The Star : 16 October 2006

 The Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom) has proposed to the Government to make it mandatory for all used cars to be inspected by the company prior to transfer of ownership

Puspakom Chief Executive Officer Salamat Wahit said the company, through its voluntary inspection programme for used cars, had found that many potong kereta (used cars with cannibalised parts) were sold and used on the road. 

The inspection programme is carried out in collaboration with finance companies. 

He said that in 2004 Puspakom detected about 2,000 used cars with cannibalised parts and with tampered chassis numbers. Last year, that figure increased to about 4,000. 

Between January and September this year, it had already detected about 5,000 such cars. 

“The figure is alarming. Because of that we have approached the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and recommended to them that used cars be screened to determine whether they are fitted with genuine parts and components before the transfer of ownership is done,” he said. 

Under the Road Transport Act, cannibalised parts are deemed illegal, and cars found fitted with such components on the structural part of the floor and roof can be sealed and their registrations cancelled by the JPJ. 

Currently, only commercial vehicles are required to undergo mandatory inspection. 

Salamat said only banks offering car loans had made it compulsory for buyers to have the used cars inspected by Puspakom prior to ownership transfer. 

“If a car is found to be a potong kereta, the finance company will not approve the loan,” he said. 

However, he said such a requirement by the banks only covered 80% of used cars in the market or only applied to those taking loans to buy second-hand cars. – Bernama