Car Repair in Penang: 8 Breakdown and Repair Contacts
Last updated: October 2026
Car repair in Penang is mostly a matter of knowing whom to call first. Driving a rental car around the island or across the bridge is straightforward, but if a tyre goes flat on the coastal road to Batu Ferringhi or a warning light comes on in George Town traffic, visitors rarely know which numbers and workshops to trust. This guide is for anyone driving a rental car or their own car in Penang.
This guide covers 8 contacts, checked in October 2026: two 24-hour numbers, two tyre and battery centres, and one authorised service centre each for Perodua, Proton, Honda and Toyota, the four brands most common in Penang rental fleets. Several workshops do not publish their hours, so call ahead where we say so.
Prices for workshop jobs vary by car and part, so we do not quote fixed figures for repairs. Highway towing by PLUSRonda to the nearest safe point is free. The old Accident Assist hotline 15-500 shut down at the end of 2022, so after an accident call your insurer's own claims or accident line, or the rental company if you are in a rental car.
Jump to a place (8)
PLUSRonda (PLUSLine 1-800-88-0000)
PLUS expressways, including the North–South Expressway on the mainland and the first Penang Bridge
Tow to nearest safe point free
Bateriku (BHero Mobile Battery Service)
Mobile service and Pitstop outlets in Penang; head office in Shah Alam
24-Hour Breakdown and Accident Numbers
Save these numbers before you set off. None of them needs a membership, though your insurer or rental company decides who pays for any onward tow.
1. PLUSRonda (PLUSLine 1-800-88-0000)
PLUSRonda is the patrol and breakdown team on the PLUS expressway network. Call the toll-free PLUSLine on 1-800-88-0000 or use the SOS telephones placed about every 2 km along the expressway. A PLUSRonda crew will come out, carry out minor fixes such as changing a tyre at no charge, and tow the car to the nearest R&R area, lay-by or other safe place free of charge.
The free tow only goes as far as the nearest safe point, so call your rental company or insurer about getting the car to a workshop. If the car stops on the bridge deck, switch on hazard lights, stay behind the barrier and call PLUSLine straight away.
2. Bateriku (BHero Mobile Battery Service)
Bateriku is a Malaysian car-battery chain with more than 250 Pitstop outlets, including Penang, and a mobile team, BHero, that brings a new battery to wherever the car has stopped and fits it on the spot. It operates around the clock. Customer support is on 011-1600 6008, and orders can also be placed through the Bateriku app or website.
The warranty is honoured at any Bateriku Pitstop nationwide. In a rental car, check with the rental company before paying for a battery yourself, as some will only reimburse their own supplier.
Where to Make an Accident Report
Malaysian law requires a police report within 24 hours of any road accident, even a minor scrape. Your insurer will not process a claim without it.
Tyre and Battery Centres
For punctures, worn tyres, batteries, alignment and balancing on any make, these two Michelin Tyreplus centres cover George Town and the airport side of the island.
3. Tyreplus Hock Cheong Battery & Tyre Trader
Hock Cheong is a long-running tyre and battery shop on Prangin Road, a few minutes' drive from Komtar, and part of Michelin's Tyreplus network. It fits tyres, carries out balancing, alignment and puncture repairs, and replaces batteries.
It is the most convenient tyre stop for anyone staying in George Town's heritage core. Call 04-261 9191 to check that your tyre size is in stock. Parking in front is limited, so a quick call before arriving helps.
4. Tyreplus Bok Tyre & Battery
Bok Tyre & Battery is a Tyreplus centre in Sunway Tunas, Bayan Lepas, on the south side of the island and about 15 minutes' drive from Penang International Airport. It handles tyre fitting, balancing and alignment, battery checks and replacement, wipers and brakes. It holds a 4.8 out of 5 rating on Google from more than 650 reviews.
It is a sensible stop on the south side of the island, and useful if you need a tyre sorted before returning a rental car at the airport.
Authorised Service Centres by Brand
Most rental cars in Penang are Perodua, Proton, Honda or Toyota. If your rental company or warranty requires an authorised workshop, start with these island branches.
5. Perodua Service Centre Penang (Jalan Patani)
Perodua models such as the Axia, Bezza and Myvi make up a large share of Penang's budget rental fleets. This Perodua service centre on Jalan Patani, handles servicing and repairs for all current models. In October 2024 Perodua named its Penang service centre (PSSB Penang) among 16 branches moving to longer hours, Monday to Saturday until 9 pm; confirm current hours with the branch.
Booking ahead is advisable, as bays fill quickly on Saturdays. For a rental car, let the rental company arrange the visit so the work is billed to them.
