Mazda Warranty extorsion..

4Vman · 02-12-2010, 03:36 PM

Ok, Next time you feel hardly done by when dealing with Ford over warranty issues consider what the competition are doing…

My wife has a new 2010 Mazda CX7 which we picked up in Feb, since Feb it’s been back to the dealer for its 1000k checkup/oil change but to date the car has traveled a mere total of 3500 k’s… Yes it doesn’t go far..!!
The stipulated service intervals are 10000k's..

We got a nasty letter last week from the dealer saying apparently if we don’t service the Mazda AT THAT DEALERSHIP ONLY (clearly stated on the letter) every 6 months I will not only lose my extended warranty but void the manufacturers warranty.

Yes VOID it..

Needless to say I’ve just had a lengthy blue with Mazda about this and they dug in and refused to budge… I even had a service manager try to tell me fuel will contaminate the oil after such a long time …I asked him how the fuel would get into the oil if the car hasn’t been driven… i reminded him the car has only done 3500k's...No Answer… he then stammered and went on to say that the oil only has a limited shelf life and 6 months is pushing it… WTF???

Only after some serious discussions were they prepared to push it out to 10 months but I’m still not happy and I’m taking it further….

gcg2503 · 02-12-2010, 03:40 PM

Crazy scenes!

||| · 02-12-2010, 03:43 PM

did they state that in the paperwork you signed when purchasing the car/warranty?

Smoke Pursuit · 02-12-2010, 03:45 PM

You wont need warranty with a mazda neways.. shread it up.

4Vman · 02-12-2010, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DASH GT

You wont need warranty with a mazda neways.. shread it up.

Yes lets hope so although if they tried to ever reneg they're on very shaky ground...

Mr Hardware · 02-12-2010, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DASH GT

You wont need warranty with a mazda neways.. shread it up.

BS Detected

GTP 044 · 02-12-2010, 04:20 PM

We brought a new Mazda 3 about 2 years ago and the EXTENDED Warranty says that the vehicle has to be serviced by that particular dealer for the duration of the factory AND the extended warranty. If we took it else where, the factory warranty is fine but NOT the extended warranty. Needless to say that since we got the extended warranty thrown in for free and I have found other dealerships to do servicing MUCH cheaper than where I brought the car from, I reckon that I can kiss the extended part goodbye. It doesn't concern me however, as the car is getting put up for sale very soon anyway.

Cheers,
Greg.

metallurg · 02-12-2010, 04:21 PM

I bought a Mazda6 in 2008 and the only good thing I have to say about it is that the dealers and warranty support were good. I got a new transmission after 3,000 km, among many other things.

And the servicing costs have been reasonable - the 40k major service was just over $400, and that's been the most expensive one by far (and they gave me a courtesy car for the day for nix).

I'd be looking for a different dealer, and talking to Mazda Australia directly - I found them very helpful.

**Polyal** · 02-12-2010, 03:55 PM

Yeah I dont think what the guy said would have any legs....

Swordsman88 · 02-12-2010, 03:56 PM

This sounds sus to me. Are you talking with Mazda head office and not just the dealership? I don't doubt that you got that letter from a dealership (they obviusly though you were a sucker and would just take the car in for a service to make them money) but surely mazda itself once informed would be rational.

The dealer hasn't the authority to void your manufacturers waranty anyhow *(though if the extended waranty was with them they could i suppose). As asked above was there any reference to this in the contract?

Mazda has got a bad rep out there on the service interval thing. Its rubbish and everyone knows it. In some cases th eexaxt same engine in a ford has a 15k 12mnth interval but as soon as it goes into a Mazda (who themselves claim to have better build and reliability than ford to the extent of denying the tech is even shared) it goes to 6months and 10k. Mazda has built up its cusomter service image (*in my experience they are quite good) but it wasn't so they'd look good its so they could make more money out of it. The service costs of current mazdas would be some of the highest for a non-premium brand i'd say. 6month shelf life on a modern oil after only 3500km is just ridiculous....

