Exactly What to Do if You Break Down
A warning light on the dash. A tyre that’s suddenly flat. An engine that won’t turn over. Hire car trouble in Perth is stressful, especially if you’re far from home or on a tight schedule. The good news: most breakdowns are sorted quickly when you stay calm and work through a few simple steps.
This guide walks you through exactly what to do — how to stay get safe, who to call, what your roadside assistance covers, what might cost extra, and the extra care needed if you break down in a remote part of WA. Keep this handy, and a breakdown remains a hiccup, without becoming a disaster.
First things first: keep get yourself safe
Before anything else, look after the people in the car. The vehicle can wait.
- Pull off the road if you can, onto the shoulder or a side street, away from moving traffic.
- Turn on your hazard lights straight away so others can see you.
- Stay buckled until it’s safe to get out. On a freeway, the safest place is often behind a barrier, well away from traffic — not standing by the car.
- Get passengers to a safe spot, especially children.
- Don’t try roadside repairs in live traffic. It’s not worth the risk.
If anyone is hurt, or there’s any danger to life, call 000 right away.
Stay calm. A breakdown feels urgent, but a few clear‑headed minutes to stay safe is always the right first move.
Breakdown or accident? They’re handled differently
These two situations need different steps, so it helps to know which one you’re in.
| Breakdown (mechanical) | Accident (collision) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Flat tyre, flat battery, won’t start, warning light | A crash involving your car and another car, object or person |
| First call | Roadside assistance, then Ace Rent A Car | 000 if anyone’s hurt, then police, then Ace Rent A Car |
| Key task | Get safe and get help to your location | Get safe, report it, gather details, photograph the scene |
| Paperwork | Note your location and the fault | Police report, other driver’s details, photos |
Both start the same way: get safe first. After that, follow the right path below.
What to do if your hire car breaks down
Work through these steps in order.
- Ensure your own safety — off the road, hazards on, passengers clear (see above).
- Identify your exact location. Note the road, the direction you’re heading, the nearest town or landmark, and drop a GPS pin if you have signal. You’ll need this so help can find you.
- During office hours, call Ace Rent A Car on 08 9472 4222. The team operates around the clock and We will advise the quickest, best solution for wherever you are. You can also reach them on WhatsApp at +61 412 118 988 or email [email protected].
- After hours, call RAC Roadside Assistance. Your hire includes access to RAC roadside assistance on 13 11 11 — quote the membership number shown on your rental agreement.
- Don’t attempt your own repairs beyond safe basics. Wait for the professionals.
- Keep any receipts for later reconciliation if Ace Rent A Car asks you to pay costs yourself.
Need help? right now? Call Ace Rent A Car 08 9472 4222 — Ace Rent A Car answers and will talk you through the next step.
What to do if you’ve had an accident
If it’s a collision rather than a breakdown, the steps change.
- Check everyone for injuries. Call 000 if anyone is hurt or in danger.
- Move to safety and switch on hazard lights.
- Call the police to file an accident report. For non‑urgent matters in WA, the Police Assistance Line is 131 444.
- Swap details with the other driver — name, licence and insurance company.
- Photograph and video everything — registration plates, the position of the cars, the damage, and the wider scene. Get witness contact details too.
- Call Ace Rent A Car during office hours and they’ll guide you from there. (Leave a message after hours.)
- Don’t admit fault at the scene. Let the respective insurers determine that.
A quick note on cost: after an accident you may need to pay the excess up front while fault is decided. If the other party is found to be at fault, that’s refunded to you. Excess reduction (if you took it) lowers what you’d pay.
Who to call: your quick contact list
Save these before you set off.
| Situation | Who to call |
|---|---|
| Injury, fire or danger to life – Emergency | 000 |
| Roadside Breakdown (RAC) | 13 11 11 (membership number on your agreement) |
| Ace Rent A Car (during office hours) | 08 9472 4222 · WhatsApp +61 412 118 988 |
| Non‑urgent police report (WA) | 131 444 |
What roadside assistance covers — included vs chargeable
This is where people get caught out, so here’s the honest picture. Your hire includes access to 24‑hour roadside assistance, but some help carries a fee. Always check your rental agreement for the exact terms.
| Usually included / arranged | Often chargeable to you |
|---|---|
| Access to 24‑hour RAC roadside assistance | The RAC call‑out fee |
| Help getting going again for common faults | Towing fees (may apply) |
| Phone support from Ace Rent A Car, during office hours, or leave a message after hours | Repairs for damage caused by misuse |
| Advice on the best fix for your location | Tyre, glass and undercarriage damage (not covered by standard cover) |
| Fuel if you run out (a refuelling error isn’t a covered breakdown) | |
| Anything caused by driving on unsealed roads or outside the travel boundary |
If the car has a genuine mechanical fault, call Ace Rent A Car first — they’ll advise on the quickest fix, which may include a replacement vehicle. If the trouble came from how the car was used (a kerbed wheel, a flat from gravel roads, the wrong fuel), expect to cover that cost.
Not sure what your cover includes? Check the rates and charges page or call 08 9472 4222 before your trip.
Breaking down in remote WA: extra considerations
WA is vast. A breakdown near the city is a quick fix. A breakdown hundreds of kilometres up the coast is a different situation, because help is further away and phone reception can drop out completely.
