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Mazda CX-5 - Car buying help if over 100k miles? Is it safe? - Richard Burroughs

Hi all,

I'm looking to buy a Automatic SUV and was looking at this Mazda CX-5, Its top trim but has over 100k miles but will full main dealership history and is only 5 years old (2019). What are your thoughts? Would there be alot of service stuff to pay as it done over 100k? Sorry i'm not very experienced on this.

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307129566156?s...a

Thankyou so much. I have a family and we are planning to have a 2nd one and my wife needs it to be automatic and a SUV

Mazda CX-5 - Car buying help if over 100k miles? Is it safe? - Falkirk Bairn

Diesel forget it - Mazda has a bad reputation for even low mileages far less 100K

Just Google Mazda and Diesel loads of plenty bad experiences

Petrol Mazdas are amongst the best engines.

Edited by Falkirk Bairn on 27/05/2024 at 19:39

Mazda CX-5 - Car buying help if over 100k miles? Is it safe? - Adampr

Don't buy a diesel Mazda.

Mazda CX-5 - Car buying help if over 100k miles? Is it safe? - Adampr

If you want a dependable SUV at that budget and in a similar area, I'd look at these for starters.

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403267968926

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404038246558

Mazda CX-5 - Car buying help if over 100k miles? Is it safe? - Engineer Andy

Don't buy a diesel Mazda.

To be fair, a well-maintained high mileage diesel would likely be a better bet for reliability than a low mileage one, as the chances of the former doing essentially all longer trips where active DPF regens aren't required will be many magnitudes higher, and thus many reliability issues associated with repeated short trips from cold (and thus likely interrupted active DPF regens) will be minimal.

Essentially the car has been doing 20,000 miles per year. I would thus hope that the car has been serviced more often than just once a year, assuming the manufacturer's interval is 12,500 as their petrol cars (I haven't checked - please confirm).

I don't think they ever had an 'extended' service interval requirement like many of the German makes. IO would certainly want to know if (especially over the last 2 years) whether the car has been doing short trips regularly - I've come across some cars over the past year years doing astronomical mileage under its first owner (hire car?), then almost nothing on the next. That would mean for certain diesels that DPX / fuel dilution problems would be now emerging.

It might not have been so bad for a one-owner older car (I mean early 1st gen car, not the 2nd) with a proven, complete usage and full service history / evidence of high TLC ownership along with a low selling price. You could offset the risk via the lower purchase price.

Still, I'd much rather go with a gen-2, 2L (SA-G) petrol (shame they never sold the 2.5L SA-G in anything other than the 4WD top-spec version) for [reliability] peace of mind - too much of a potentially very expensive risk on a diesel.

Mazda CX-5 - Car buying help if over 100k miles? Is it safe? - Richard Burroughs

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the replies. I'm interested in the Mazda CX5 as i had a mazda in the past and it was such a good car and i feel like they are underrated. I've just been looking at petrol version's instead from your feedback and i've round this one:

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404078384957?s...a

If you guys think this car s good is £15k a bit too low of an offer?

Its 78k miles and its petrol instead so it avoids the diesel issue. Also thanks for the suggestion on the RAV 4 i'll start looking at them now :)

Edited by Richard Burroughs on 27/05/2024 at 20:18

Mazda CX-5 - Car buying help if over 100k miles? Is it safe? - Adampr

Looks a nice car if the service and ownership.history all check out, and you have a decent look and test drive.

Worth noting that the Bose sound system means you have a silly sub in the boot and no space for a spare wheel (if that matters to you).

I don't think it's absurd to offer £15k. Whether it is accepted or not probably depends on the seller's circumstances and how long it's been listed for. Stick the details into WBAC or Motorway and you'll get a decent idea of what a dealer will pay them. If you're offering more than that, they will be at least a little interested.

Mazda CX-5 - Car buying help if over 100k miles? Is it safe? - FP

"... the Bose sound system means you have a silly sub in the boot and no space for a spare wheel..."

Really? The Bose sound system in my CX-5 (2014 reg) has no speaker in the boot. And there's no spare wheel anyway - just a powered tyre pump and a can of goo.

