The desire to drive a branded, modern car is common among young Malaysians, but not everyone can keep up when circumstances change and financial commitments become heavier.
Recently, a video went viral on TikTok showing a Malaysian man parting ways with his Honda City Hatchback after he was no longer able to keep up with the monthly repayments.
The clip, posted by TikTok user @afiqcarmotor, shows the owner arriving in the Honda City before leaving by LRT. According to Afiq, the man had used the car for three years before deciding to surrender it.
Tried to sell, but still needed to “top up”
The owner initially intended to sell the vehicle, but despite selling it, he would still need to cover the remaining loan balance.
To avoid being blacklisted by the bank, he handed the car over to Afiq, who assists in managing hire-purchase vehicles and finding new buyers to continue the instalments.
Afiq, who is based in Shah Alam, explained in his caption:
The owner wanted to sell the car but needed to top up the outstanding loan. To avoid getting blacklisted, he handed it to me.”
Mixed reactions from netizens
The video sparked a wave of discussion in the comments section. Some users expressed interest in taking over the monthly payments, while others warned against the risks of “sambung bayar” (loan take-over) arrangements.
Several commenters raised concerns that the original owner could reclaim the car once the loan is fully settled, a scenario that has led to disputes in the past.
Others reminded young buyers to “measure their own means” and avoid overspending on new vehicles solely for branding or image.
“Sambung bayar” is illegal in Malaysia
While the practice is widely advertised online, authorities have repeatedly warned that “sambung bayar” transactions are illegal.
According to the police, the Hire-Purchase Act 1987 allows action to be taken against anyone who sells or transfers a hire-purchase vehicle without the bank’s consent.
Since the bank remains the legal owner until the loan is fully paid, such arrangements can result in legal consequences for both parties.
Watch the video here:
