Only deregistered vehicles can be disposed of

By the Editorial Team · Friday, October 9, 2026

The Malaysia Automotive Recyclers Association warns that legitimate recyclers cannot legally take possession of abandoned or wrecked vehicles unless the owners have formally deregistered them with the Road Transport Department. This requirement complicates the removal and recycling of such vehicles, as unresolved ownership and administrative issues must be cleared before deregistration can occur.

PETALING JAYA — Legitimate car recyclers face significant challenges in taking possession of abandoned or wrecked vehicles found in public spaces if the owners have not formally deregistered the vehicles, according to the Malaysia Automotive Recyclers Association (MARA).

Cho Chee Seng, vice-president of MARA, emphasized that even severely damaged or apparently abandoned vehicles should not be assumed to have been scrapped. He explained that inactive vehicles may still be under the ownership of an individual or company, possibly awaiting repairs, dismantling, or sale, or simply left idle for various reasons.

Cho highlighted the importance of formally deregistering vehicles with the Road Transport Department (JPJ) before they are scrapped or recycled. This process officially ends the owner's legal responsibility for the vehicle and helps prevent the misuse of the vehicle's identity.

There are two methods for deregistration. Vehicle owners can use JPJ’s e-Dereg system via an Authorised Automotive Treatment Facility (AATF) or complete the process manually by visiting any JPJ branch.

To successfully deregister a vehicle, it must have a valid record and no outstanding blacklists, caveats, or unresolved issues involving JPJ, the police, or the Customs Department. Additionally, there should be no active ownership claims such as an ongoing hire-purchase loan, and all administrative matters related to the vehicle, including road tax status, must be up to date.

Without proper deregistration, recyclers cannot legally take possession of these vehicles, which complicates the removal of abandoned cars from public areas and hinders efforts to recycle end-of-life vehicles in compliance with regulatory standards.

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