Car repairs often come with unexpected costs, and for many vehicle owners, the shock of a high bill can lead to frustration and confusion.
When essential car parts are discontinued or in limited supply, the price of repairs can skyrocket—sometimes creating misunderstandings between customers and workshops.
This exact scenario recently unfolded when a viral post alleged that a local workshop overcharged a customer for a Viva power steering rack, sparking a wave of online criticism.
Mechanic clarifies: Why the Viva steering rack costs RM3,200
To address these claims, the workshop’s mechanic, Muhammad Zulfaqqar, stepped forward to explain the situation.
According to him, the steep price was due to the discontinuation of the Viva power steering rack by Perodua, making the part rare and significantly more expensive than when it was readily available.
He clarified that the original part’s scarcity had driven up its cost, a factor that is beyond the workshop’s control.
As Zulfaqqar explained, “The original Viva power steering rack is expensive because Perodua has stopped producing it. They’ve switched vendors, and very few of these racks were made,”
Zulfaqqar further elaborated that the workshop no longer keeps the part in stock and any orders for the original Viva steering rack must be placed directly with Perodua, requiring a deposit from the customer.
“The price is high, and we no longer keep stock. If someone wants a new one, we have to order it from Perodua, and the owner must make a deposit.”
This added to the cost and explained why the price had reached RM3,200, a figure that took many by surprise.
Workshop shares receipts and customer agreement
In a post dated October 3, Zulfaqqar shared the official receipt from Perodua on his Facebook account, showing the genuine price of the part.
He emphasised that the customer had agreed to the charges, which included the original steering rack.
The viral post, however, led to widespread accusations that the workshop had intentionally inflated the price from a few hundred ringgit to thousands—a claim Zulfaqqar vehemently denied.
Misleading comparisons: Original vs. lower-quality spare parts
He also expressed frustration over comparisons made by some netizens, who pointed to cheaper, lower-quality spare parts or half-cut alternatives.
“It’s unfair to compare the price of an original, high-quality component with non-genuine parts,” Zulfaqqar added.
With documentation and receipts in hand, Zulfaqqar hopes to clear the air and highlight the genuine challenges that come with sourcing rare, discontinued parts.
Despite the viral backlash, he remains committed to defending the workshop’s reputation and providing clarity for future customers who may encounter similar situations.
