If your rental car develops a mechanical problem in Dubai, move to a safe location when possible, turn on the hazard lights, and contact the rental company immediately. Do not arrange repairs, towing, or a replacement vehicle yourself unless the company authorises it.
The rental provider should explain the assistance process and tell you what to do next. Your responsibilities and eligibility for a replacement will depend on the cause of the problem and the terms of the rental agreement.
What should you do first?
Stay calm and reduce your speed gradually if the car is still moving. Pull over only where it is safe and permitted. Avoid stopping in an active traffic lane unless the vehicle cannot move.
Turn on the hazard lights to warn other drivers. If you have a warning triangle and can place it safely, follow the instructions provided with the vehicle and the applicable road-safety rules.
Do not stand close to moving traffic. If the vehicle is in a dangerous position or there is an immediate risk to people, contact the appropriate emergency service as well as the rental company.
Who should you call?
Use the roadside-assistance or emergency contact number provided by the rental company. This number may appear in the agreement, booking confirmation, vehicle documents, or a message sent during delivery.
Tell the company your name, booking details, vehicle number plate, exact location, and what happened. Describe any dashboard warning lights, unusual sounds, loss of power, overheating, or visible damage.
Customers booking rent a car in Dubai with Friends Car Rental should save the company’s assistance contact details before beginning their journey.
Should you try to repair the car yourself?
Do not attempt mechanical repairs unless the rental company gives you clear permission. Opening components, replacing parts, or taking the vehicle to an unauthorised garage may create safety problems and affect your responsibilities under the agreement.
Even apparently simple issues can have a more serious cause. A warning light should not be ignored simply because the car continues to move.
You may provide basic information, such as the fuel level and warning message, but allow the rental company or its approved assistance provider to decide whether the vehicle should be driven, repaired, or recovered.
Will the rental company provide a replacement car?
A replacement may be available when the rental vehicle develops a mechanical fault that the customer did not cause. The exact arrangement depends on availability, location, vehicle category, and the rental agreement.
Ask whether the replacement will be the same model or another car from a similar category. If you receive a different vehicle, inspect it and make sure the new handover details are recorded.
A replacement may be handled differently when the problem results from an accident, incorrect fuel, tyre damage, lost keys, misuse, or another action attributed to the customer. Review these situations before signing the agreement.
What if the car has a flat tyre?
Move away from traffic if the vehicle can be driven safely for a short distance. Do not continue driving on a damaged tyre because this may affect the wheel and create additional damage.
Call the rental company and explain the condition of the tyre. Ask whether you should use the spare, wait for roadside assistance, or arrange another solution through an approved provider.
Check the agreement to understand who pays for tyre damage. The answer may depend on whether the issue resulted from normal mechanical failure, road debris, an impact, or misuse.
What if the battery is dead?
A battery problem can happen when lights or electrical equipment are left on, although batteries may also fail for other reasons.
Contact the rental company before using jump leads or accepting help from another driver. Incorrectly connecting a battery can damage the vehicle’s electrical system.
Tell the assistance team whether the dashboard lights turn on, whether the engine makes any sound, and whether the car was parked for a long period. Follow the instructions they provide.
What if the breakdown happens outside Dubai?
Inform the rental company of any plan to travel to another emirate before starting the journey. Confirm that the agreement permits it and ask how roadside assistance works outside Dubai.
If a breakdown occurs, send your precise location and nearby landmark. Avoid arranging independent towing unless the rental provider or an appropriate authority instructs you to do so.
Longer journeys also make it important to check the mileage allowance. Friends Car Rental provides 250 kilometres per day, 1,750 kilometres per week, and 4,500 kilometres per month.
Who pays for the breakdown?
Payment depends on why the vehicle stopped and what the rental agreement covers. A mechanical fault unrelated to the customer may be handled by the rental provider. Costs caused by misuse, negligence, unauthorised repairs, incorrect fuel, lost keys, or damage may be charged to the customer when the agreement allows it.
Ask the company to explain roadside assistance, recovery, replacement vehicles, tyres, batteries, and customer-caused problems before paying.
Friends Car Rental offers a no-deposit option, but customers remain responsible for applicable charges under the signed agreement. No deposit does not mean that every recovery or repair cost is included.
How can you prepare before driving?
Inspect the vehicle during delivery and report any warning lights or unusual sounds before accepting it. Check the tyres, fuel level, visible condition, and dashboard.
Keep the rental agreement, assistance number, and booking details on your phone. If your journey includes remote or unfamiliar areas, make sure the phone is charged and navigation is available.
Knowing whom to call is the most important preparation. If the rental car develops a problem, stop safely, contact the company, document the situation, and follow its instructions.