RM25,000 car repair claim is thrown out
Published on: Wed, Jun 25, 2025
By: Crystal E Hermenegildus Text Size: According to the facts of the case, the claimant, Mohd Khaireez Abd Aziz, had sent his Toyota Hilux Vigo to the respondent, Henry Chong Vui Loong of Mercury Auto Service Centre, for an overhaul service on Nov 15, 2022. Kota Kinabalu: The Consumer Claims Tribunal has rejected a claim of RM25,000 filed by a vehicle owner over dissatisfaction with car repair services. Tribunal President Salmi Zalinah Abdul Rahim said the repeated mechanical issues were not caused by negligence but by external factors beyond the repair shop's control. She made the decision after evaluating witness statements, photos, WhatsApp conversations and supporting documents submitted by both parties. According to the facts of the case, the claimant, Mohd Khaireez Abd Aziz, had sent his Toyota Hilux Vigo to the respondent, Henry Chong Vui Loong of Mercury Auto Service Centre, for an overhaul service on Nov 15, 2022. The repairs were completed on Dec 22, 2023, with the claimant making a full payment of RM11,608 before collecting the vehicle. However, on April 15, 2024, the claimant discovered an oil leak in the engine and returned the vehicle to the respondent's workshop on April 17, 2024.
Advertisement The respondent diagnosed a turbo failure and a quotation of RM12,460 for the repair was later issued and paid for by the claimant on Nov 27, 2024. On March 25, 2025, the claimant once again noticed an oil leak and brought the vehicle back to the workshop. Dissatisfied with the repeated issues, the claimant demanded a refund of RM25,000 and the return of several car parts allegedly disposed of without his consent, including the turbo and intercooler. However, Salmi found that the repairs had been discussed and agreed upon by both parties, including the cost estimates and replacement parts. The claimant had even expressed satisfaction during the process, as evidenced by messages such as 'puas hati, bro' and 'good job.' Salmi also said that the respondent had carried out some repairs free of charge and had advised the claimant against driving practices such as racing or high-revving, which could have contributed to the recurring damage. Furthermore, she said the timeline between each breakdown suggested the damage was not directly related to the initial repairs. 'In this case, the damage has been proven by the respondent to be due to external factors and not negligence on their part,' said Salmi. 'The respondent had made multiple repair efforts, at times at their own expense.' * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
11 hours ago
- The Sun
M'sian says second-hand cars are underrated
A post on r/kereta has gone viral after a Redditor argued that second-hand cars are 'underrated' and often the smarter choice compared to buying brand new. The user, RandomRed189273, wrote: 'Buying a second-hand car is almost always the smarter move. And you shouldn't always associate a used car with being crappy or poor. 'Buying a second-hand car is almost always the smarter move. Depreciation kills new car value — you're letting someone else eat that huge initial cost. Even with renovations and maintenance, you'll still pay less than the original price.' ALSO READ: Second-hand car: Man endures nightmare as cost of servicing is more than vehicle's valuation He added that quality shouldn't be overlooked just because the car is used. 'A high-value car doesn't suddenly become trash because it's second-hand. For example, you might find a used Lexus for RM40,000, while the same amount would only get you a new Myvi. Who's with me?' The post quickly gained traction, sparking a lively discussion among Malaysians about whether used cars are a better deal than brand new vehicles. 'I'm mechanically savvy, so a used car is all the rage with me. To me it's worth it — but to my wife, not so much,' said Superb_Ratio6484. READ MORE: Russian expat exposes Malaysian used car dealership scam Tigger_35 raised a key concern: 'The question is, do you have RM40k cash lying around? Or even RM20k? Plus spare cash to fix the car?' piol91 noted that repairs aren't always as costly as people think: 'Even cars around 5–10k may not cost much to fix up. As long as processing fees aren't ridiculous, it's fine.' Weary-Category-9249 highlighted risks for pricier models: 'Not valid for RM40k+ cars. Wear and tear will cost a lot more. Better to buy new.'
