Vehicle owners should expect higher servicing and maintenance costs starting this month due to the knock-on effects of engine oil prices increasing a month earlier. Industry players told The Star the uncertainty in global energy markets resulting from the ongoing conflict in West Asia may affect the pricing of other vehicle maintenance products such as spare parts and tyres.
Speaking to the news outlet, Ken Ng, who runs a vehicle spare parts shop in Section 8, revealed engine oil prices increased by around 10% in May, with retail prices going up by between RM10 and RM25 for various lubricant products.
“Popular engine oils that move quickly are being restocked at higher prices. For now, we are still selling existing stock at the old price but once the new shipments arrive, the increases will have to be passed on to customers,” he said, adding that this could affect the broader automotive aftermarket industry.
“This is unavoidable. Vehicle maintenance cannot be postponed indefinitely regardless of whether prices go up or not. Since the day I got into this business four decades ago, prices have only gone up and never down,” said Ng. “Even the plastic bags we use to pack the items we sell have gone up in price because they are petroleum-based products,” he continued, adding that some consumers are switching to cheaper engine oils.
Meanwhile, PS Tyres & Battery Auto Services manager Teoh Yong Wah echoed a similar tune by saying suppliers have already informed dealers to expect price revisions from June onwards. “Engine oil prices went up in May. Suppliers have also indicated that tyre and spare parts prices could also rise from June but we have not been told exactly when the increases will take effect,” he said.
“Smaller and cheaper parts may only see a slight increase and vehicle owners may not feel the difference immediately. However, when several items go up at the same time, the cost adds up,” he added.
Some car owners like Jacqueline Cha say a 10% increase in maintenance costs would still be manageable for her family’s two vehicles. “Fortunately, we own reliable car models with widely available and affordable replacement parts, which helps keep our maintenance costs under control,” she said.
Ahead of an expected price hike, Cha said she had sent her cars for servicing, including engine oil and tyre changes, which saved her about RM200. “But whether prices rise by 10% or even more, vehicle maintenance is essential. Delaying or skipping servicing can lead to more costly repairs later due to premature wear and tear on the engine,” she added.
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