In Malaysia, car models with lower maintenance costs are usually dominated by local brands Perodua and Proton, especially those with small-displacement engines. For example, Perodua Axia and Proton Saga have reasonably priced and readily available parts, an extensive repair network, and daily maintenance costs ranging from approximately RM150 to RM300. The annual road tax for these models with 1.3L to 1.6L engines is only a few tens of Malaysian ringgit. If there are no consecutive accidents, insurance premiums can enjoy a 55% discount, further reducing the cost of ownership. In addition, Malaysia has no mandatory scrappage policy; old vehicles can be used for a long time as long as basic road tax is paid, but the frequency of repairs and fuel efficiency need to be weighed. If choosing an electric vehicle, currently local charging facilities are limited and imported models are expensive, so the long-term maintenance cost advantage is not yet significant. Overall, small-displacement local cars or well-conditioned used Japanese cars are the preferred choices that balance economy and practicality.
