Puspakom Suspends Walk-In Inspections

Puspakom CEO Mahmood Razak Bahman announced that walk-in vehicle inspections, including reinspections for vehicles that previously failed, have been suspended. The decision was made to uphold service quality and prevent overworking Puspakom's vehicle examiners (VEs).
“We don’t want our VEs to be overworked and inefficient,” Mahmood said in a statement today.

“Some of our bigger branches are already closing later than 10pm, which is later than we would like. Ending walk-in inspections will help us maintain standards and allow our staff to get proper rest.”

Mahmood stated that the suspension would make it more difficult to get an appointment, especially in the Klang Valley. Puspakom is assessing its capacity and operational hours, but any extension will depend on the availability of qualified vehicle examiners.

He advised car owners to plan ahead and take advantage of the road transport department's 14-day early inspection window.

“If your permit expires on March 31, you can get inspected as early as March 18. If your vehicle fails, you still have 13 days for a reinspection. Waiting until the last day is risky,” he added. According to Mahmood, car owners who find it difficult to schedule appointments for their mandatory vehicle inspections can opt for Puspakom's mobile inspection service. This service, as highlighted by Mahmood, offers a convenient alternative but comes at an additional cost.
“We understand the frustrations, but we are doing this to ensure a fair and efficient process. We appreciate the public’s patience as we work to improve our services,” he said.

Puspakom, established by the Malaysian government in 1994, is the country's sole provider of comprehensive national vehicle inspection services for both commercial and private vehicles.

However, the government recently ended Puspakom's 30-year monopoly by selecting three companies to provide motor vehicle inspection services.  According to Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook, this decision aligns with a March 2023 Cabinet decision to open mandatory vehicle inspections to qualified firms to increase competition and provide customers with more options.