6. Proton 3S Autobinee Oriental (Air Itam)
Autobinee Oriental runs a Proton 3S centre (sales, service and spare parts) on Jalan Air Itam, on the way to Penang Hill and Kek Lok Si. Proton opened it in 2019 as the first branch in Penang with its updated brand identity, with four service bays, and Autobinee is still on Proton's official dealer list for 2025.
Call 04-826 7111 for hours and bookings. Proton's 24-hour customer careline is 1-800-888-398 if you need roadside help or a referral to another Proton workshop on the mainland.
7. Honda Kah Motor Penang 4S Centre
Kah Motor's Penang 4S centre on Lengkok Sungai Pinang covers Honda sales, service, spare parts and body and paint. The workshop is listed on Google as Kah Motor Co. Sdn Bhd (Service Center) at No. 122-J, while No. 124 next door is the Honda showroom. It is about 10 minutes' drive from the George Town heritage area. It services all Honda models sold in Malaysia, including the City, Civic and HR-V often used as rental cars.
The workshop closes for lunch from 1 pm to 2 pm on weekdays and at 1 pm on Saturdays. Call 04-282 1000 to book. Kah Motor's boutique outlet on Lebuh Farquhar in George Town is a sales-only (1S) branch, so take workshop jobs to Sungai Pinang.
8. Toyota Jelutong Service Centre
The Toyota 3S outlet at 8 Jalan Jelutong was a UMW Toyota branch until 2018, when operation of UMW Toyota's Penang outlets passed to S&D Tama Malaysia. It offers sales and after-sales service for Toyota models, with body and paint facilities.
Phone details vary between directories, so use the Toyota Malaysia website or app to confirm the current number and service hours before you go. Jalan Jelutong is a busy trunk road, so avoid the morning and evening peaks.
What to Do After a Breakdown: Car Repair in Penang Tips
Get safe first
Switch on hazard lights, move to the shoulder if you can, place a warning triangle 50 to 100 metres behind the car and wait away from traffic. Call 999 for police or ambulance if anyone is hurt or the car is blocking the road.
Call the rental company or insurer before any tow
Rental agreements in Malaysia usually require you to use the company's breakdown line and nominated workshop, and unauthorised repairs may not be refunded. Private owners should call their insurer's own claims or accident line so the car goes to a panel workshop.
Do not hand your keys to uninvited tow trucks
Unlicensed tow operators, known locally as ulat tayar, often reach accident scenes first. They may demand high cash fees, take the car to a workshop that inflates the repair bill, or hold the car until you pay. Do not sign anything or hand over keys unless you or your insurer called that tow truck. Ask the driver who sent them and check with your insurer.
Report accidents within 24 hours
A police report is required by law within 24 hours of any road accident and your insurer needs it for a claim. Take photos of all vehicles, number plates, the road and any damage, and swap names, phone numbers and insurance details with the other driver. Notify your insurer or rental company the same day.
Get a written quote
Ask for an itemised quotation before work starts and keep the old parts if a major component is replaced. Authorised service centres charge fixed menu prices for routine servicing, while independent workshops vary widely.
Car Repair in Penang: Frequently Asked Questions
What number do I call if my car breaks down on the Penang Bridge?
Call PLUSLine on 1-800-88-0000. The first Penang Bridge is part of the PLUS expressway network, and PLUSRonda will tow you free to the nearest safe point. After an accident, call your insurer's own claims or accident line (or the rental company, in a rental car), and 999 if anyone is injured.
Do I need a police report for a minor accident in Penang?
Yes. Malaysian law requires a police report within 24 hours of any road accident, however minor, and insurers will not process a claim without one. Any police station can take the report.
What is ulat tayar and how do I avoid it?
Ulat tayar is the local name for unlicensed tow truck operators who rush to accident scenes, often before the police. They may charge inflated cash fees or take your car to a workshop of their choosing. Only accept a tow truck sent by your insurer, rental company or PLUSRonda, and do not hand over your keys or sign anything otherwise.
Can I take a rental car to any workshop in Penang?
Usually not. Most rental agreements require you to call the company's breakdown line first and use its nominated workshop. If you pay an outside workshop without approval, the rental company may refuse to reimburse you. Keep the rental agreement and the company's 24-hour number in the car.
Where can I fix a flat tyre near Penang airport?
Tyreplus Bok Tyre & Battery in Sunway Tunas, Bayan Lepas, about 15 minutes from the airport, opens Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 7 pm and handles punctures, new tyres, alignment and batteries. In George Town, Tyreplus Hock Cheong on Prangin Road opens Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm. Both close on Sundays.