Road_Warrior · 02-12-2010, 04:02 PM

I'd be speaking to the ACCC if I were you...

aussie muscle · 02-12-2010, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

I'd be speaking to the ACCC if I were you...

Yes, i think it's anti-competitive behaviour to not allow others to do servicing. Ultratune even spruik in their adverts that their servicing won't void your manufacturer warranty. i think as long as it's done to a specified level, there's nothing they can do to void warranty.

05_ENFORCER · 02-12-2010, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

I'd be speaking to the ACCC if I were you...

ACA or Today tonight would LOVE this story.

Then see if the service manager is game enough to spruik his BS on national TV

.

sarrge2001 · 02-12-2010, 04:19 PM

If it's a 3rd party extended warranty, most of them specify that you have to service it at the place that sold it to you. Because it isn't a manufacturers warranty, they are allowed to do that.

For Mazda warranty you can get it serviced at any licenced mechanic, same as your Fords or Holdens etc.

If the Mazda warranty lists a maximum service interval in the same way as Ford (ie. 15,000km/6 months) then they can get you if you don't do it every 6 months no matter what the km.

That's probably the explanation he should have given you rather than the "oil shelf life BS"......

4Vman · 02-12-2010, 04:29 PM

Ok, i know enough about the ACCC and manufacturers warranty obligations to know i'm fine if i really want to force the issue, i guess i just wanted to highlight the BS some dealers from other brands will spin to bluff you into using them not only regularly outside of reasonable service intervals but exclusively which we know they can't....

XWGT · 02-12-2010, 04:33 PM

www.notgoodenough.org

Post it loud

flappist · 02-12-2010, 04:35 PM

Just talked to a mate who is DP of a Mazda dealership.

You have been lied to (just a bit:

), speak to Mazda themselves.

4Vman · 02-12-2010, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

Just talked to a mate who is DP of a Mazda dealership.

You have been lied to (just a bit:

), speak to Mazda themselves.

Yes... Mazda H.O is getting a call soon.
While its comforting to know that they're spinning absolute BS (which was my first thought after reading the letter) i wonder how many people spend allot of money more often than needed on unnecessary "over servicing"...

csv8 · 02-12-2010, 04:40 PM

I have a Harrier Warranty on my Fez and Ghia. I have to have it serviced by my Ford dealer,every 6 months or 10,000kms. ($195) But repairs can be done by any dealer, providing they ring my dealer and get permission first. sounds fair enough.

atec77 · 02-12-2010, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Ok, Next time you feel hardly done by when dealing with Ford over warranty issues consider what the competition are doing…

My wife has a new 2010 Mazda CX7 which we picked up in Feb, since Feb it’s been back to the dealer for its 1000k checkup/oil change but to date the car has traveled a mere total of 3500 k’s… Yes it doesn’t go far..!!
The stipulated service intervals are 10000k's..

We got a nasty letter last week from the dealer saying apparently if we don’t service the Mazda AT THAT DEALERSHIP ONLY (clearly stated on the letter) every 6 months I will not only lose my extended warranty but void the manufacturers warranty.

Yes VOID it..

Needless to say I’ve just had a lengthy blue with Mazda about this and they dug in and refused to budge… I even had a service manager try to tell me fuel will contaminate the oil after such a long time …I asked him how the fuel would get into the oil if the car hasn’t been driven… i reminded him the car has only done 3500k's...No Answer… he then stammered and went on to say that the oil only has a limited shelf life and 6 months is pushing it… WTF???

Only after some serious discussions were they prepared to push it out to 10 months but I’m still not happy and I’m taking it further….

