About 1,500 cars in Singapore needed to return to workshops for follow-up after having their ERP 2.0 On-Board Units, or OBUs, installed, according to data from the Land Transport Authority (LTA).
As at July 2026, these cars accounted for about 0.2% of cars that had already been fitted with the OBU, 8world reported on 13 September.
The most common problems requiring further attention involved wiring.
The good news for motorists is that the proportion requiring follow-up has fallen considerably. In May 2025, the corresponding figure was about 1.3%.
Wiring Issues Are the Most Common Problem
Wiring has been a recurring issue during the nationwide installation exercise because different car models have different internal configurations.
LTA previously said that other reported problems included hardware faults, device issues and cases involving suspected tampering with wiring or components.
While most cases can apparently be dealt with without repeated trips, 8world reported that about six cases a month require more extensive troubleshooting and multiple workshop visits.
LTA said it would help facilitate appointments and provide technical support for cases requiring further investigation.
The issue came up as Singapore moves closer to the full launch of ERP 2.0.
From 1 January 2027, all Singapore-registered motor vehicles must have an OBU installed to travel on public roads, subject to exemptions for certain vehicles.
The satellite-based ERP 2.0 system will eventually replace the existing gantry-based system. Instead of relying on physical gantries to determine where ERP charges apply, the OBU uses satellite positioning to identify when a vehicle passes an ERP charging location.
LTA said in May 2026 that more than 96% of Singapore-registered vehicles had already been fitted with OBUs.
Some Cars Have Needed Multiple Trips Back
8world also spoke to used-car dealer and rental company MV Auto, which said it had received dozens of inspection notices after OBUs were installed in its vehicles.
The company said one vehicle had to be brought back for checks as many as four times.
Professor Lee Poh Seng, head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the National University of Singapore, told 8world that some problems were to be expected in an installation exercise of this scale.
However, he said repeated workshop visits could warrant closer examination, as recurring problems may indicate that the underlying cause has not yet been identified.
What Motorists Should Do If Their OBU Has Problems
LTA’s current guidance says motorists who receive an OBU inspection notice should contact the workshop that installed the unit so that the error can be checked and rectified.
Motorists who suspect something is wrong with their OBU even without receiving an inspection notice are also advised to return to the workshop that carried out the installation.
Each OBU comes with a five-year warranty from its installation date. Manufacturer defects are covered, although the warranty is subject to exclusions such as damage caused by tampering, misuse or accidents.
