I'm surprised by the number of people who have said 'should of got it serviced by Mazda'! Probably the same people that complain how st main dealers are on other threads

Nope. Not me anyway.

Anytime me or wifie buy a new car its always main dealer serviced until its at least four years old - not that they're normally kept that long.

But he didn't use a reputable Indy.

A lot of my customers use a local independent for servicing on their new cars, but he is exactly that. He knows the product, specialises in just that one brand and has access to all the correct tools, updates and checks everything he should. His livelihood depends on it.

Chain of garages = oil and filter changes, tell you if you need brakes/tyres and off you go. Job jobbed.

Is the 3k for a repair or new engine? If its the latter that isn't "that bad".

These two statements are at odds with each other really. You're right, a car doesn't have to be serviced at a main dealer to maintain the warranty - But in this case the warranty has expired

Goodwill from the manufacturer is based on the customers goodwill to them, which in this case is precisely nothing - He bought th car outside of their dealer network, and had it serviced outside of the dealer network, so his spend with Mazda UK is £0.00 - Now that it's gone wrong out of warranty, you think that Mazda UK should contribute towards the repair?

Not on a virtually new car within its warranty period you wouldn't.

You are right in that your new car warranty won't be affected by using a VAT registered garage to fit parts of equivalent quality, the OP here though is hoping for goodwill for a job outside of the new car warranty.

With a car bought outside of the dealer network, serviced out of the dealer network and out of manufacturers new car warranty in my opinion there is sod all chance of a goodwill payment.

I understand that. I am still feeling that a timing chain shouldn't be slipping after 3 years 50k regardless. Mazda did make the car. I am not saying Mazda should pay up fully. but I think if its been serviced correctly then Mazda do have some responsibility. timing chains are fitted for the life of the car, yes they need tensioning but If that's been done correctly. it should be working indefinitely. if I were in the OP's shoes I would raise this point with Mazda UK.

but then my point all hinges on who and how it was serviced. if its the well know high street brand I am thinking of, there's a good chance its never even had its oil filter changed. so there's no chance the timing chain has been tensioned.

VR

So many examples/stories I could reel off over the years but ultimately, manufacturers do customer loyalty rather seriously when it comes to situations like this. Had the car been bought, serviced and repaired within a dealer network, thus showing the the customer is loyal to the brand, in a non-warranty case such as this the manufacturer will be more likely to offer a goodwill gesture.

Buying a nearly new car at Kerbside Motors, not visiting the dealer for any servicing or repairs and then when something fails outwith the warranty period (which could already be null and void if non genuine parts have ben used in the first three years or the recommended service schedule wasn't followed) you arrive cap in ahdn and expect it to be sorted for free... highly unlikely the manufacturer will be interested.

At the very least they may ask the dealer to strip the car down and assess the reason for failure howevr you, the customer will be liable for that even if it's a common fault. Bear in mind, common faults don't always mean the manufacturer will accept liability. If it's a known fault and thus a recall is actioned then you're either contacted using in house data or data from the DVLA but that's generally for more serious issues where you must have it actioned.

However, as has been said it's possible there have been various technical updates issued over the years which are NOT safety related but are actioned when a car comes through the dealer network. I've been involved in countless cases where a car has come in for something simple, a bulb perhaps or a tyre... the details are checked and there are some updates to be actioned F.O.C. These can range from changing the routing or a wire to rather extensive mechanical work.

Yes, dealers are slated left, right and centre but in some cases it can be benefical to show loyalty to the brand especially within the warranty period. Ok so servicing my be dearer than independants but I've lost count of how many 'warranty' issues have been resolved at the time of servicing, issues which would have never been actioned had the car not been through the dealers doors.

I'm not saying in this case Mazda will wash it's hands (though they are within their rights) however walking in with an erratically stamped service book with not one stamp being a Mazda dealer and having bought the car outwith the network, that really won't help the case at all. Chances are, if they are even prepared to listen, the first thing they'll ask for is proof that the car has been serviced exactly on schedule and they'll also want proof that genuine parts were used. "I'll use filters from the factors, they're just as good and half the price" = cheerio warranty and any potential goodwill gesture after the 3yrs/60k is up.

Best of luck

More likely

The car supermarket sold him the car with no service book (lost, or clocked?)
The car has a service indicator to tell you when its next due (eg on mileage or time?).