I have a 2017 1.5 MX-5 RF. Just had it’s service and MOT, cost £290 including MOT at the Mazda dealership.
My local independent garage has excellent mechanics and equipment.
My question is it there any value in staying with the Mazda dealership? Do they have access to, for example, the software in the instrument display that is updated, after a service, and then shows the 2022 service recommend date?
The local independent garage is excellent, great body shop and great service and is very competitive with price!
I’ve just had 3rd service (Oil and filter change) and 1st MOT done for £139 at my local independent garage. Courteous, friendly and nothing is too much trouble… Recommended to me by a neighbour/friend and I’m very happy with using them. And where else do you get £40 + VAT labour rate?
Downside? No update to electronic service record and may reduce the appeal of someone buying it if and when I sell it…
I’d actually feel more confident buying a used ND knowing it had been serviced by a respected Indy…with receipts. At least you can call them for a chat to check up on stuff.
Such is the reputation of Main Dealers…pity they get tarred the same though.
Send a copy of your invoice to Mazda customer service and they will update the DSR.
Did this when I had my NB. As long as the garage is VAT registered and they itemise what has been done.
You can keep the costs down by getting an independent garage to do the MOT, I get mine done for £30 and shop around, it’s amazing how main dealers vary in price. You can also negotiate the price if you provide your own oil.
Just got my NC serviced at Beechwood Mazda in Derby for £140, I can highly recommend them.
I will have a similar dilemma in March next year when my Anniversary MX5 is due its first service.
My son is a Ford mechanic. I can have my car serviced at cost, all through the books with a receipt (and a stamp in the book, if I make/buy one).
…… but it won’t be a Mazda main dealer service.
At the moment my car is a keeper, so to me it shouldn’t matter, I know it will be done right.
If Mazda would update the DSR for a service carried out by another garage then that must be a win win
Has anyone actually managed that? and does indicate on the record that the service was carried by a non-Mazda garage
While on the subject of servicing, the service indicator is already telling me a service is due. My car is less than 9 months old and about to clock up 3,000 miles.
I was going to just reset the indicator and wait until March when it is 12 months old (to me).
I am assuming the clock started ticking for its first 12 month service when it left the factory.
In my experience once you are out of warranty it doesn’t matter where you service it. Aslong as it’s evidently been done. I’m meticulous with car maintenance and a folder full of receipts shows care. I do pay through the nose for genuine fluids and filters though as again it shows care and is right for the car. All the cars I’ve had have been self or Indy serviced and they sell for strong money on condition.
Even on trade in they don’t care Aslong as there’s a stamp in the book!
My ND has full Mazda history as the local dealer is very good (oakmere Mazda) and I struggle to find anyone local who I trust.
The key is finding a good independent garage. Mine is pretty good but have slipped up with stuff in the past.
Not particularly talking Mazda dealers here either, SEAT, Skoda I’ve dealt with in the past, wouldn’t go back to them locally so have gone further afield.
Once the warranty period has ended I have always either gone independent or DIY. Been lucky, all of my cars have been reliable, have been serviced rather over done on that side of things, like 4-5k mile oil changes.
Steve I know that Mazda dealer you mention in Derby, dealt with for parts but never done work on my car, they seem ok.
Bought this current car with a mix of Mazda and other dealer service stamped work done (well receipts) the evidence is key.
Just because they are local with a cheaper hourly rate wont be more expensive than a franchised dealer whose mechanics know what to do backwards and are keen to get to the next job, since they are bonuses on productivity and deducted for any returning mistakes. There are a number of service places that can update the DSR, and Mazda will allow independent garages to join the system. I have even seen DSR records with Halfords listed as the service agent.
At the end of the day you have to trust and be happy with the work done, whenever that is. I have always used main dealers for my motorcycle and cars, but use a specialist agent for my wife’s Mercedes that is run by an ex Merc dealer who has access to genuine parts and Mercs DSR system.
Just had the service done on my 2017 RF, had a quote from the main dealer that has previously serviced the car, they wanted £290 for an oil change and inspection, I used a small local garage who signed up for the DSR so that they can update the history for me, I got them to do the oil change plus the gearbox and diff, all for £198 and nearly £30 of that was just for the diff oil.
Yes, apparently Mazda only specify one type of oil for the diff, I think it was something like SG1, it only takes about 700ml so I have the spare for if it ever needs topping up, it wasn’t due to be changed but as I’d heard Mazda didn’t always do a full fill from the factory I figured I’d get them changed.
I’ve just collected my 65-plate ND after its 75000miles/72 months service at the local Mazda dealer. This service includes new spark plugs and brake fluid change in addition to the usual oil & filter and air filter change, all for a whopping £460!
I waived the plug change as the car has only done 26000 miles and also the brake fluid as it was done last year just after I bought it (just to baseline it). This brought down the price to a mere £226…
For my MX5 NC3.5 it’s my trusted local independant every time. Always Mazda filters and oils of my choice, supplied by me.
These are very simple cars to work on. What is the point of taking it to a Mazda dealer? All you are getting is exactly the same work done to your car, and a much bigger bill because paying through the nose on exorbitant labour charges.
I have mine serviced at the same time as the MOT test. Most of the servicing safety checks on Mazda’s list, plus emissions checks etc. are covered by the MOT anyway.
Anniversary MX5 is due its first service.
