PSA for Used Car Buyers: Why You Shouldn’t Skip Scrut (Based on My Experience)

I'm not here to promote Scrut, but if you're planning to buy a second-hand car in Malaysia, don’t be stingy about spending RM80 on a Scrut report. It could save you a lot more than you think. I just avoided a potentially costly mistake because of it.

Here’s a summary of what happened:

Recently, I came across a listing on a well-known and reputable used car platform. The car looked too good to be true — pristine interior, ultra-low mileage for its age, and only minor cosmetic touch-ups needed. I contacted the sales advisor, and everything sounded perfect. The price was high, but if everything checked out, it might be worth it.

Having gone through the used car buying process a few times, I did what I could: checking the inspection reports, asking about service history, and trying to connect the dots. One thing I noticed is that many free platforms (like that mycar**fo site) just confirm the basics — whether the car was stolen, written off, etc. — but they don’t tell the full story. And they usually require a chassis number, which isn't always easy to get.

Because of the high price, I decided to go ahead and pay RM80 for a Scrut report. Five minutes later, I had it in hand.

All the usual checks came back clean — no flood damage, no total loss, no theft or accident history. But then, one line caught my attention:
“Car Auctioned: YES.”

At first, I thought it might be an error. But after doing some research, I found that Scrut has been scraping auction data from public sources since May 2024. That includes bank repossession sales and other public auction sites. So yes — this car had very likely been auctioned.

Now here’s where it gets interesting.

I suspect someone — probably someone with insider knowledge of how the auction and resale system works — bought the car cheap from auction, polished it up, tampered the mileage, wrapped the rear seat headrests in plastic to fake that “new” feel, and sold it to a reputable used car platform at a profit. It’s a smart hustle, but it exploits a loophole that most buyers won’t catch.

And the best part? The platform had no clue. Or maybe they did, but as long as it looks clean on the surface and passes their checklist, it gets certified.

🤷‍♂️ I guess some young chaps sitting in nice offices think everyone’s a good guy, and a clean-looking car must mean clean history. It’s cute — but it's also careless. Shouldn't someone be asking harder questions before certifying a car?

Long story short — this auctioned car was being sold at a premium price without disclosing its history. Some trusted dealers won’t even take in auctioned cars, let alone certify them. But it happens, and unless you check for yourself, you might fall into the trap.

So here’s my advice:

- Spend the RM80 on Scrut. Seriously.

- Be extra careful with ultra-low mileage older cars.

- Don't rely on just what the salesperson or system says.

- Trust your gut — and do your own digging.

In Bolehland, used car deals can be great, but they can also be full of surprises. The golden days of trusting “mint condition” listings are gone. Do your checks, or you’ll learn the expensive way.

This post has been edited by gold member: Jul 26 2025, 12:49 AM

You're free to try buying an auctioned car — the experience will speak for itself.

It's not just about price. A 7–8 year-old Car going for RM1xxk with ultra-low mileage raises questions. Mileage can be tampered, and you won’t know what the car has been through.

Auctioned cars may have been left unsheltered for years — heat, sun, rain — all of which can damage plastics, hoses, wiring, and paint. A quick polish or 1-layer repaint hides that, but the wear is still there.

That’s why I’d rather pay more for a car with clear history than deal with hidden risks later.