BYD Roadside Assistance Australia: What You Get and How to Use It
Every new BYD delivered in Australia from 22 July 2025 includes 12 months of complimentary 24/7 roadside assistance through Australian Motoring Services, the network behind NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAA and RACT. The assistance line is 1800 270 711, and the membership is renewable annually.
BYD launched this national program on 22 July 2025, so it does not appear anywhere in the printed June 2023 warranty book. Everything below is verified directly against the roadside assistance terms BYD Automotive Australia publishes, which is the bydaccessories.store standard for every guide.
BYD Roadside Assistance at a Glance
| Benefit | Verified limit |
|---|---|
| Membership | 12 months complimentary from new vehicle registration, renewable annually |
| Availability | 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, provided by Assist Australia |
| Minor roadside repairs | Parts up to $200 inc GST to get you mobile again |
| Towing | To the nearest BYD dealer, with secure storage after hours |
| Taxi | One single trip, up to $80 |
| Support cap when over 100 km from home | $4,000 inc GST per incident in total |
| Emergency accommodation | Up to 4 nights, maximum $2,000 per incident |
| Car rental | Up to 5 days at $450 per day, or 2 days when combined with accommodation |
| Membership transfer | Fully transferable to a new owner at any time |
1. How the Program Works and Who Answers the Phone
The service is delivered by Assist Australia, part of the Australian Motoring Services group jointly owned by the state motoring clubs. Cover runs for 12 months from the date of new vehicle registration and can be renewed each year.
When you call, have your name and phone number, your location with the nearest cross street, your registration or VIN, and a description of the problem ready. Then stay with the car if it is safe to do so, because a patrol arriving at an unattended vehicle cannot work on it, and a repeat callout may be charged.
One disclosure our verification turned up: BYD's owner FAQ lists 1800 270 711 for roadside assistance, while the published terms document prints 1800 293 288. Both are official BYD sources, so save the number shown on your own membership confirmation as the definitive one.
2. What a Standard Callout Covers
- Flat 12V battery. The patrol tests the starter battery, jump starts it where possible, or coordinates a replacement. The new battery is charged to you unless it is still covered under warranty. If a warning light has you unsure whether the car is safe to keep driving before you call, it helps to know what the Atto 3 dashboard warning lights actually mean.
- Out of charge. You receive enough charge to reach the nearest charging station, or a tow to the nearest charging point, which can be a public charger, a BYD dealer or your own home. Checking remaining range through the remote functions in the BYD app before setting off avoids most of these calls entirely.
- Emergency fuel for the plug-in hybrids. Enough fuel to reach the closest retailer, or a tow to the nearest fuelling station where that is not practical.
- Flat tyres. The patrol fits your serviceable spare or repairs the tyre with the mobility kit where safe. No usable spare, locking nut problems or multiple damaged tyres means transport to the nearest tyre outlet or BYD dealer, with the extra work at your cost.
- Lost or locked keys. Reasonable help to get in, with proof of ownership and a signed consent form. Retrieving a spare key, a locksmith or a tow to a dealer is arranged at your expense.
- Towing. If the car cannot be mobilised, it is towed to the nearest BYD dealer. After hours, it goes into secure storage and is delivered the next business day.
3. The Long-Distance Safety Net
The most valuable benefits unlock when you break down more than 100 km from home, the car is undrivable, and it cannot be repaired the same day. Total customer support is capped at $4,000 inc GST per incident.
Within that cap you can claim emergency accommodation for up to four nights to a maximum of $2,000, or a rental car for up to five days at $450 per day. Combine the two and the rental portion drops to two days.
If no rental is available, alternate transport carries you and up to four passengers anywhere in Australia when the car cannot be fixed within three days. Vehicle recovery then returns the repaired car to your home or destination, or provides return transport so you can collect it.
4. What Is Not Covered
- Accident, theft or malicious damage. The program handles breakdowns, not collisions, though accident-related services can sometimes be arranged at your cost.
- Bogged vehicles and off-road recovery. Rescue from beaches, fields or creek beds is discretionary and at your expense, and service applies only on constructed, legally trafficable roads.
- Caravans and trailers. Your attached caravan can be transported at your cost when the car breaks down, but faults with the trailer itself are excluded.
- Neglect and misuse. Unregistered or poorly maintained vehicles, motorsport use, major body modifications, driver abuse and driving under the influence all void the callout.
- A car already in a workshop, or repairs underway at your premises. Roadside assistance ends where workshop repairs begin, and repair bills are always yours.
- Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes GVM, and any vehicle not registered on the membership system.
The service area covers mainland Australia on made roads plus Tasmania, Phillip Island, North Stradbroke Island and Kangaroo Island. Barge or ferry costs to recover a car to the mainland are yours.
5. Earlier Owners, Renewals and Transfers
Bought before 22 July 2025? Your original arrangement included 12 months of roadside assistance with the option to extend at purchase or at the annual service, and BYD's FAQ confirms existing memberships and contracts are honoured under the new provider.
Renewal is annual, and the natural moment to sort it is the yearly service visit, alongside budgeting what BYD servicing actually costs in Australia. Keeping the car registered, roadworthy and maintained to the logbook is an eligibility condition, not just good practice.
The membership is fully transferable to a new owner at any time during the period, which adds real value when selling. Australian Consumer Law guarantees sit above all of these terms and cannot be excluded by them.
Mistakes BYD Owners Make
- Walking away from the car before the patrol arrives. An unattended vehicle cannot be worked on, and the second callout may be charged.
- Assuming the caravan or trailer is covered. Only the car's breakdown is, and trailer transport comes at your cost.
- Expecting a free beach or paddock recovery. Off-road rescue is discretionary and billed to you.
- Letting registration or servicing lapse. Eligibility requires a registered, roadworthy, well-maintained vehicle.
- Calling roadside for a car already at a workshop. Those costs sit outside the program entirely.