Cooler rides ahead for carpark operator
A carpark operator is hoping that a panel workshop of a used car dealer will be able to fix the air-conditioning of his compact crossover SUV before Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Shamsudin Harun said it had been uncomfortable driving the vehicle, with its faulty air-conditioning system, for over three months.

“The mechanic fixed the air-conditioning unit several times but it is still not functioning,” he said when met outside the Johor Baru Consumer Claims Tribunal at Menara Ansar.

On July 31 last year, Shamsudin, 50, from Taman Mutiara Rini, went to a used car dealer in Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, Skudai, Johor Baru, to buy a car.

After looking around, the claimant chose an American 2001 model SUV, which was priced at RM30,000, after a test drive.

Shamsudin made the first payment of RM1,000 on July 31, 2023, followed by RM500 on Aug 18, 2023.

He then made the following payment of RM3,000 on Aug 29, 2023 and RM500 on Oct 16, 2023.

“I also made an advance payment of RM1,000 on Aug 29, last year, bringing the total amount paid to RM6,000,’’ he said.

The claimant took a RM24,000 loan to be paid over 60 months from the company.

Shamsudin signed the hire purchase agreement on Sept 29, 2023, and drove the SUV back home but its engine suddenly stopped at a traffic light junction.

“That was when my nightmares started and I’ve kept count – the vehicle has stopped more than 15 times because of a faulty engine,” he said.

The claimant said prior to handing over the vehicle to him, the dealer promised that it would be in good condition as it would be sent to the workshop to rectify any problems it might have.

Shamsudin said despite sending the SUV to the dealer’s panel workshop in Taman Bukit Indah, they could not detect the engine problem.

“I have no choice but to send the vehicle to another workshop and fork out my own money to have the engine fixed, including replacing its parts and components,’’ he said.

The claimant said while the engine problems were finally fixed, the vehicle’s air-conditioning system became faulty and the dealer’s panel workshop in Taman Perling could not rectify the problem.

“I’m not going to pay to have the air-conditioning fixed, as it is the dealer’s responsibility,’’ he added.

Shamsudin wanted RM8,420, including the RM6,000 paid earlier and RM2,420 for the cost of fixing the engine.

The respondent who attended the hearing said the claimant should have left the vehicle at the Taman Bukit Indah workshop to have its engine repaired.

“But he did not do that and we could not inspect the engine,’’ said the respondent.

Tribunal president Lee Chee Thim dismissed the claims by the claimant but ordered the respondent to fix the vehicle’s air-conditioning problems within two weeks.

Those who need assistance in regard to Tribunal matters can call 07-227 1755/1766.
SUV,Faulty engine,Used car dealer,Johor Baru Consumer Claims Tribunal,President Lee Chee Thim
A carpark operator is hoping that a panel workshop of a used car dealer will be able to fix the air-conditioning of his compact crossover SUV before Hari Raya Aidilfitri.