Mazda CX-5 - Car buying help if over 100k miles? Is it safe? - Adampr

"... the Bose sound system means you have a silly sub in the boot and no space for a spare wheel..."

Really? The Bose sound system in my CX-5 (2014 reg) has no speaker in the boot. And there's no spare wheel anyway - just a powered tyre pump and a can of goo.

Yep. There's a photo of it in the ad.

Mazda CX-5 - Car buying help if over 100k miles? Is it safe? - groaver

If you have been driving a forced-induction engine (turbo) car before considering this; make sure you get a good test drive as you may find it "lacks poke".

It's an old fashioned engine in the sense it needs to be rev'd to get some performance.

I'm getting high 30's mpg with mostly town/country driving.

Edited by groaver on 27/05/2024 at 22:12

Mazda CX-5 - Car buying help if over 100k miles? Is it safe? - FoxyJukebox
I have driven a CX3-petrol- for the last 6 years that has been an excellent experience with 25,000 miles covered.
I have just had a major service which included front brake pads and discs renewal( £850) then following an MOT advisable decided to replace 2 tyres. This coincided with the battery needing to be replaced. Tyres and battery-£650.
I thought you might be interested in these maintenance costs, the CX3 having a pretty similar maintenance programme as a CX5
Mazda CX-5 - Car buying help if over 100k miles? Is it safe? - FP

I've run my CX-5 (petrol), 2014, for 8 years now (65000 on the clock) and agree with most of the comments above. I like the car very much. It suits my fairly relaxed driving style. Lots of room, very comfortable and it handles very well.

It has been super reliable - rear disks replaced, six tyres replaced and servicing being the only expenses, though as I write it is with my local indy to investigate and remedy a suspension knock which I suspect is a front anti-roll bar mounting. Original exhaust and battery.

Just returned from a long trip north showing average fuel consumption over 50 mpg. Less, of course, with local journeys.

Edited by FP on 28/05/2024 at 11:23

Mazda CX-5 - Car buying help if over 100k miles? Is it safe? - FP

Update on the above, in case anyone's interested.

Just got the car back. As I thought, it was the front anti-roll bar (aka front stabiliser), though not mountings as such - they have "links" with bearings that have now been replaced on both sides. Surprisingly cheap - parts 2 x £20, plus labour £60.

As this (plus the rear disks) has been the only repair involving non-consumables in nearly eight years I'm pretty pleased.

Mazda CX-5 - Car buying help if over 100k miles? Is it safe? - Engineer Andy

Update on the above, in case anyone's interested.

Just got the car back. As I thought, it was the front anti-roll bar (aka front stabiliser), though not mountings as such - they have "links" with bearings that have now been replaced on both sides. Surprisingly cheap - parts 2 x £20, plus labour £60.

As this (plus the rear disks) has been the only repair involving non-consumables in nearly eight years I'm pretty pleased.

Was that done at a main dealer or indie, using OEM or pattern parts? Seems like a great deal on price there, and worth a shout out either way.

Mazda CX-5 - Car buying help if over 100k miles? Is it safe? - FP

"Was that done at a main dealer or indie, using OEM or pattern parts?"

As I said further up, it was my trusted indie who did the job. He and his father are a small outfit kept pretty busy by locals among whom they have a good reputation. They have serviced my cars for years and I trust them completely.

I don't know, but I assume the parts were not genuine Mazda, which I might have been unhappy about if the repair had involved something more critical.

Mazda CX-5 - Car buying help if over 100k miles? Is it safe? - Engineer Andy

"Was that done at a main dealer or indie, using OEM or pattern parts?"

As I said further up, it was my trusted indie who did the job. He and his father are a small outfit kept pretty busy by locals among whom they have a good reputation. They have serviced my cars for years and I trust them completely.

I don't know, but I assume the parts were not genuine Mazda, which I might have been unhappy about if the repair had involved something more critical.

TBH I was wondering about the price than quality, as I've been offered 'pattern' parts at my main dealer and indies (for my car's clutch change some years ago) when they had shortages, some of which were Bosch, which would be perfectly fine in terms of quality.

