Brand new Perodua Bezza busts in 8 hours, owner in limbo

Buying a new car is often a milestone moment, symbolizing newfound freedom and independence. However, for Nagakanni Subramaniam, her dream turned into a nightmare when her newly purchased Perodua Bezza broke down just 8 hours after she drove it off the lot. The incident has left her in financial distress and battling with the car manufacturer, Perodua, for a resolution.

Nagakanni’s ordeal began on October 17 last year when she excitedly purchased a Perodua Bezza 1.3 X from Harapan Terang Motor Sdn Bhd, a car dealership in Segamat, Johor. Little did she know that her joy would be short-lived. At 7:40 pm on the same day, the car’s engine failed to start, leaving her stranded and marking the end of her brief ownership.

In a Facebook post that has since gained attention, Nagakanni expressed her dismay and shared that she could only manage to drive the Bezza for a mere 46 kilometers during those 8 hours. The following day, the car was towed to the Perodua Segamat Service Center, where a mechanic informed her that the engine was damaged.

The situation took a more perplexing turn when, on November 9, Perodua’s Customer Sales Executive, Sufian, revealed that the engine damage was allegedly caused by foreign materials, specifically sugar. Nagakanni vehemently denied bringing any food or sugar into the car during her short ownership and insisted she did not tamper with the engine.

Frustrations mount as bureaucratic processes unfold

Seeking resolution, Nagakanni requested a replacement car from Perodua, but her plea was met with a bureaucratic process. She was told to await an official decision from the company’s headquarters, a wait that stretched from two weeks to a month. Frustrated by the lack of progress, she lodged a police report on December 8 in hopes of finding justice in her case.

Adding to her woes, Sufian suggested that Nagakanni apply for a second car loan, a proposition she declined as she was still repaying the existing loan at RM537 per month. Despite the ongoing ordeal, the Customer Service department at Perodua informed Nagakanni on December 8 that the final proposal was pending approval, citing ongoing investigations into “internal errors.” To date, more than two months since the incident unfolded, Nagakanni remains without a resolution and continues to pay off the loan for a car she can no longer use.

Nagakanni’s predicament has caught the attention of Malaysians, sparking concerns about consumer rights and the demand for swift action. Social media is abuzz with discussions, as netizens call for transparency and accountability from the well-established car manufacturer in promptly addressing customer grievances. Perodua now faces heightened pressure to resolve the concerns surrounding the alleged engine damage and the delayed solution, addressing both customer issues and wider public scrutiny.

As Nagakanni awaits a resolution to her car nightmare, her case serves as a cautionary tale for potential car buyers, emphasizing the importance of thorough inspections and understanding warranty policies before making a significant investment in a new vehicle.