For most private car owners, Puspakom comes up when a car changes hands. The Puspakom inspection for a change of ownership is now called MV15 (plenty of people still call it B5). It confirms that the car is the car its papers describe, and since 1 July 2026 its report is valid for 120 days. It doesn't tell you the car is in good condition, which matters a great deal if you're the buyer. The rules below are as at 2026.
Which Puspakom inspection do I need?
| Inspection | When | What it's for |
|---|---|---|
| MV15 (formerly B5) | Transferring ownership of a private car | Verifies the car's identity, including its engine and chassis numbers |
| B7 | When a bank or finance company asks for it | Verifies the car for a hire-purchase application |
| B2 | When you want a closer look, for example in a dispute | A more thorough special inspection: chassis condition, structural integrity, identification and compliance |
| Voluntary inspection | Any time, by choice | A condition and roadworthiness check for owners and buyers |
If you're selling or buying privately, you need MV15. If the buyer is financing the car, the lender may also ask for B7. B2 is the one to choose if you suspect accident damage.
Does a pass mean the car is in good condition?
No. MV15 compares the chassis and engine numbers with JPJ's records and includes a visual check for major structural rust, structural modifications and cracked frames. If the inspector finds signs of a "cut and join" at the pillars, the car goes on to a more detailed Advanced Inspection.
What it doesn't do is scan the car's electronics. Diagnostic (OBD) scans aren't part of MV15, B7 or B2, and a used-car dealer quoted by The Star in August 2026 pointed out that the basic checks aren't designed to find repaired body panels, and may miss airbag deployment, bypassed warning lights or a wound-back odometer.
Puspakom made the same point itself in June 2026. A buyer whose car had already passed MV15 and B7 ordered a B2 at Puspakom's Batu Maung centre in Penang; it found structural non-compliance at chassis level, and the report helped the buyer win at a tribunal. So for anything expensive, and certainly for an older luxury car, pay for the deeper look before you pay for the car. Our guide to buying a used luxury car in Malaysia lists the other checks.
How do I book a Puspakom inspection?
Through the official MyPUSPAKOM portal. Register with your MyKad, choose the inspection type, the branch and a time slot, and pay online. Check the plate number carefully, because it can't be edited after payment. Busy branches fill up, so book a week or two ahead, and avoid agents who charge extra to book a slot you could book yourself.
On the day, bring:
- the booking slip;
- your MyKad;
- the vehicle registration card.
Arrive early, with a clean car. Missing number plates, illegal modifications and excessive window tint can all cause trouble at the lane.
If you're the buyer, book the inspection yourself or go along, rather than accepting a report handed to you by the seller.
Is Puspakom the only place that does MV15?
Not any more. In July 2025 the Transport Ministry appointed four more companies to carry out MV15 inspections: Carro, Carsome Academy, Wawasan Bintang and Beriman Gold. Carro opened its first MV15 centres in the Klang Valley in June 2026, at Glenmarie, Kajang, Klang and Wangsa Melawati. Carro charges the government-set fee, the same as Puspakom. Check each operator's current list of centres before you book.
The ownership transfer itself still goes through JPJ, at a branch or through its authorised online channels.
How long is the report valid?
120 days from 1 July 2026, doubled from 60. Finish the ownership transfer inside that window or you'll be booking another inspection.
What happens if the car fails?
The report lists the faults. Fix them and bring the car back for a re-inspection, which may carry another fee.
Do I need Puspakom to renew road tax?
Only in some cases. A car whose road tax has lapsed for more than three years must pass an inspection before renewal, and the government's guidance lists inspections for certain other vehicles, such as commercial ones. Our guide to road tax renewal online covers the rest.
What about financing a used car?
The B7 inspection is the lender's requirement, not yours, so the bank will tell you if it needs one. Our guide to car loan eligibility explains what else a bank checks.
Does any of this apply on a subscription?
No. A Grandpride car subscription car is owned and registered by Grandpride, so there's no ownership transfer for you to inspect. Only cars rated A+ by an independent inspection service join the subscription fleet. On Lease to Own, the cars are inspected and under 70,000 km before they're offered.