New Straits Times
19 hours ago
- New Straits Times
RHB rolls out Malaysia's first flexi redraw vehicle financing plan
KUALA LUMPUR: RHB Banking Group has launched the RHB Vehicle Financing-i (Variable Rate) Flexi Redraw, a first-of-its-kind offering in Malaysia that provides motorists with greater flexibility in managing their car financing commitments. The new product comes at a time when Malaysians are grappling with fluctuating living costs and dynamic interest and profit rate environments, with demand growing for financial solutions that provide adaptability in long-term commitments such as vehicle loans and financing. Unlike traditional vehicle financing that often locks consumers into fixed monthly instalments with little room for cost reduction or access to liquidity, the Flexi Redraw introduces a more responsive mechanism. At its core, the product allows hirers to make additional payments beyond scheduled instalments, directly reducing profit charges on the outstanding financing amount. This creates an opportunity for borrowers to lower their total financing cost over the tenure, a departure from standard fixed-payment structures. The "Flexi Redraw" element adds further agility by enabling customers to withdraw accumulated excess payments when the need arises. This feature provides an integrated liquidity buffer within the financing arrangement, reducing reliance on alternative and often costlier short-term borrowing during financial exigencies. RHB Banking Group managing director of group community banking Jeffrey Ng Eow Oo said consumers are increasingly seeking financial solutions that offer both savings and flexibility. "Our latest financing enhancement is designed to help our customers take control of their financial future by reducing overall costs while ensuring they have access to additional funds when needed," he added. Meanwhile, in partnership with Volvo Car Malaysia, the Flexi Redraw is also available under Volvo Car Financial Services, offering buyers an additional financing option for their new Volvo cars. Volvo Car Malaysia sales director Chris Tan said the company is grateful to have RHB Banking Group as its long-standing financing partner for Volvo Car Financial Services, whose products have given its customers the flexibility of variable rates. "The new Flexi Redraw option is an excellent value-add for customers seeking the safety, luxury, comfort and performance of our latest electrified cars without compromising their financial security," he said. The financing facility is open to individuals aged 18 to 65 as well as businesses, covering new, unregistered, reconditioned and used vehicles, with a minimum financing amount of RM80,000. Profit charge discounts on excess payments are capped at 50 per cent of the total original financing amount, while withdrawals are subject to a minimum of RM2,000 and in multiples of RM1,000, with a small fee. For Malaysian motorists, the Flexi Redraw offers several key advantages, including potential cost savings from reduced profit charges, access to liquidity through the redraw feature, and greater control in managing long-term financial commitments.
The Sun
21 hours ago
- The Sun
'Buying a second-hand car is almost always the smarter move' - M'sian says second-hand cars are underrated
A post on r/kereta has gone viral after a Redditor argued that second-hand cars are 'underrated' and often the smarter choice compared to buying brand new. The user, RandomRed189273, wrote: 'Buying a second-hand car is almost always the smarter move. And you shouldn't always associate a used car with being crappy or poor. 'Buying a second-hand car is almost always the smarter move. Depreciation kills new car value — you're letting someone else eat that huge initial cost. Even with renovations and maintenance, you'll still pay less than the original price.' He added that quality shouldn't be overlooked just because the car is used. 'A high-value car doesn't suddenly become trash because it's second-hand. For example, you might find a used Lexus for RM40,000, while the same amount would only get you a new Myvi. Who's with me?' The post quickly gained traction, sparking a lively discussion among Malaysians about whether used cars are a better deal than brand new vehicles. 'I'm mechanically savvy, so a used car is all the rage with me. To me it's worth it — but to my wife, not so much,' said Superb_Ratio6484. Tigger_35 raised a key concern: 'The question is, do you have RM40k cash lying around? Or even RM20k? Plus spare cash to fix the car?' piol91 noted that repairs aren't always as costly as people think: 'Even cars around 5–10k may not cost much to fix up. As long as processing fees aren't ridiculous, it's fine.' Weary-Category-9249 highlighted risks for pricier models: 'Not valid for RM40k+ cars. Wear and tear will cost a lot more. Better to buy new.'
