Mazda sticks by servicing program

MAZDA Australia will not offer a capped-price servicing package on its crucial, new-generation Mazda3, one of the only models in the competitive small-car segment to forgo the aftersales assurance program.

In comparison, the Mazda3’s closest rivals, the best-selling Toyota Corolla and Hyundai i30, both offer capped-price servicing.

When the new Mazda3 arrives in April, it will also be the most expensive of the three, with pricing starting at $24,990 plus on-road costs, while the Corolla and i30 check in at $22,870 and $19,990 respectively.

Speaking at the local reveal of the new-generation Mazda3, Mazda Australia marketing director Alastair Doak defended the brand’s service strategy.

“We don’t do (capped-price servicing), we offer great value for money with our servicing,” he said.

“It’s published on our website, so you can see how much your next service will be ahead of time, but we don’t discount servicing. We think we charge a fair and reasonable amount, and we give a very high standard of servicing.”

Toyota Australia offers its Toyota Service Advantage program for all of its models, with the Corolla service intervals set at 12 months or 15,000 kilometres – whichever comes first.

With Toyota Service Advantage, Corolla owners can pay just $175 for each of the first four visits over 48 months or 60,000 kilometres.

However, the Mazda3’s service intervals are shorter – at 10,000km – while its online service price calculator could fluctuate in cost at any moment.

Hyundai also offers a five-year assurance program and a fully transferable Lifetime Service Plan for all of its models, with the i30 costing $279 per service every 15,000km/12 months.

The Mazda3 achieved its second-best-seller status with 31,065 total registrations in 2018, while the Toyota Corolla managed 35,320 sales and the Hyundai i30 took bronze with 28,188 units moved.