I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: Servicing__
I don’t need to do it until May but was just curious as to what Mazda’s pricing roughly looked like - I guess there is a minor service and a major service offered, but I wonder if anyone has had their MX-5 done and knows what the prices are like. And if there is a lower pricing menu for older cars.
I guess most owners of older cars either DIY or go to an independent garage but if Mazda aren’t extortionate then maybe it’s worth it…
Have a look at the attached link.
You can select various dealers around your area to get a price comparison.
Then ring your preferred dealer and say it’s too expensive and price match to others and see what happens.
But in my opinion find a trustworthy good independent would be my advice or do it yourself at that age.
Good luck.
Older cars I guess need more maintenance, things start wearing out/failing.
On a 2011 NC guessing if it’s been serviced correctly some of the items coolant, plugs have been done at around 10-11 years or 64k miles ish.
Mileage unknown for your car but if you ask for a full service or just an oil change dealers prices can vary I’ve read.
It should say in the manual what service is required and what needs doing at the various intervals/mileage but that’s out of the window if it’s not been followed and a quote to suit.
I just had a quote from JCT Leeds for my NC 25AE. 8th year service.
£283 including VAT plus £49.95 for MOT.
Oil & filter plus Brake fluid change.
37000 Miles.
I ring around the local Mazda dealers, tell them that I’m phoning around and ask them for their best price. It varies quite a lot and is better than just accepting the first quote.
That doesn’t seem too bad. An independent would probably do all that for £200 + MOT say £40. But then the Mazda invoice is worth something to a buyer especially if you are going to sell the car (I’m not) and perhaps if the past history is a little patchy.
You really need to know what service items you want doing before you can compare prices. Depending on the cars history it will need
oil& filter change (annual)
brake fluid (recommend every 2 years)
air filter
spark plugs
gearbox oil
differential oil
coolant (I think first change at 11 years but others more knowledgeable will confirm)
Non service wear and tear items could include
brake discs and pads
anti roll bar links
tyres…
I mention those because many complain at the cost of their service which included a these items, which are not, IMO, service items which are replaced on a fixed scheduled be that time or mileage
My Mazda main dealer (Magna Mazda Christchurch) service my Mazda6 and the last two annual services have been £150 and £200, both reduced rate due to low lockdown mileage. Price includes collection and valeting.
They are a nice friendly bunch and I couldn’t be happier with the service I get from them. It’s a 2013 Sport, I continue to get it serviced at the main dealer because it’s a low mileage car and it has a full main dealer service history.
I have my five, a Mk2, serviced by an independent local guy who I have used for 25+ years who I know I can trust.
I should add that, base on my experiences, the recommended Mazda schedule only does as far as year 9…so many dealers won’t know what a 12 year services entails. I worked out based on the patterns for y are 1-9…
Your will probably find better value at an independent garage where you can customise what you want doing. For all service items I listed above I’d estimate £500 at a independent although that price will depend on whether you choose genuine Mazda parts or good quality after market items. I recently priced the parts for a 10 year service at c£250 for genuine parts from MX5 parts.
I’ve just had my 2008 NC 2litre Sport roadster given a Mazda essential service at a total cost of £228 .00, including the MOT, by Windsors of Wallasey? Here on the Wirral.
So the emerging conclusion in my mind is that Mazda is not massively more expensive than a decent independent, and for some owners the peace of mind and main agent service record might just be worth the premium. Food for thought.
This is sadly not the case at all, not by a country mile.
A dealer will put in whatever they’ve been told to whether it’s wrong or right.
Any decent Indie will have more aftermarket experience, intelligence, know what works and what doesn’t in the long term.
Do you really think that any Mazda main agent has a clue about any inherent MZR engine or gearbox problem?
I can tell you with some 100% certainty they have no idea whatsoever.
I honestly think it depends on what type of service you require. My nd has 15000 on the clock. I did a service engine oil & filter, air filter + crush washer for oil change, parts £102.67 all genuine Mazda would have been slightly cheaper at mx5 parts but out of stock. However I had wheels off checked tyres & pads all shocks & flexible hoses. Clean & seal soft top, cleaned drain filters battery check & no top ups needed but done like points door hinges etc. Placed receipts & also detailed list of things done. Point it is like working on cars that I own but I reckon I would be looking at a very big bill for that work. As I say depends on what type of service you want.
Local independent for me was about £160 this included gearbox oil change but I supplied the gearbox oil. The guy only uses OEM parts so it’s not like he was putting on cheap ebay stuff.
I do not see any point going with Mazda at an inflated price on an older car that is out of warranty. This is not a specialist vehicle with some unique engine or anything.
Ginny went into my local service centre (not Mazda-EMG) for its 48 month service and MOT.
MOT - no issues noted / reported so a clean “Pass”
Service
Genuine MAZDA filter
Genuine MAZDA sump washer
Shell Helix 0w30 fully synthetic engine oil
Ate type 200 brake fluid - there was some water contamination / milky “gunk” in the reservoir, so a complete flush and clean done.
Just done everything on my '06 2.0NC myself at home.
Oil and Filter
Spark plugs
Air Filter
Gearbox oil
Brake and clutch fluid
Front and rear pads (discs were fine)
Antifreeze
Washer fluid
Lubricated all locks
Cost less than £100 in parts, kept all the receipts in a nice folder as evidence of servicing as Mazda don’t give you a service book anyway.
MOT was £45 while I waited at the local garage, no advisories.
All my cars get at least an oil service at MOT time every year, more often if mileage dictates.
I’ve never had a buyer be unhappy about lack of service history when I’ve sold a car, but then all my cars are over 10 years old.
Doing it myself I have the satisfaction that it has at least been done properly.
My 2013 2 ltr Kuro edition always had main dealer services. I just had a call from Mazda main dealer to do a minor service. Oil and filter change and overall health check for £319.
I will get this done for under £100 at my local garage.
Ouch! I have just booked my ‘other car’, a Mazda6, in for a level 2 service and MOT next month at Magna Mazda Christchurch, including a purge of the fuel system. Total cost including MOT, collection and a full valet £204.00 . The car has a full Mazda service history which I think is worth maintaining.