As someone in the transport industry, I know many motorists and commercial vehicle owners and operators are jubilant about the recent government announcement on ending Puspakom’s monopoly on vehicle inspections..
They have been waiting for years for the government to right a wrong and infuse the industry with fair play and a competitive policy.
How the UK does it
Allow me to share my knowledge and experience in vehicle inspection.
When I was studying in the UK between 1982 and 1984, I bought a cheap old car, which was all I could afford at the time.
At the point of purchase, I was told the age of the car would not matter so long as it possessed a certificate from the UK ministry of transport (MoT). This was how I discovered that the UK already had a vehicle inspection policy in place.
The inspection was not done at any government-run inspection centre. It was carried out at workshops approved by the MoT, scattered throughout the country. Every small town had a MoT-approved workshop.
The regulation says that MoT certificates are needed for vehicles three years or older. The inspection must be conducted annually by an accredited mechanic on behalf of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (previously known as the driver and vehicle licensing agency).
20-point check
The mechanic or technician will undertake a thorough 20-point inspection of your vehicle and issue you with a list of its failures with recommended rectifications and repairs.
The purpose of the inspection is clear. It is to ensure that the vehicle is in good working order. Any repair or rectification needed may be done at the same workshop, for which the mechanic will quote a price.
Vehicle owners are also free to do their repairs elsewhere and take their vehicles back to the same licensed workshop for re-inspection at no additional fee.
No bribery is involved. Those demanding payment would have their licences revoked and their contracts terminated by the MoT.
These days, the cost of the MoT inspection has gone up from the mere £12 (RM65) that I paid then to £29.65 (RM161) for a motorcycle, more than £54.85 (RM297) for a car and £58.60 (RM296) for a goods vehicle.
I always thought a once-a-year inspection was reasonable and sufficient, compared to the current Malaysian requirement for certification once in six months.
Making use of local workshops
The UK method of vehicle inspection works well even today. It not only eliminates corrupt practices, but also provides additional income to many workshops.
The policy is helpful to all parties, improving the competence of many motor mechanics and ensuring the proper conduct of roadworthiness inspections.
Most important, unlike the monopolistic practice here, it brings additional income to local workshops which spurs the local economy.
Vehicle owners also benefit from the convenience of the process and from not having to deal with bureaucracy.
There are also huge benefits to the motor industry and society at large from the elimination of bribery and other illegal activities in connection with such services.
Meaningless policy
In Malaysia, the transfer of the vehicle inspection unit from JPJ to a private company was treated with suspicion and regarded by many vehicle owners and operators at the time as meaningless.
It was implemented without any regard for, or benefit to, vehicle owners, operators or society.
Another issue is that it does not make any sense at all for vehicle owners to pay an inspection fee every time a vehicle is sold to a new buyer. What added value does that bring to road safety?
It has not improved the state of the motor industry nor widened the competence of local motor mechanics nor provided new training and knowledge to road safety practitioners.
Ending the monopoly on vehicle inspection is long overdue. Cheers to the transport minister for getting it done.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.