PETALING JAYA: Just days after driving a used car off the lot, Nathan’s (not his real name) nightmare began.
The retiree, in his 70s, had bought the eight-year-old vehicle jointly with his daughter four years ago, paying just over RM20,000 through a personal loan she secured.
He thought his public transport woes were over – until the air-conditioning failed within hours.
Days later, an engine oil leak appeared, followed by more defects until the car broke down entirely.
“Repairs at a local workshop cost more than RM4,000, but problems kept piling up,” he said.
When Nathan brought it to the manufacturer’s official service centre, he was stunned by a repair quote of over RM22,000 – more than the car’s purchase price.
The used car dealer refused to take responsibility, so Nathan lodged a police report, contacted authorities and filed a case with the Consumer Tribunal.
The tribunal, however, ruled in favour of the dealer.
Nathan said he often warns others to avoid buying from used car dealers after his bitter experience – one that two of his friends went through just months later.
Debbie, another buyer, faced a similar ordeal.
She paid about RM30,000 in cash for a used car, only for it to break down two weeks later.
The seller ignored her requests for repairs, and at the manufacturer’s service centre she was told it would cost over RM20,000 to replace the gear transmission and other parts.
To make matters worse, the seller never provided her with receipts or key documents despite promising to post them.
Debbie later discovered that the warranty insurance she bought from the seller covered only up to RM3,000 in repairs.
