I'm in the market for a new family car. Driving around 10k a year 75% of which will be motorway. Had my head set on a sport model. The more I have looked into them I have heard so many horror stories regarding the timing chain. Is this just scare mungry or would a used 2010 be a bad option.

 

You want 1 with at least 100,000km on the clock, so you know its been regularly driven. Also it needs to to have an absolutely perfect service history, no gaps, no late services. Even if you think you will only drive 10,000kms year, you must service it every 6 months with only genuine Mazda DL1 engine oil. And also get a full & proper mechanical inspection carried out, starting with the engine dead cold.

 

Thanks for the reply. All mazda servicing seems to be digitalised taking it's been done at the dealer. Is there any way of checking this. Also is there anyway of checking the health of the timing chain visually?

 

They still have service books. If they can't present it, walk away.


No you can't really visually inspect the chain.

Using the genuine Mazda Scan tool, you can look up real time data showing the difference between the camshaft & crankshaft positions, which can show if the chain is stretched.