But the cabin owner disputes the police claim. Sergeant Kevin Davidson, of Mosgiel, said police had established the trailer carrying the cabin in Mosgiel on January 31 had a broken safety pin attaching the trailer to the tow bar of the ute.
The runaway trailer veered to the left, away from oncoming traffic, hit the veranda of Headway Design salon and came to rest in vacant car parks.
"It’s believed this pin broke shortly before the driver turned into Factory Rd and the trailer came free and rolled into the shop front," Sgt Davidson said.
The trailer’s most recent Wof expired in October 2015, Snr Sgt Davidson said.
"This is concerning and while no-one has been arrested or charged at this stage, inquiries into the matter are ongoing."
Just Cabins Dunedin owner Adam Stewart said the trailer had a Wof and a Just Cabins staff member gave police details of a "redundant" trailer, which had been stolen.
The correct Wof information was given to police last week, he said.
When contacted yesterday, Sgt Davidson stood by his statement that the trailer had no Wof when it crashed into the salon.
NZ Transport Agency spokesman Andrew Knackstedt said each trailer with a cabin was treated as a separate vehicle.
Consequently, each trailer needed an individual registration and Wof.
However, if any trailer was on private land and not being used on a public road it did not need a Wof or registration.
A WorkSafe spokesman said as the crash was on a public road rather than a workplace it was not subject to a WorkSafe investigation.
