Proton X50 And X70 Spare Parts Issue - The Transport Ministry Will Look Into Owner’s Right To repair Outside Of The Official 4S Network

The Selangor and Federal Territory Engineering and Motor Parts Traders' Association (EMPTA) met with the transport ministry to discuss Proton X50 and X70 parts and services.

According to Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong, the association expressed concerns about parts sellers and owners being unable to obtain parts and services to fix or repair X50 and X70 models outside of the Proton network, forcing owners to fix their vehicles at the original maker's 4S facilities. Parts shortages have obviously resulted in delays.

Wee stated in a Facebook post highlighting the meeting with EMPTA that the ministry will investigate whether this action violates any competition rules or limits the right to repair.

It stated that warranty restrictions imposed by automobile manufacturers may prevent or limit competition in the automobile repair and service industry. In terms of servicing, the review stated that exclusionary clauses in new car warranties could potentially limit the market to franchise (3S/4S) or authorised workshops within the car manufacturers' network, limiting consumers' options and preventing competition from independent workshops.

When it comes to accident repairs, the situation is exacerbated. Independent repairers are likely to face barriers that prevent them from repairing new cars that are still under warranty, leaving franchise workshops within the car manufacturers' network as the only option in these cases.

In such instances where consumers choose to send their new cars to an independent workshop, they have been asked to sign indemnity letters stating that the vehicle owner was fully aware that he or she was engaging the services of an independent workshop, and that the entire manufacturer's warranty would be voided as a result. According to MyCC, this could put pressure on vehicle owners to use only authorised network workshops.