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.