Bad experience at car workshop for couple

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, October 20, 2026

A Johor Baru couple won a consumer tribunal claim against a Kluang workshop after unsatisfactory and delayed repairs on their 30-year-old car, including faulty engine work and an inflated bill. The tribunal ordered the workshop to refund RM6,000, highlighting the importance of legal recourse for consumers facing similar disputes.

A couple from Johor Baru has won a consumer tribunal claim after experiencing unsatisfactory car repairs at a workshop in Kluang, Johor. Zamri Jamien, 37, a factory technician, represented his wife, Siti Hajar Ahmad, 36, in the dispute over the restoration of their 30-year-old vehicle.

The couple sent their five-door car to the workshop on October 29, 2025, for an engine overhaul and paint job. Initially, they were quoted RM6,000 for the work and told the vehicle would be ready within a month. Zamri, who works in Singapore, paid RM3,000 on October 10 and the remaining RM3,000 on November 7.

Despite the timeline given, nearly a year passed without the car being completed. During this period, the couple, who reside in Gelang Patah, Johor Baru, made multiple trips to the workshop to check on the progress. According to Zamri, the workshop owner offered repeated excuses but failed to provide any concrete assurances on the completion date.

Frustrated with the delays and poor communication, the couple retrieved their vehicle on September 4, 2026. Upon inspection, they found several issues including engine sputtering, malfunctioning speedometer and fuel gauge, and a leaking air-conditioning system that failed to cool properly. Zamri also expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of the paint job.

Further complicating matters, the workshop later issued a bill for RM13,000, a figure significantly higher than the original quote. Zamri maintained that some of the repair work reflected in the bill had not been agreed upon.

The Johor Consumer Claims Tribunal reviewed the case, with tribunal president Hafez Zalkapli ordering the workshop to refund RM6,000 to the couple within two weeks. The tribunal encourages consumers facing similar issues to seek assistance by contacting them at 07-227 1755/1766 or visiting their office at Level 17, Menara Ansar, Jalan Trus, Johor Baru. The office operates Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding public holidays in Johor and at the federal level.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.