You’ll need to have a police report if you want to claim for repairs to your car on your insurance, but no paperwork is required if you’re paying for the repairs yourself. There is an approved list of workshops for repairs claimed on insurance, drawn up by the General Insurance Association of Malaysia, and insurance firms can choose who to use from this list. Work carried out by these workshops is guaranteed for six months. If you insist on using someone else, your insurance company may not settle the bill in full. How much excess you will have to pay depends on the terms of your policy.

Driving conditions in Malaysia are tough on brakes, shock absorbers and tyres, so you may have to replace them more often than you’re used to. You can choose whether to have your car repaired by the manufacturer’s service centre or go for an independent mechanic. There are a number of good general mechanics. Some, such as Ann Heng Auto and Keu Fong Auto Service, will come to pick up your car and deliver it after servicing or repairs.