MX5 servicing

[Adrian W]

We have just bought an MX5 and today we had it serviced, when we got the bill we were somewhat taken aback.

50k service £261, for this we got,

Labour £120, they called after 90 minutes to say the car was ready for collection.
Washer £1.56
Oil filter £10.47
Brake fluid £9.03 , didn't need any
Screen wash £5.86, didn't need any
Magnatec 5w30 £55.69, £21 all over the place and £12 at Asda
Environmental charge £7.50
VAT £43.52

So it was an oil change and check nothing is falling off.
The idea was to keep the main dealer history going,, however after this you have to be joking!
all the reviews said maintanence is expensive on MX5's but this is taking the p****, I had my
Lexus serviced at a main dealer this week, the total bill was less and the oil cost was less than half of Maxda.

My question is, are Mazda servicing charges a complete ripp off? Or is it my local dealer?

[MX-5 Lazza]

How old is your '5 and who was the dealer?

[Adrian W]

MX-5 Lazza said:

How old is your '5 and who was the dealer?

09 mk3.5 sport tech, Mazda Braintree Essex

[sbird]

I phoned several dealers and got varying prices. Had them break it down into parts + labour. The parts costs are way over the top when you can buy the same parts from a retailer for less than the dealers charge.

Personally, if I don't know the garage well, I would ask for an up-front quote.

My car (08 plate) went to a well-respected independent specialist garage last year. The dealer premium isn't worth it.

I did recall reading (can't remember where) that there's a scheme being introduced for dealers to price-match local independent garages. Well worth a haggle before-hand.

[Adrian W]

Maybe I should have titled the thread MX 5 servicing ripp off, I was hoping someone was going to respond listing all the things they do to the car, using specialised kit that justifies the price charged.

[g40steve]

If you didn't ask before you took it in, you only have one person to blame?

Since I have owned my car the last 4 years it has & will never go to a stealer.

My car is looked after by Roddo, when I sell it anyone who knows mx5's knows Roddo.

Far better than main dealer

Edited by g40steve on Sunday 26th January 18:17

[rfn]

I have to say my (old) local Mazda dealer (Chambers in Tamworth) was very price competitive, and I never felt overcharged. As a result my Mk3 had an awful lot of miles but FMSH when it was sold - now has over 100k with the FMSH too.

I've only had the Mk3.5 serviced twice but again, I've felt they were very reasonable.

Sorry to hear that your experience hasn't been so good.

[Adrian W]

g40steve said:

If you didn't ask before you took it in, you only have one person to blame?

Since I have owned my car the last 4 years it has & will never go to a stealer.

My car is looked after by Roddo, when I sell it anyone who knows mx5's knows Roddo.

Far better than main dealer

Edited by g40steve on Sunday 26th January 18:17

Of course we asked the price beforehand, we just expected a lot more for that much, compared to the Lexus main deal service, which cost less, the Mazda one is a con.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Adrian W said:

Maybe I should have titled the thread MX 5 servicing ripp off, I was hoping someone was going to respond listing all the things they do to the car, using specialised kit that justifies the price charged.

Just one specialised piece of kit. The dealer service stamp for the log book. Why people think this is important I will never know. I'd rather buy a car that has full specialist service history than full dealer service history.

[dragonheart]

Don't even think Mazda stamp the service book, pretty sure they keep all the service records on there electronic database.

[Pints]

What the hell is an Environmental Charge?

I won't touch my local Mazda dealership when it comes to servicing. Costs are much higher than even other main dealers.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Pints said:

What the hell is an Environmental Charge?

Disposal of old oils/fluids. I think it's something all garages have to charge but only main dealers detail it on the bill.

[New POD]

I serviced the wife's MX5 (a mk1 1.6 circa 1997) for about £50, and it took me less than an hour. That includes a quick drive up the bypass to get the old oil hot, and driving up my little ramps so I could get the sump plug off.

Oil filter, air filter and 4 spark plugs came to about £30 IIRC. Oil was Castrol Semi Synthetic from Costco, 2 lots of 5 litres for £20 (I think).

Just bought a cam belt, but that will take me 3 hours as I've never done it before.

Didn't touch the brake fluid as I replaced it when I rebuilt the rear calipers.

(No PAS or AC)

[Pints]

MX-5 Lazza said:

Disposal of old oils/fluids. I think it's something all garages have to charge but only main dealers detail it on the bill.

Thanks

[Adrian W]

I emailed them first thing this morning asking them to list what they did to the car, and to justify their prices for oil etc, no response yet, maybe it has taken them all day to write the long detailed schedule, either that or they don't give a st.

[New POD]

Pints said:

MX-5 Lazza said:

Disposal of old oils/fluids. I think it's something all garages have to charge but only main dealers detail it on the bill.

Thanks

Last Summer I realised I had 40 litres of old engine oil behind the shed. The local tip's gestapo, did question my status, but agreed that 3 years, and 3 cars and 1 service a year each added up to 9 containers (probably). In any case I think they sell the old engine oil on to power ships, or something like that.

[rfn]

Adrian W said:

I emailed them first thing this morning asking them to list what they did to the car, and to justify their prices for oil etc, no response yet, maybe it has taken them all day to write the long detailed schedule, either that or they don't give a st.

You know, I'm sure the service department have more important things to do than respond to emails - like serving customers. Perhaps they have been busy...
If you wanted an immediate response, you should have telephoned and asked to speak to the Service Manager, or gone there in person. You chose to email, which means you don't get an immediate response.

[Adrian W]

rfn said:

You know, I'm sure the service department have more important things to do than respond to emails - like serving customers. Perhaps they have been busy...
If you wanted an immediate response, you should have telephoned and asked to speak to the Service Manager, or gone there in person. You chose to email, which means you don't get an immediate response.

I don't know what you do for a living, but taking that long to respond to an email would not be acceptable in most businesses, even if it were just an acknowledgment.

[rfn]

Adrian W said:

rfn said:

You know, I'm sure the service department have more important things to do than respond to emails - like serving customers. Perhaps they have been busy...
If you wanted an immediate response, you should have telephoned and asked to speak to the Service Manager, or gone there in person. You chose to email, which means you don't get an immediate response.

I don't know what you do for a living, but taking that long to respond to an email would not be acceptable in most businesses, even if it were just an acknowledgment.

I suspect that you work in an industry where an immediate response to an email is more likely than others. A car service department probably doesn't rank high in that list. I work in IT, where yes, it is expected that emails are responded to swiftly (even if just an acknowledgement), but there is a definitive acknowledgement if you want a rapid answer, you pick up the phone and speak to someone.

[blueheron]

AdrianW I had my '04 mk2.5 MX5 serviced and MOT taken care of by Autolink (Hampshire) last Friday. Paid about £167 total off the top of my head. Done 47k miles so similar miles to you, albeit on an older car.

When I get home i'll list what they did.

Would recommend them 100% if anyone is reading this in the meantime.