of your car’s doors should be able to easily open and close in the event of an emergency. If one or more doors are stuck shut, your car will fail a Warrant of Fitness. This problem is usually caused by issues with the door’s latch. However, the child lock may also cause issues.
Fixes for door stuck shut in Hamilton - Car door won’t stay closed – Problems with the latch can also lead to your car door not closing correctly. As you can imagine, this can lead to potentially unsafe driving conditions, especially at high speeds.
- High levels of corrosion/rust – Rust can weaken your car’s doors and their components. If your door has rust, you may notice pitting as well as bubbles in the paint. In severe cases, the area affected by the corrosion damage may fall out and leave a hole.
- Visible damage – Damage to the door can compromise its structural integrity, making it less effective in the event of an accident. Sometimes, a panelbeater’s report will be necessary to ensure the door meets New Zealand’s safety standards.
- Door sagging or misaligned – If your door appears to be sagging or misaligned, it can cause problems with the latch mechanism, making it difficult to open or close. It can also compromise the structural integrity of the car, which can be dangerous in the event of an accident.
Learn more about car door WOF requirements
Are your car doors not locking/unlocking properly?
Eventually, the locking mechanisms can fail inside your door, leading to it not locking or unlocking correctly. When this happens, the part(s) inside your door will need replacement. At Grimmer Motors, our mechanics can fix these issues, allowing your door to function correctly again.
Door handles – both inside and outside handles must work
In order to pass a Warrant of Fitness, every door handle on your car must work correctly – both the outside handle and the handle on the inside of the door. If a passenger cannot open their door from the inside, or an outer handle is broken or jammed, your car will fail its Warrant of Fitness. Handle problems are often caused by a snapped linkage inside the door, a worn mechanism, or a build-up of dirt and grime over years of use. At Grimmer Motors, our mechanics can repair or replace faulty door handles, restoring smooth and reliable operation.
Worn or perished door seals
Door seals are the rubber strips around your door openings that keep water, draughts and road noise out of the cabin. Over time, these rubbers can perish, crack or come loose, letting water into the vehicle. If a WOF inspector notices perished door rubbers or water tracks inside the door, the seals will need to be repaired or replaced. Fresh, good-quality door seals keep your interior dry, reduce road noise and help prevent the damp, musty smell caused by wet carpet.
Car Door Replacement & WOF Work in Hamilton
Have you failed a Warrant of Fitness due to problems with your car’s doors? If so, we can help! At Grimmer Motors, our team of skilled mechanics can replace hinges, latches and car door panels themselves. If necessary, we can source and install a replacement door that matches your old one.
Once the issues with your door are fixed, your doors will function correctly and safely and be able to pass a Warrant of Fitness.
For car door servicing and new parts in Hamilton, contact Grimmer Motors today!