Wednesday, October 17, 2012

State Car Emblem....

Lately, many cars on the road attach state emblem on plate number either front or rear.Honestly, i do not know if it is legal/approved by JPJ/PDRM. Based on my understanding, there are some organization`s emblem (PDRM/JPJ/KASTAM) and VIP`s organization such as Ahli Majlis Dato`-Dato` attach the emblem on their car. Of course la, Mercedes Benz , BMW, Porsche not Kancil or Nissan Lite Ace....hehehehe. What is the real reason the VIP attach the emblem? My opinion, they want to be recognized by others or to be treated as they entitled to.

Some say JPJ did not approve as they claim it is considered as an alteration of standard plate number. Some say they (PDRM/JPJ) will only take action if attach fake emblem without certificate paper. But if use state emblem, nothing wrong?? I am really lost here. BUT, i want to attach the state emblem too..hahahahaha...

Of course la, Terengganu state emblem la....

There are many type of emblem. The lowest grade is normal paper sticker. I bought one about RM30 at Dengkil. Epoxy type and gold color..hehehe. Look like  a good quality and sort of state emblem VIP..hahaha (koya jadi VIP!!)..wakaka





Look like VIP!?? hahahahah.. no lah..just proud to be Terengganu-ian...

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Guidance Buying Re-Cond Car in Malaysia (non-technical)

Sharing based on my own experiences and observation in importing my lovely Alphard from abroad (Japan) to Malaysia recently.

Car Documentation In Japan

Syaken - similar to our car registeration certificate granted by JPJ once the car is registered for the first time to be used on the road legally.
Informations in the syaken
1)   Month and year of car manufactured
2)   Car technical details - chasis/engine number, cubic capacity
3)   Ownership - owner, address of owner
4)   Date/month/year of car to be used on the road legally for the first time.
5)   Mileage of the car when syaken is renewed

FYI, new syaken is given when
1)  Car inspection due (2years basis) - like Puspakom allow the car to be on the road 2 years & after that need to be inspected again.
2)   Ownership transfer

My Alphard is given two syaken during my time in Japan. Of course, being ownership transfer & when i bought the Alphard, syaken only remains one year. So need to re-new syaken once already due.
In syaken - there will be indicated the mileage when compulsory inspection is done. Must ask the dealer to see the copy of syaken to confirm the details in case suspect that year of manufacturing (YOM) and mileage are not genuine. If the dealer shows the so called original syaken (not copy), he must be lie to you!! Why? Syaken will be returned to Japan Authority before importing abroad. No way the importer hold the original car syaken.

Jibaiseki - car insurance
Syaken is granted with jibaiseki. Jibaiseki are not to be collected by Japan Authority. The importer could be/not hold the jibaiseki. For private AP, yes, we must hold the original jibaiseki to be submitted to MITI for AP approval.

Masyou - import car registeration
This document is very important. When syaken is collected, Japan Authority will granted the masyou to the importer. The importer must have masyou to enable car to be bring into Malaysia. Ask dealer to see the original masyou!! They must have it. The info on the masyou much likely in the syaken. Mileage,YOM,chasis/engine number.

If suspect the info on the documents are not genuine. Take note of chasis number to confirm the YOM. Can check via online for Toyota models only. Just key-in the chasis number. The website as below:

www.toyodiy.com

From this site, info that can be know are:
1)   YOM
2)   Model of car (as for Alphard - AX,MX,AS,MS,MZ,MZG,Hybrid)
3)   Toyota Part Number (all parts)


When doing my conversion project back in Japan DIY, i compared what is the differences between PFL and NFL in term of parts and ordered them at Toyota Dealer Part in Hamamatsu-shi.

Car Dealer Tactics!!!

Imported low spec and convert them into higher spec look alike/sportier which will bring more value (>RM10K) on market. If they use all original OEM parts, its can be accepted. But mostly, they will use non-original parts (FRP bumper), cheap fog lamp and tell the potential buyer that this car is in their original condition. We can confirm through this site. If an Alphard look alike AS model but check it through website it is actually lower spec, AX, the car is not in its original condition.


Mileage - cannot be trusted at all. Most of the recond car in Malaysia come with so called low mileage (<40K km). Are you really trust the dealers? In Japan, Alphard AX 2004 (like mine) with 32K km mileage was sold at JPY1,300,000. Same YOM another Alphard AX 2004 clocked at 120K km is sold at JPY450,000. Why must they buy the higher one? The odometer mileage can be set to whatever mileage they want to!! In fact, in Japan, there are services are provided by non-Toyota to reset the mileage priced at JPY5,000!!In Malaysia also they must got the device.