Hello Katie, Thanks for visiting for your most recent Warrant of Fitness (WoF). We want to give you some extra information in this WoFWizard report to help you understand why your vehicle failed, what you could do next and give you some ideas around potential costs. As a friendly reminder, as your vehicle has failed it's WoF, you cannot legally drive it except to take it for repairs, or to get your WoF recheck, and you should only drive it if it is safe to do so. Key for repair cost estimates: Quick Fix Usually under $200 Regular Repairs Between $200 and $1,000 Serious Work Usually over $1,000 Vehicle: 1998 NISSAN PULSAR Plate: ABC123 (this is not a real registration number) Odometer: 350,321 km (as recorded) Here’s an example of your report Welcome to WoFWizard 1) Rear suspension bump stops broken (left and right) (Left And Right Suspension Bump Stop Broken Rear) Severity: Cost category: Why: About this part: Recommendation: Minor to Major – safe for short local trips but should be fixed soon to avoid further suspension damage. Quick fixes (estimate: $180–$260, ~1.0–1.5 hrs, mainly parts with a small amount of labour) The rear suspension bump stops are damaged on both sides, so they can’t do their job of stopping the suspension from hitting metal-to-metal on big bumps. Under the VIRM “Suspension” section, any suspension component that is missing, insecure or deteriorated to the point it no longer works as designed must fail. Broken bump stops can lead to harsh bottoming-out and extra stress on shocks and mounts. Bump stops are small rubber blocks that limit suspension travel and protect the shock absorbers and chassis when you hit potholes or carry heavy loads. When they’re broken, you can get knocking noises and more shock transmitted into the body of the car. Replace both rear bump stops as a pair. This is a straightforward job and can usually be done at the same time as other rear suspension work to save time. 2) Power steering hose leaking (lower) (Lower Power Steering Hose Leaking) Severity: Cost category: Why: About this part: Recommendation: Urgent – steering-related leak; if it worsens you can lose power assist and steering control, so only drive to and from repairs. Regular repairs (estimate: $320–$650, ~1.5–3 hrs, mix of parts and labour; hose price and access drive the cost) The lower power steering hose is leaking fluid. The VIRM “Steering and suspension – Steering systems” section requires that hydraulic steering systems are free from leaks that could lead to loss of steering control or contamination of other components. A leaking hose can quickly lose fluid, making the steering heavy or unpredictable, and can also pose a fire risk if fluid contacts hot exhaust parts. The power steering hoses carry high pressure fluid between the pump, steering rack and reservoir. They allow you to steer with much less effort. When they leak, the system can run low on fluid, damage the pump and rack, and make the steering suddenly very heavy – especially dangerous at low speed or when parking in tight spots. Replace the leaking hose assembly, top up with the correct power steering fluid, then bleed the system. We’ll wash down the area and re-check for any further leaks once repaired. Avoid long trips until this is sorted. Failures: 3) Power steering pipe wet/leaking (upper, right) (Upper Power Steering Pipe Wet Right) Severity: Cost category: Why: About this part: Recommendation: Urgent – part of the same steering leak issue; treat as a safety repair and limit driving to repair trips only. Regular repairs (estimate: $260–$520, ~1–2.5 hrs, mainly parts plus some labour; may be combined with the lower hose repair) The upper power steering pipe is wet with fluid, indicating an active or developing leak. Under the VIRM “Steering systems” requirements, hydraulic steering components must be secure and free from leaks that affect performance or safety. This leak adds to the risk of sudden loss of power assist and contamination of nearby components (including rubber bushes and electrical parts). Power steering pipes (hard lines) route fluid around the engine bay. Over time they can rust, crack, or leak at joints. Because they often run near hot or moving parts, even a small leak can quickly get worse or spray fluid where you don’t want it. Inspect the full power steering circuit and replace the affected pipe and any suspect seals at the same time as the lower hose repair. Doing these together usually saves labour and gives you a reliable, leak free steering system. 