Before you head out of town:
- Tell someone your planned route and arrival time. If you’re overdue, they can raise the alarm.
- Check road and weather conditions on Main Roads WA.
- Carry plenty of water, snacks, a phone charger and a power bank. Reception gaps can be long.
- Fill up often. Fuel stops are far apart, so top up whenever you can.
- Know your travel boundary. Ace Rent A Car vehicles have a geofence (confirm the current limits — generally toward Carnarvon/Exmouth on the coastal road in the north, Kalgoorlie in the east and Esperance in the south). Cross it and your cover is revoked and charges apply.
If you break down somewhere remote:
- Pull well off the road and switch on your hazard lights.
- Stay with your vehicle. It gives you shade and shelter, and it’s far easier for rescuers to spot than a person on foot. Don’t wander off in the heat.
- Conserve phone battery. Send one clear message with your location if you have a brief signal, then save power.
- If you have no signal, a passing motorist may be your fastest help. In a true emergency with no phone coverage, this is where carrying water and staying put matters most.
- Stick to sealed roads. Damage on unsealed roads isn’t covered, and recovery from a remote track is slow and costly.
- Avoid driving at dawn and dusk, when kangaroos and other wildlife are most active. Animal strikes aren’t covered.
Planning a long drive? Talk to us first about the unlimited‑kilometre option and the right vehicle: 08 9472 4222.
What it might cost
Most breakdowns cost you little or nothing beyond a call‑out fee. Here’s a calm view of where charges can come from, so there are no surprises:
- RAC call‑out fee — usually charged to the hirer.
- Towing — may apply, depending on the situation.
- Excess — payable if there’s vehicle damage; excess reduction lowers this.
- Items outside standard cover — tyres, glass and the undercarriage and roof
- Fuel — if you run dry, you’ll pay for the fuel plus an admin fee.
- Travel boundary breach — cover is revoked and a daily charge applies (check your agreement for the exact figure).
- Animal Strikes – are not covered
A genuine mechanical fault in the vehicle is handled differently from damage caused by how the car was driven. When in doubt, call Ace Rent A Car and ask.
How to avoid hire car trouble in the first place
A little prep goes a long way:
- Do the pickup inspection and photograph the car, so existing issues are on record before you drive away.
- Check tyres and fluids on longer hires — that’s the driver’s responsibility.
- Don’t overload the vehicle beyond its seats and rating.
- Stay on sealed roads and inside the travel boundary.
- Keep the tank topped up on country drives.
- Take breaks every 2 hours. Driver fatigue is a common cause of road accidents.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Trying to fix it in live traffic. Pull over to safety first, every time.
- Forgetting to note your location. Help can’t reach you fast if you can’t say where you are.
- Driving on a flat tyre. It wrecks the rim, and that damage isn’t covered.
- Ignoring warning lights. A small issue becomes a big one if you push on.
- Heading off sealed roads or past the boundary. Both leave you uncovered and far from help.
- Letting your phone die in a remote area. Carry a charger and a power bank.
- Not calling Ace Rent A Car. One call gets you the right solution for where you are.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do first if my hire car breaks down in Perth?
Get yourself to safety. Pull off the road if you can, switch on your hazard lights, and keep passengers away from traffic. Then note your location and call for help. If anyone is hurt, call 000.
Who do I call if my Ace Rent A Car hire car breaks down?
Call Ace Rent A Car on 08 9472 4222 during office hours and or call RAC roadside assistance on 13 11 11 with the membership number shown on your rental agreement. You can also reach Ace Rent on WhatsApp at +61 412 118 988. Leave a message after hours
Is roadside assistance included with my hire car?
Your hire includes access to 24‑hour RAC roadside assistance. Be aware that the call‑out fee is charged to you and towing fees may apply, so check your agreement for the details.
What if I get a flat tyre?
Get safely off the road and call roadside assistance — don’t drive on a flat, as it damages the rim. Tyre damage isn’t covered by standard cover, so you may need to pay for the repair or replacement.
What if I break down in a remote part of WA?
Pull well off the road, put your hazards on, and stay with your vehicle — it’s easier to find and gives you shelter. Conserve your phone battery, send your location if you have signal, and wait for help. Carry water, and always tell someone your route before you leave.
What’s the difference between a breakdown and an accident?
A breakdown is a mechanical issue like a flat tyre or a car that won’t start. An accident is a collision. For a breakdown, call roadside assistance and Ace Rent. For an accident, call police for a report, swap details, photograph the scene, then call Ace Rent.
Will I be charged if the breakdown wasn’t my fault?
A genuine mechanical fault in the vehicle is handled by Ace Rent, who will advise the best fix for your location, possibly a replacement car. Costs are more likely when the trouble came from how the car was used, such as a kerbed wheel, gravel‑road damage or the wrong fuel.
How far can I drive a hire car from Perth?
There’s a set travel boundary (a geofence). Confirm the current limits when you collect the car, and stay on sealed roads. Driving outside the boundary revokes your cover and brings a daily charge.
We’re here to help when hire car trouble strikes
Trouble on the road is never fun, but you’re not on your own. Ace Rent A Car answers, with friendly local help and depots at Redcliffe, Victoria Park and Mandurah.
Call 08 9472 4222 or WhatsApp +61 412 118 988 during business hours, leave a message after hours · email [email protected]