Instead, this purchase turned out to be a nightmare for the 53-year-old who works in the private sector.

After he purchased the car, a 2013 model, from a used car dealer, he found out that it had actually done 217,000km in terms of mileage, instead of the 81,000km as shown on the odometer when he first viewed the car.

He discovered this when he sent the car for servicing. He was also informed by the workshop that his car was in a “very poor” condition, contrary to what the used car dealer told him prior to the sale.

“I then found out from the workshop that the car had actually travelled more than 200,000km (as the odometer had been tampered with),” he said.

He added that the used car dealer refused to acknowledge that the company had done anything wrong.

Indrawan said he decided to raise the matter with the consumer claims tribunal, and after going through four hearing sessions, the tribunal court president Azlan Abdul Halim announced on Wednesday that the owner of the used car dealership must pay Indrawan RM5,000 as compensation.

Indrawan said he hoped that the decision will deter used car dealers from trying to profit by altering vehicle odometer readings.

He also hoped that the government will clamp down on such fraudulent practices as he was concerned that they could become more widespread.

“I feel sorry for consumers if that’s the only car they have. Spare parts are not cheap. Not to mention having to pay monthly installments (for the car).

“Customers are being bullied and exploited by such practices.”