4) Left A pillar rust/corrosion (upper and lower structure) (Upper Power Steering Pipe Wet Right) Severity: Cost category: Why: About this part: Recommendation: Major – structural corrosion in a key safety area; should be repaired promptly before it spreads or weakens the cabin in a crash. Serious work (estimate: $900–$1,800+, ~1.5–3 days including welding and paint; mostly labour and panel work, plus materials) The left A pillar (the vertical pillar beside the windscreen and front door) has both developing rust and more advanced corrosion in the structural area. The VIRM “Structure – Corrosion” section requires that structural members, especially around the windscreen and door hinges, are free from significant rust that reduces strength. Corrosion here affects the strength of the cabin in a frontal or side impact and can also affect how the door and seatbelt anchors behave in a crash. The A pillar is a primary structural part of the body shell. It supports the roof, helps keep the cabin intact in a rollover or front/side impact, and is close to the seatbelt and door mountings. Rust in this area is more serious than cosmetic surface rust on outer panels, because it affects crash protection and how the windscreen is held in place. Have a panelbeater or structural repair specialist cut out all affected rust, weld in sound metal, treat the inside cavity, and refinish the area properly (primer, seam sealer, paint). We recommend getting a written quote, as the final cost can vary depending on how much hidden corrosion is found once trims are removed. 5) Rear service brake imbalance (axle 2) (Brakes Imbalance Axle 2) Severity: Cost category: Why: About this part: Recommendation: Urgent – braking uneven side to side on the rear axle can cause the car to pull or step out under braking; do not delay repairs. Regular repairs (estimate: $280–$650, ~1.5–3 hrs, mix of parts and labour; exact cost depends on whether drums/shoes/cylinders or discs/pads need replacement) The rear brakes on axle 2 have a 50% difference in braking force side to side, which is over the allowed limit. Under the VIRM “Brakes – Service brake” section, excessive imbalance between wheels on the same axle is a fail because it can cause the vehicle to pull to one side or become unstable during braking, especially in the wet or during emergency stops. The rear brakes share braking work and help keep the car stable. Imbalance can come from seized wheel cylinders, sticking calipers, contaminated shoes/pads, or worn drums/discs. With one side braking harder than the other, the rear of the car can step out or the steering can feel twisted when you brake firmly. Carry out a full rear brake inspection: check and clean hardware, adjust as required, and replace any worn or sticking parts (shoes, pads, wheel cylinders or calipers, drums/discs) in axle pairs. Finish with a brake fluid check/bleed and a re-test on the brake machine to confirm balanced braking. • Radiator support panel – surface rust developing on left and right; requires attention soon. (VIRM: Structure – corrosion not yet advanced enough to fail but should be treated before it worsens.) • CV boots – outer constant velocity (CV) boots split on left and right. This can lead to CV joint wear if grease escapes or water/dirt gets in; repair before it becomes a fail or causes clicking/knocking. (VIRM: Steering and suspension – drive shafts and CV joints.) • Engine bay firewall – surface rust developing on the left with previous repairs evident. Monitor and treat to prevent structural corrosion. (VIRM: Structure – corrosion.) • Right front seat belt webbing – deteriorating. Still passing now, but if fraying or damage worsens it will fail. (VIRM: Seatbelts and seatbelt anchorages.) • Oil level – checked and OK at time of inspection. What this means: The WOF has failed mainly due to steering leaks, a rear brake imbalance, structural rust at the left A pillar, and broken rear bump stops. The steering and brake issues are the most urgent for your personal safety, as they affect how well the car stops and steers, especially in an emergency. The A pillar corrosion is a structural safety concern that should be repaired properly by a panelbeater. The other items (surface rust, CV boots, and seatbelt wear) are not yet fails but are heading that way and are best dealt with while the car is in for repairs. All fail items must be repaired and rechecked within 28 days; if any details like the plate number are different from your records, please let us know so we can update them with the next inspection. Recheck: Your free re-check is due by 09/06/2025. Other notes from the inspector (not fails yet):