BS detector is screaming , things have changed a lot and with the lemon laws on the horizon I suggest you read the paperwork with care , any authorised dealer may service the factory warranty and the 3rd party thingis worthless anyway , you have the expectation of
"reasonable warranty"" and the lie they are claiming will be a boot in the butt when you complain to head offce ,good luck with it

mik · 02-12-2010, 04:51 PM

that would be enough for me to say stick your warranty where the sun don`t shine and my next car won`t be comeing from your dealership !!

4Vman · 02-12-2010, 04:54 PM

Ok, update, spoke with Mazda H.O.

As first thought....

Long story short the Factory warranty will NOT be voided at all if i don't service every 6 months, the important number to them is 10000k's. I don't have to use a Mazda dealership either.

Second point is Mazda do not provide/honor the extended warranty, the dealership do and its a very limited umbrella..

Their words: the dealers offer these "warranty's" as a carrot and make you believe its a full manufacturers cover then "bluff you" to keep using them for service.. it effectively guarantee's them at least 2 services a year for 4 years and in many cases much more regularly than needed .....

So its a thinly veiled scam....

FTE72 · 03-12-2010, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Their words: the dealers offer these "warranty's" as a carrot and make you believe its a full manufacturers cover then "bluff you" to keep using them for service.. it effectively guarantee's them at least 2 services a year for 4 years and in many cases much more regularly than needed .....

So its a thinly veiled scam....

This is always the case with the dealer "extended warranties" They also consider the service manual as a "rough guide" for the required fluids and lubricants if you have fixed price servicing on your car that actually requires premium lubricants. eg $20 valvoline used instead of factory specified Mobil 1 for instance( No oil debates required thanks).
Waste of paper these dealer warranties.

302 XC · 02-12-2010, 04:56 PM

Well i dont feel so bad now
Especially with the ford courier we bought new a few years ago
The rat bag idiots in the dealership kept saying "We have to get permission from ford for warranty claims"
Yeah while they have you bent over !!!
Drive it home jimmy !!!
Took to another dealership they looked at the problem and said no issue at all with warranty claim !!!
Some of these dealerships should be complained about to the manufacturer then they mite loose their dealership
Never ever will i buy a new car again

4Vman · 02-12-2010, 05:00 PM

By the way, its Garry and Warren Smith MAZDA in case anyone else is buying a new car from them, GREAT cars, but just beware of the BS and stand your ground........

The DP there should have received his H.O "review" call by now.....

x series · 02-12-2010, 05:21 PM

The fact that you the owner have already pay for the warranty in with the price the car,then when your service come up mths or kms they has got you over a barrel with $1000.00 service fee, the dealer is the one who is double dipping things are tough at the monent this why they put over WOMEN strand your ground and tell to stick it !

prydey · 02-12-2010, 05:25 PM

i know oils have improved a lot and most cars now run a semi or full synthetic oil but if you do low km/year, then its best to go by time not km. no way i'd be going beyond 12mnths between changes. i know ford specify 15000km/12mnths and i would imagine mazda would also have a time limit as well as the 10000km.

i think whats most obvious here is that a lot of dealers are so used to dealing with people who have no clue about cars that they start believing their own drivel. then one day someone questions them and this is what happens.

irlewy86 · 02-12-2010, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

....No Answer… he then stammered and went on to say that the oil only has a limited shelf life and 6 months is pushing it… WTF???

I'm fairly sure some additives in the oil are only good for about 12 months. Of course you can actually replace the additives without changing the oil.

I wouldn't bother with ACCC, rather go to the MTA.

glavas · 02-12-2010, 05:33 PM

whats the big deal? your ment to service a car every 6 months or 5000km whatever comes first. Thats the best way to keep a car running good. i travel around 10000km a year and still get my cars serviced every 6 months.

b0son · 02-12-2010, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glavas

whats the big deal? your ment to service a car every 6 months or 5000km whatever comes first. Thats the best way to keep a car running good. i travel around 10000km a year and still get my cars serviced every 6 months.

this is *ford* forums, not ferrari forums - we're all tight ***** here :P