Three vehicle owners in Petaling Jaya have shared their experiences with deteriorating cars that were left idle and eventually abandoned without formal deregistration, highlighting a common issue with aging or unwanted vehicles becoming street eyesores.

Abdul Rahman Abdullah, a 55-year-old technician, purchased a classic car about 25 years ago because it was the same model driven by his father. Initially a nostalgic project, the vehicle required costly repairs that eventually exceeded his budget. “My mechanic left it parked nearby, where it deteriorated badly before I sold it for a few hundred ringgit for spare parts,” Abdul Rahman said.

Similarly, Richard Albert, 65 and retired, held onto his first car for nearly 25 years with plans to restore it and pass it to his son. However, after his son moved abroad and the car battery died, Albert left the vehicle parked opposite his home for about a decade. Exposure to weather conditions led to significant damage to the upholstery and paint, and the car became infested with insects and rodents. He eventually sold it for RM500 three years ago.

For delivery rider Azman Mohd Azam, 35, the situation was complicated by theft and neglect. After his car’s engine seized, he intended to save for a replacement but left the vehicle unused for more than five years. During this period, thieves stripped some parts from the car. The vehicle disappeared one day without explanation. “I thought the local council had towed it away, but checks showed that was not the case. To this day, I have no idea where it is,” Azman said, noting he did not file a police report because the car was already in poor condition.

All three owners acknowledged receiving notices from local councils instructing them to remove the vehicles but were unaware that formal deregistration was required to legally dispose of or cease ownership of these cars. The cases underscore challenges faced by vehicle owners and local authorities in managing aging or abandoned cars in residential areas.