Safety at risk from hidden hazards of mileage tampering

The Star

2 days ago

PETALING JAYA: Rolling back a car's mileage cheats buyers and hides wear that can compromise road safety, say experts.
Universiti Putra Malaysia's Assoc Prof Dr Law Teik Hua warned that tampering can delay critical maintenance on brakes, timing belts and safety systems.
'Sudden failures like brake loss, bursting tyres or engine failure can occur.
'At high speeds, the consequences can be disastrous,' said Law, who heads the Road Safety Research Centre.
He noted that suspension, steering and transmission parts have usage limits, and 'if not serviced promptly, their operation in emergencies will be at risk'.
Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations legal adviser Datuk Indrani Thuraisingham said complaints spike during periods of high used-car demand, though many go unreported.
Consumers can seek redress under the Consumer Protection Act 1999, Penal Code and Hire Purchase Act 1967, or file a claim at the Tribunal for Consumer Claims for up to RM50,000.
She urged a standalone law against odometer tampering and advised buyers to get a Puspakom report, verify service records, 'buy only from licensed dealers and demand a written declaration of mileage authenticity'.
Road Safety Council of Malay­sia's Datuk Suret Singh said a car averages 12,000km–15,000km a year, and structural integrity declines after 15 years.
He recommends buyers pay RM10 to the Road Transport Depart­ment for the vehicle's history.
Carsome chief business officer Aaron Kee said mileage accuracy is central to trust, with their 175-point inspection designed to detect tampering.
Cross-checks include insurance claims, service history and diagnostic data.
'Around 25,000km annually is normal for most cars, while continental models average about 15,000km,' he said, adding that unusually low readings warrant scrutiny.
'Signs of wear on the brake pedal, steering wheel and driver's seat can indicate use,' he said.