Used car dealer ordered to reimburse RM310 to buyer

A housewife wants a used car dealer, who failed to deliver a vehicle, to reimburse the RM310 she had paid for a new registration number.

On Aug 1 last year, Ira Dwiyanti Jumari (pic), 46, went to a used car dealer in Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, Johor Baru, at around 6pm to buy a second- hand sport utility vehicle (SUV).

The claimant and her husband decided to buy a red 2020 model SUV for RM91,000 after test driving the vehicle.

However, one of the company salesmen told her that she had to get a new registration number for the vehicle as the owner wanted to retain its licence plate.

Ira Dwiyanti went to the Road Transport Department (JPJ) in Taman Daya, Johor Baru on Aug 2, 2023 at 10am and paid RM310 to buy a new registration number for the vehicle with 50,000km mileage.

The claimant forwarded a copy of the JPJ receipt to the dealer but the salesman told her that she had to wait at least three to four weeks before they could deliver the vehicle to her.

“I told him that I could not wait that long as the bank had approved the loan for the vehicle,” said Ira Dwiyanti.

She said the salesman should have informed her about the delay before she bought the new number plate from JPJ.

The claimant wanted the dealer to reimburse the RM310 she paid to JPJ, as the new number plate was registered under the owner of the second-hand SUV.

But the dealer refused.

“I want my money back because the dealer should be held accountable for failing to honour his word,” said Ira Dwiyanti.

The claimant said the episode was a blessing in disguise as she found a similar red 2020 model SUV with 39,000km mileage for RM83,000 from another used car dealer in Skudai.

Tribunal president Mohd Zahirullah Mohd Taib ordered the respondent, who did not attend the hearing, to return RM310 to the claimant within two weeks.

He said the tribunal had given the respondent three chances to attend and give their side of the story on Oct 22, 2023, Dec 10, 2023 and Jan 1, 2024, but they did not show up.

Those who need assistance in regard to Tribunal matters can call 07-227 1755/ 1766. — By ZAZALI MUSA