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SOCAR Is Shutting Down Car-Sharing in Malaysia: How to Request Wallet Refunds and Alternative Car Apps
SOCAR is ending its car-sharing service in Malaysia on 31 August 2026. Here's how to request your wallet refund, what happens to active bookings, and the best alternatives — GoCar, TREVO and Moovby.
The short answer
SOCAR is ending its car-sharing service in Malaysia. The company confirmed on 14 August 2026 that all services will stop on 31 August 2026, and is asking users with a balance left in their SOCAR wallet to contact the company directly to get it back. If you have an active SOCAR account, log in now, check your wallet balance and any upcoming bookings, and start the refund process today — SOCAR has not published a formal refund deadline, so do not wait until the last week of August.
What SOCAR said
“Greetings from SOCAR. Please be informed that SOCAR services will officially end on 31 August 2026. We sincerely apologize for the late and sudden announcement regarding the discontinuation of SOCAR services. We understand that this news may be upsetting and that the short notice may cause inconvenience. We truly appreciate your understanding, patience, and continued support.”
The company has not given a public reason for the closure. SOCAR launched in Malaysia in 2018 and has run into a string of well-publicised problems in recent years, including vehicles reported stolen while on rental and parts such as batteries taken from parked cars, on top of normal fleet wear and tear. None of that has been confirmed by SOCAR as the reason for the shutdown, so treat it as background, not an official explanation.
How to request your SOCAR wallet refund
SOCAR has not published a self-service refund form. Right now, getting your balance back means contacting the company directly:
- Open the SOCAR app. Go to Profile > Live Chat and speak to a customer support agent, or
- Email help@socar.my. Include your registered mobile number, the email tied to your account, and your remaining wallet balance if you can see it in the app.
- Screenshot your wallet balance before you contact support, in case the app is taken offline before your refund is processed.
- Ask for a reference number or written confirmation of your refund request, and keep it until the money actually lands in your bank account.
What we could not confirm: SOCAR has not stated a final cut-off date for refund requests, nor how long a refund takes to reach a Malaysian bank account. Given the 31 August shutdown, the safest assumption is that requests get harder to process the closer you get to that date, so act now rather than later. If SOCAR publishes firmer numbers, we will update this article.
Active bookings, passes and auto-billing
If you have an upcoming booking, an active SOCAR Pass, or a subscription with recurring billing, do not assume it will be automatically cancelled or refunded pro-rata. SOCAR has not confirmed whether unused pass days are pro-rated back to your wallet. Until they do, you should:
- Cancel any bookings that fall after 31 August 2026 yourself, inside the app.
- Check your payment method (card or e-wallet linked for auto-billing) and remove it, or ask support to stop recurring charges, if you are on any kind of pass or subscription.
- Ask support directly, in writing, whether your specific pass will be refunded, and for how much, before the app potentially goes offline.
Where to go instead
SOCAR was the biggest platform-owned, station-based car-sharing operator in Malaysia. With it gone, the two names to know are TREVO, which SOCAR itself launched, and GoCar. Moovby also covers similar ground with a bigger peer-to-peer fleet.
TREVO
TREVO is a peer-to-peer (P2P) car-sharing platform launched by SOCAR Malaysia in 2020, and it keeps operating as normal. Instead of a company-owned fleet, you rent directly from individual car owners, with pricing from around RM70 a day. TREVO covers the Klang Valley, Penang, Johor Bahru, Ipoh, Melaka, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Langkawi, plus several airports, and P2P insurance is built into every booking.
GoCar
GoCar is the closest match to SOCAR’s old model: a station-based, pay-by-the-hour or by-the-day fleet you unlock from your phone. Hourly rates start from around RM13.90, with 15km of distance allowance for every hour booked, and fuel is included in the hourly rate. A one-time, non-refundable RM10 membership fee applies on your first booking. GoCar has 600-plus cars across more than 280 locations in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kedah and Johor.
Moovby
Moovby is a larger P2P marketplace, with more than 13,000 cars across 500-plus models in over 30 cities and 20-plus airports, from local Proton and Perodua models to luxury brands. Every booking is covered by an Allianz-backed insurance policy, and roadside towing is included almost everywhere in Peninsular Malaysia.
| Platform | Model | Starting price | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| TREVO | P2P (rent from owners) | From ~RM70/day | Klang Valley, Penang, JB, Ipoh, Melaka, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Langkawi + airports |
| GoCar | Station-based fleet | From ~RM13.90/hour | Selangor, KL, Penang, Kedah, Johor |
| Moovby | P2P (rent from owners) | Varies by owner | 30+ cities, 20+ airports |
Frequently asked questions
When exactly does SOCAR stop operating in Malaysia?
31 August 2026, according to SOCAR’s own statement issued on 14 August 2026.
Can I still get my SOCAR wallet balance back after that?
SOCAR has not said what happens to unclaimed balances after the shutdown date. Do not wait — request your refund now through the app or by emailing help@socar.my.
Is TREVO the same company as SOCAR?
TREVO was launched by SOCAR Malaysia in 2020, but it runs on a different, peer-to-peer model and is continuing to operate normally after SOCAR’s car-sharing service ends.
Will I be charged automatically if I do nothing?
Only if you have an active booking, pass or recurring subscription. Check your bookings and payment methods in the SOCAR app now, and cancel or remove anything you don’t want charged.
Bottom line
SOCAR’s Malaysian car-sharing service ends 31 August 2026. If you have money sitting in your SOCAR wallet, an active pass, or an upcoming booking, this is the week to sort it out, not the week the app goes dark. Don’t tunggu last minute — for your next rental, TREVO and GoCar are the direct replacements, with Moovby as a bigger P2P option if you want more choice.
Sources
- Amanz: SOCAR Menamatkan Perkhidmatan Sewa Kenderaan Di Malaysia Berkuat-kuasa 31 Ogos 2026
- Lowyat.NET: SOCAR exits Malaysia market (official statement quoted)
- SOCAR Malaysia
- TREVO Malaysia
- GoCar Malaysia
- Moovby FAQ
This article was published on 15 August 2026 based on SOCAR’s own statement and the latest available reporting. SOCAR has not yet published a formal refund deadline, processing time, or pass pro-ration policy — confirm directly with SOCAR support before assuming any of these details.
