How much do you trust the mileage displayed on a used car?

It sounds like a straightforward question, but a fresh dispute involving Malaysian automotive content creator and used-car dealer Bro Wong and vehicle-history platform SCRUT has once again dragged the uncomfortable issue of odometer adjustment into the spotlight.

The latest development centres on a Letter of Demand (LOD) issued on behalf of Bro Wong, whose real name is Wong Jia Thai, to SCRUT Technology Sdn. Bhd. over a publication involving one of his videos discussing practices within the used-car industry.

At the centre of the dispute is how Bro Wong's comments concerning vehicle mileage adjustment were presented and interpreted.

But beyond the disagreement between the two parties lies a much bigger question for Malaysian car buyers: is "adjusting" the mileage on used cars really considered normal in the local industry?

So What Happened Between Bro Wong And SCRUT?

SCRUT had previously shared and commented on a video involving Bro Wong's remarks about mileage adjustment in the used-car trade.

In its own commentary, SCRUT criticised what it characterised as the suggestion that mileage could be adjusted "sikit-sikit", arguing that altering a vehicle's mileage and presenting it to a buyer would be misleading.

Bro Wong's side, however, disputes that portrayal.

In other words, it would be inaccurate for us to simply state that Bro Wong said "adjust mileage sikit-sikit is okay" as an undisputed fact.

That is SCRUT's interpretation of the remarks. Bro Wong's LOD challenges the portrayal and context surrounding them.

And because the matter now involves a legal dispute between the parties, both positions need to be clearly separated from the broader issue we can independently examine: mileage manipulation itself.

Interestingly, Bro Wong Had Raised The Issue Before

This is not the first time Bro Wong's name has been connected to the topic of odometer tampering.

Back in August 2025, The Star reported on a video by Bro Wong in which he alleged that at least 70% of used-car dealers tampered with odometers, describing mileage manipulation as widespread within the local used-car trade.

Carz.com.my also covered those claims at the time, including his allegation that dealers could purchase high-mileage vehicles more cheaply, reduce the displayed mileage and subsequently sell them at a higher price.

That distinction matters.

Saying mileage manipulation exists is one thing. Saying that almost every used car or dealer is involved would require considerably stronger evidence.

Odometer Tampering Is Not Just An Internet Talking Point

There is evidence that Malaysian consumers are encountering the problem in real transactions.

In August 2026, the Tribunal for Consumer Claims Malaysia (TTPM) told The Star that falsification or tampering of odometer records to misrepresent mileage was among the recurring issues involving used-car purchases.

The tribunal recorded 1,622 cases involving vehicle purchases and automotive services between 2020 and mid-2026, with awards totalling more than RM3.9 million.

Importantly, those 1,622 cases were not all odometer cases. The figure covers various vehicle purchase and automotive service disputes, including mechanical defects, ownership-transfer problems, hidden vehicle histories and other complaints.

TTPM nevertheless specifically identified falsified or tampered mileage records as one of the recurring issues affecting used-car buyers. Cases involving forgery and fraud may also be referred to the police for further action.

Consumer groups have raised similar concerns.

The National Consumer Complaint Centre, working with FOMCA, has previously highlighted complaints involving vehicles sold with tampered odometers, hidden accident histories and inaccurate maintenance records.

Why Does A Few Thousand Kilometres Even Matter?

Because mileage is not just a number on the instrument cluster.

It can influence a car's market value, perceived condition, maintenance requirements and even a buyer's willingness to purchase it.

Imagine two identical used cars. One displays 70,000 km while another displays 170,000 km. Assuming everything else appears equal, which one do you think most buyers would pay more for?

That difference is exactly why an inaccurate mileage reading can materially affect a transaction.

Higher-mileage vehicles may also be approaching major maintenance intervals involving components such as timing systems, suspension parts, fluids, bearings and other wear items.

If buyers believe the vehicle has travelled substantially less than it actually has, they may unknowingly postpone maintenance that should already have been carried out.

So Is Mileage Adjustment Illegal In Malaysia?

This is where things become less straightforward than they arguably should be.

Carz previously examined this issue in 2023 and noted the absence at the time of a specific Malaysian law dealing solely with odometer tampering in the same way some overseas jurisdictions do.

Read: Opinion: Should Malaysia Apply Stricter Odometer Tampering Laws?

What has become clearer through consumer cases is that misrepresenting a vehicle's mileage can form part of a wider consumer dispute involving false information, forgery or fraud.

TTPM says consumers can bring vehicle-related disputes before the tribunal, while cases involving forgery and fraud may be referred to the police.

We would therefore be cautious about reducing the issue to a simple statement that "adjusting mileage is legal" or "illegal" without considering the circumstances, the representation made to the buyer and the relevant laws that may apply.

The more useful question may be whether Malaysia needs clearer, dedicated rules specifically addressing odometer manipulation.

Should Malaysia Introduce Tougher Rules?

Carz raised precisely this question back in 2023.

A dedicated framework could potentially make several things clearer: what constitutes unlawful odometer manipulation, who is responsible when a vehicle passes through several owners or dealers, what records sellers must disclose, and what penalties apply when mileage is intentionally altered to mislead a buyer.

There is also a broader transparency question.

If mileage forms such an important part of a used vehicle's advertised value, should buyers have easier access to a verified historical mileage trail before completing a purchase?

Such records could potentially come from authorised service centres, inspection records, manufacturer databases, auction records or independent vehicle-history providers where information is available.

SCRUT, for example, says its reports can include historical mileage information where records exist, although the company itself cautions that it cannot guarantee a vehicle's current mileage once it has left the point where that historical mileage was recorded.

In other words, no single report should replace proper due diligence.

And No, Not Every Used Car Has "Adjusted" Mileage

This is perhaps the most important point to make.

The existence of odometer tampering does not mean every used car in Malaysia has had its mileage changed, nor does it justify treating every used-car dealer as dishonest.

What the available evidence does show is that mileage manipulation is a real enough problem to have appeared repeatedly in consumer complaints, tribunal disputes and industry discussions.

And when the number displayed on an odometer can influence thousands of ringgit in vehicle value, there is a legitimate public-interest question over whether buyers currently have enough protection.

The dispute involving Bro Wong and SCRUT may be what brought the conversation back into the spotlight.

But ultimately, this is bigger than either party.