A good indie can certainly have vast benefits. A shame that Mazda main dealers tend to be so variable in quality on the post-sales front.

Mazda CX-5 - Car buying help if over 100k miles? Is it safe? - alan1302

A shame that Mazda main dealers tend to be so variable in quality on the post-sales front.

Can that not be said about all makes though?

Mazda CX-5 - Car buying help if over 100k miles? Is it safe? - Engineer Andy

A shame that Mazda main dealers tend to be so variable in quality on the post-sales front.

Can that not be said about all makes though?

To a small degree - there's always a variation across all makes, but I think Mazda dealers tend to vary more on the maintenance side of things than other Japanese makes. Aside from perhaps Nissan (post Renault tie-up), the other Japanese makes to tend to congregate nearer the good end; Euro makes nearer the middle and 'British' makes a bit further towards the 'poor' side.

Mazda CX-5 - Car buying help if over 100k miles? Is it safe? - Engineer Andy
I have driven a CX3-petrol- for the last 6 years that has been an excellent experience with 25,000 miles covered. I have just had a major service which included front brake pads and discs renewal( £850) then following an MOT advisable decided to replace 2 tyres. This coincided with the battery needing to be replaced. Tyres and battery-£650. I thought you might be interested in these maintenance costs, the CX3 having a pretty similar maintenance programme as a CX5

I seriously considered one when looking to replace my (then) 11yo Mazda3 back in early 2017 - what put me off was them being overpriced*, new or second hand (and still does - compared to the 3, 6 and CX-5 [same issue goes for it's successor, the larger CX-30]) and the lack of interior (as a Mazda2) & boot space, especially if you get the version that utilises the spare wheel are for ICE kit.

Nice styling and to drive though (not quick, but fine), especially the very smooth auto 2L petrol SE-L spec version shod on sensible 16in rims.

Mazda CX-5 - Car buying help if over 100k miles? Is it safe? - Ian D
OP - If you download the Total Car Check app and register and type in the number plate (all free, you only pay for HPI type checks) it lists the history of the attempted car sale/prices on auto trader, that petrol CX-5 has been for sale since the 6th January at various prices, have a look and it puts you at an advantage with negotiations. I have nothing to do with that App but have used it for years, also helps identify the Traders that are lying through their teeth about how long the car has been up for sale, it will be snapped up today etc etc!!

Edited by Ian D on 28/05/2024 at 15:46

Mazda CX-5 - Car buying help if over 100k miles? Is it safe? - galileo
I have driven a CX3-petrol- for the last 6 years that has been an excellent experience with 25,000 miles covered. I have just had a major service which included front brake pads and discs renewal( £850) then following an MOT advisable decided to replace 2 tyres. This coincided with the battery needing to be replaced. Tyres and battery-£650. I thought you might be interested in these maintenance costs, the CX3 having a pretty similar maintenance programme as a CX5

Needing new discs at 25000 miles suggests a lot of braking involved, my i30 had new ones at 83000 miles, they were still serviceable with only slight grooving.

In the local area, which has lots of long and steep hills, I often follow drivers who adhere to the "gears to go, brakes to slow" philosophy, riding brakes all the way down.

Mazda CX-5 - Car buying help if over 100k miles? Is it safe? - FoxyJukebox
Well-I definitely needed the pads and the Indy garage advised having the discs done at the same time( “we always recomend this”). I thought I’d go with this advice -hoping the car will last a few more years ,sail through next spring’s MOT and with my low mileage probably just have a short service at the same time.
In this particular instance I can see the sense in changing 6 yr old discs and pads together.

Edited by FoxyJukebox on 29/05/2024 at 11:54

Mazda CX-5 - Car buying help if over 100k miles? Is it safe? - FP

"... I can see the sense in changing 6 yr old discs and pads together."

Yes and no. I had my rear disks changed because they were scored and had a large rust "rim". If you fit new disks you usually fit new pads as well. But changing the disks if they're undamaged and still retain their required thickness - no, I wouldn't.

And it's not unknown for garages to suggest superfluous work.

Edited by FP on 29/05/2024 at 13:05