PETALING JAYA: Always request a detailed written quotation from workshops before agreeing to vehicle repairs, says the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca).
Its secretary-general T. Saravanan said this way, customers will know exactly what needed to be done, with a breakdown of the cost, parts, labour and other additional charges.
“Workshops should be able to explain the purpose of each repair and the potential risks of not proceeding.
“Keeping proper documentation, including quotations and receipts, are equally important in the event of disputes later on,” he said.
He said Fomca receives complaints on overcharged repairs at workshops constantly with most cases involving smaller workshops.
“At the same time, such cases are not easy to resolve, so there’s a need to refer them to the consumers tribunal for further action,” he said.
Among the main reasons such issues persist is because most customers do not have the technical know-how to assess whether a repair is genuinely required, which creates room for certain parties to take advantage.
“While many workshops provide honest services, there are still cases where consumers are charged for unnecessary replacements, inflated labour or overlapping repairs.”
The red flags to look out for include when customers are pressured to approve repairs immediately without sufficient explanation and when quotations are vague and lack itemised details.
“Be alert if multiple additional repairs are suddenly recommended, and not related to the original issue.
“Another is when the workshop is unwilling to show or return replaced parts upon request.
“Recognising these signs can help customers avoid being subjected to unnecessary costs,” he added.
Eric Yong, a workshop operator in Klang, advised motorists to maintain clear communication throughout the repair process.
“Ask the technicians to regularly update you on the car’s condition and provide photos before any parts are replaced.
“This allows customers to better understand which components are genuinely damaged,” he added.
However, Yong said not every recommendation to replace multiple parts should be viewed as an attempt to overcharge.
“In some cases, mechanics recommend replacing an entire system to prevent repeated breakdowns and higher costs in the future,” he said.
