Rent a set of roadworthy tyres, pass PUSPAKOM, then swap them back for worn-out ones. That's the alleged trick behind Malaysia's lorry tyre-rental scheme.
The issue has resurfaced after JPJ Pahang uncovered a suspected operation in Gebeng, Kuantan, reportedly charging RM100 to RM150 for tyre rentals. PUSPAKOM has since urged action against providers allegedly facilitating inspection deception.
But if authorities have known about this practice for years, why is it still happening?
How The PUSPAKOM Tyre Rental Scheme Works
The suspected method is straightforward. A lorry is temporarily fitted with tyres that meet inspection requirements, only for those tyres to potentially be replaced with worn or unsafe ones afterwards.
Renting tyres isn't automatically illegal. The concern is whether temporary tyres are being used to misrepresent a vehicle's actual roadworthiness.
HOW THE ALLEGED SCHEME WORKS
STEP 1
Fit Compliant Tyres
Temporarily install tyres that meet inspection requirements.
STEP 2
Attend PUSPAKOM Inspection
Present the vehicle for its mandatory inspection.
STEP 3
Potentially Swap Back
The compliant tyres may be replaced with worn or unsafe ones afterwards.
Illustration of the suspected practice, not a confirmed sequence for every vehicle.
This Isn't A New Problem
This isn't a new concern. In January 2025, PUSPAKOM acknowledged difficulties detecting rented components, including tyres and brake parts, as previously reported by Carz.
By February 2025, the issue had reached Parliament, with the Transport Ministry discussing stronger enforcement against suppliers, intermediaries and vehicle operators.
An excerpt from a March 2026 parliamentary committee report highlighting concerns over vehicle components being replaced after PUSPAKOM inspections and proposed measures to strengthen monitoring. (Source: Parlimen Malaysia)
A March 2026 parliamentary committee report later raised similar concerns, recommending identifiable tyre markings, better inspection records and more frequent surprise checks.
Yet another suspected operation has now surfaced in Pahang.
Why Passing Inspection Doesn't Tell The Whole Story
Malaysia tightened its commercial vehicle tyre inspection requirements in June 2025, requiring a minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm across the entire contact surface, rather than the previous 75%.
But stricter inspections alone cannot prevent tyres from being replaced afterwards.
PUSPAKOM can inspect the tyres fitted on inspection day. The challenge is ensuring those same tyres remain on the vehicle afterwards.
This is where roadside checks, identifiable tyre markings and better inspection records could make a difference. However, the nationwide implementation status of these proposed safeguards remains unclear.
PUSPAKOM's latest position also raises another question: should enforcement target only vehicle operators, or businesses knowingly helping them manipulate inspections?
Passing PUSPAKOM should mean a lorry is safe on the road, not just inside the inspection lane.
A Bachelor of English Language and Literature graduate with an obsession for the finer details. Sofea uses her background in translation to decode the technicalities of automotive innovation. She is dedicated to delivering impactful, meticulously researched articles that provide a narrative far beyond the spec sheet. LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3C018vv
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