Don't Rush to Bargain When Buying a Used Car. First, Check if the License Plate has Saman. This Step can Save you a lot of Unnecessary Expenses.

In second-hand car transactions, many people focus on the car's condition, price, and features, but overlook an easier-to-miss detail: whether the vehicle still has unresolved traffic fines left by the previous owner.

These unseen hidden costs, known as Saman, often only come to light after the ownership transfer, leading to unnecessary expenses at best and affecting the legal use of the vehicle at worst.

This article will approach the topic from real-life transactions, explaining what Saman is, why it's essential to check, and how to eliminate risks in just three minutes.

[PCauto] A common situation in the second-hand car market is that the car seems fine, and the price is agreed upon, but trouble starts to emerge after the car is taken home.Some people only discover during ownership transfer, vehicle inspections, or insurance processing that there are unresolved traffic fines registered under the vehicle, which were not caused by the new owner.

This issue is not uncommon but continues to occur repeatedly, mainly because many buyers are unaware of the existence of Saman or underestimate its impact.

In Malaysia, Saman refers to traffic fines or penalty tickets, which can originate from the police (PDRM) or the road transport department (JPJ).

Contrary to what some might intuitively think, these fines are often not solely tied to the driver but are linked to the vehicle and license plate. As long as the fines remain unresolved, they will stay in the system and will not automatically disappear when the vehicle changes ownership. This means that the moment you buy the vehicle, the associated risks are transferred to you as the new owner.

It is precisely because of this mechanism that checking Saman has become an indispensable step in second-hand car transactions. If a vehicle has unresolved fines, the new owner may face more than just paying the fines. Some fines accumulate late fees over time, and the amount increases the longer it is delayed; in certain circumstances, it may even affect the vehicle's registration status, annual inspection process, or require on-the-spot resolution during law enforcement checks. What originally seemed like a good deal could unexpectedly lead to additional expenses.

From real transactions, scenarios where people get into trouble are often very similar.

• The seller verbally promises that the vehicle has no issues but does not actively provide a fine record inquiry;
• The buyer, either trusting the seller or being in a hurry to close the deal, does not verify on their own.

When the procedures reach critical stages, unresolved Saman records popping up in the system expose the problem. At this point, trying to hold the previous owner accountable can be quite difficult, involving high time and energy costs.

Fortunately, checking Saman itself is not complicated. As long as you know the method, it can be done in a few minutes. The most traditional and direct way is to check via SMS.

By following the prescribed format, sending the vehicle number plate to a designated number allows you to receive feedback on whether the vehicle has fines and the approximate amount. This approach has a low operation threshold, making it suitable for quick confirmation, but requires SMS fees and may occasionally experience delays in information updates.

For a more comprehensive result, you can use official online platforms or mobile applications, such as MySikap, MyJPJ, or e-SAMAN. These channels provide authorized data, covering records from the PDRM and JPJ, and can provide a more systematic view of unresolved fines.

However, some features may require account registration, and the interface is not user-friendly for those unfamiliar with the system. It is advisable to familiarize yourself with the process in advance when using it.

In addition to official channels, there are third-party platforms in the market, such as MyEG and RILEK, which provide a more intuitive query experience. Some services can organize query results into report formats, making it easier to save or use as evidence in transactions. These platforms have advantages in terms of convenience, but users need to weigh factors such as whether they charge fees and the frequency of data updates.

It should be noted that although Saman is a term used in Malaysia, similar issues exist in other countries. For example, in Australia, different states have their own official systems for fines and vehicle registration inquiries. Through the vehicle registration number, buyers can check fine records, registration status, and related responsibilities.

And Free Rego or PPSR checks can also help confirm whether the vehicle has been stolen, has outstanding debts, or other potential risks. Logically, the core principles are similar; only the query portals and rules differ.

When the query results indicate that there are unresolved Saman for the vehicle, the handling process is not particularly complicated, but timing is very critical. The most prudent approach is to ask the previous owner to resolve all fines and provide corresponding proof before making the payment and signing the agreement.

If both parties agree that the buyer will handle it instead, the amount and responsibilities should be clearly specified in the contract to avoid disputes later. Regardless of the chosen approach, it is not recommended to complete the transfer of ownership before the issue is resolved.

It is also important to be aware that some regions have privacy and authorization restrictions on vehicle information inquiries, so it may not be possible to access all details without authorization. Therefore, during actual transactions, it is best to conduct the inquiries together with the seller in person. This not only increases transparency but also reduces the risks of information asymmetry.

Returning to the matter of buying a second-hand car itself, Saman is not a particularly complex professional concept, but it is one of the most easily overlooked details. It may not be evident from the vehicle's appearance or a test drive, but it could directly impact the cost and legality of owning the car.

Rather than dealing with issues passively after the transaction, it is better to address them during the car viewing stage. For buyers, spending three extra minutes verifying the license plate records often results in a more reassuring transaction outcome, making the used car truly a hassle-free choice rather than a source of frustration.