Claimants and respondents waiting for their turn to be heard at the Johor Baru Consumers Claims Tribunal in Menara Ansar recently.
JOHOR BARU: A businessman ended up forking out more money to modify his car as the first modification job failed to satisfy him.
Claimant Muhammad Rizal Abu Samah sent his Proton Waja car to a workshop operating from a home to increase the speed of the car in early June, 2020.
He said the initial estimate by the mechanic, who is also the owner of the workshop, was about RM5,500.
The 28-year-old said the amount went up to almost RM8,000 as there were other parts, which needed to be replaced as the job progressed.
“As agreed with the owner- mechanic, I paid him the money as and when he needed to replace spare parts or components,” said Rizal when met at the Johor Baru Consumer Claims Tribunal at Menara Ansar.
The claimant ended up paying RM7,650 to the owner-mechanic but was not satisfied with the modification as it did not meet expectations.
“Some of the parts used were of low quality, not original and did not meet the specifications for the job,” said Rizal.
He said among the spare parts were intercooler, fuel regulator, turbo injector, fuel ignition control and fuel rail, steel elbow and steel pipe.
The claimant said the owner- mechanic also took a long time to finish the job so he decided to take the car back on Sept 29 last year.
Rizal said he went to two different workshops to get quotations and was quoted lower at RM7,097 and RM7,468, respectively.
“However, both workshops declined to do the job,” he said.
Rizal said he had to fork out another RM10,350 to have his car modified at another workshop, bringing the total amount to RM18,000.
The respondent said the claimant had paid RM7,650 to him, adding he then spent RM7,946 on the spare parts minus labour charges.
“I have been running the workshop on a part-time basis as I have a full-time job,’’ he said.
The respondent said the claimant was also aware that he only did this job at night and on weekends and the issue of a delay in completing the job should not arise.
“I was also tested positive for Covid-19, hospitalised and underwent a month’s quarantine,’’ he added.
“He should not have taken the car back but given me time to finish the job.”
Tribunal president R. Nadarajan asked the claimant whether the Road Transport Department (JPJ) allowed a car owner to modify his or her car to increase its speed.
Rizal claimed it was allowed as long as the original engine of the car which bore the chassis engine number was not changed.
“You need to get permission from JPJ to change the engine and the colour of your car, which is different from the colour stated in your car ownership grant,’’ he said.
Nadarajan ordered the respondent to return RM1,764 to the claimant within 14 days and rejected the RM7,583 claimed by Rizal.
Those who need assistance with regard to consumer claims can call 07-227 2828.
