Motorists to bear cost of testing vehicles

The Star, Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Below: Khoo

PETALING JAYA: Car owners, not car dealers, will bear the costs of Puspakom’s Transfer of Ownership (B5) and Hire-Purchase (B7) inspections, the Federation of Motor and Credit Companies Associations of Malaysia (FMCCAM) said.

Secretary-general Khoo Kah Jin said motorists wanting to sell theirvehicles to used car dealers have to pay for the B5 and B7 inspections first.

“We will evaluate the car according to Puspakom’s inspection results,” he told The Star yesterday.   However, he said the federation remained totally against the B7 inspection costing RM60 which is to be enforced from today, deeming it “an unnecessary cost.”

“The four-point B5 inspection is sufficient to test a vehicle’s roadworthiness. Sellers can always go to a trusted mechanic for additional free professional advice,” he said.

On Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s statement last week that used motorcycles would be exempted from the B7 test due to the small number involved, Khoo questioned why this was the case if safety was the main issue.

Meanwhile, FMCCAM and Gerakan Youth will submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister’s Department and the ministry today requesting to delay the implementation of the B7 inspection.

According to the amended Hire-Purchase Act, motorists wanting to sell their vehicles need to send the cars for a comprehensive 18-point inspection by Puspakom before entering into a hire-purchase agreement.

The inspection will include computerised testing for smoke emission, brakes, side-slip and suspension.
 

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» Puspakom readies for influx with more inspection lanes

Used car dealers protest against new inspection requirement

Used car dealers protest against new inspection requirement


By ISABELLE LAI
SOURCE: http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/6/7/nation/20110607143521&sec=nation


KUALA LUMPUR: Frustrated used car dealers nationwide are protesting against the 18-point inspection requirement that was included in the amendments to the Hire-Purchase Act 1967.

Effective June 15, all used vehicles for sale will need to undergo Puspakom's 18-point inspection (B7).

Federation of Motor and Credit Companies Associations of Malaysia (FMCCAM) secretary-general Khoo Kah Jin said the B7 would incur unnecessary costs for consumers.

He said Puspakom's current four-point inspection (B5) - on the chassis number, engine number, windows and windscreens as well as cut-and-join parts - was sufficient.

"The B7 inspection is unnecessary as the additional 14-point inspection will be based on visual checks which are unreliable," he told reporters during a protest by the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Car Dealers and Credit Companies Association here Tuesday.

Khoo said the new rule would only benefit Puspakom as customers would have to pay an additional RM90 for the B7 inspection on top of the original RM30 for B5.

Another issue of contention was the 1% maximum booking fee mandated by the amendments, which requires used car dealers to refund customers 90% of the booking fee if the deal fell through.

"If we collect RM100 for a RM10,000 car, we will only get to keep RM10 if the customer pulls out at the last minute. This is very unfair," he said.

New Puspakom used cars checks to help reduce crime

New Puspakom checks to help reduce crime 

SOURCE

PETALING JAYA: The requirement for used, reconditioned and modified cars to be approved by Puspakom before they can be sold will help to reduce crime.

Puspakom chief executive officer Hisham Othman said these checks would help it identify vehicles that had been stolen or illegally modified, or had a criminal history.

“Indirectly, it will help the Government fight crime in line with the country’s National Key Result Areas (NKRA) goals.

“The thorough inspection will also help protect finance and insurance companies from losses. It will also raise customer confidence in used-car dealers,” he said.

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaacob had said on Monday that under an amendment to the Hire Purchase Act, used-car dealers and individuals would be required to send their vehicles to Puspakom to ensure that these were roadworthy.

Puspakom will conduct an 18-component inspection that will also help it identify kereta potong (cut-and-join) cars.

Hisham said inspections would be conducted in test lanes using computerised equipment.

“We use both visual and computerised testing to thoroughly inspect the vehicles. This includes testing for side-slip, smoke emissions, brakes and suspension,” he said.

Hisham said presently, Puspakom only conducted an identity check for used-cars to verify the chassis, engine and vehicle registration numbers.

He said although the current charge of RM30 for used-car inspection would go up with the implementation of the rule, the ministry had yet to finalise the new fee.

On tinted windscreens and windows, Hisham said Puspakom had no control over car modifications done after inspections.

“We only inspect vehicles brought into our centres. Any change done to the car after that can’t be controlled by us,” he said.

Puspakom had spent RM20mil to upgrade its inspection centres in preparation for the new regulation, including having new facilities at Taman Bukit Maluri, Batu Caves, Pandan Indah, Petaling Jaya, Seremban, Johor Baru, Juru, Bayan Lepas and Kota Baru.

Its biggest and most modern facility in Section 28, Shah Alam, costing RM14mil is under construction.