The NZ Transport Agency has suspended Westland Mechanical and Tyre Limited‘s (trading as Westland Automotive and Tyre) appointment as an inspecting organisation.

The Auckland based business‘ sole director and shareholder, Akram Zakeri, has also been immediately suspended as a vehicle inspector.

The suspension notices were served last Friday afternoon.

This follows concerns about Zakeri‘s failure to check some aspects of vehicles during warrant of fitness assessments, such as brakes, seatbelts, steering and exhaust systems.

The NZTA say they are unaware of specific concerns relating to individual vehicles, however, due to the poor quality of Zakeri‘s inspections, there is a possibility that some vehicles may have been incorrectly passed. For this reason they strongly encourage people who have a current Warrant of Fitness from Westland Mechanical and Tyre Limited to get their vehicle rechecked.

The NZ Transport Agency will contact all 3721 affected vehicle owners individually as soon as possible to advise them on recheck options.

A further update will be provided this week on this particular suspension.