Mazda CX-3 Breakdown - Can't Get Loan Car

desertsand on 14/11/2020 - 11:08
Last edited 14/11/2020 - 12:28 by 1 other user

Hello OzBargain,

Just looking for some advice from you guys.

I have a less than 2 years old Mazda that just died on a Friday night after work. It just wouldn’t start. I have roadside assistance, so called them up.

First mechanic comes around, jump starts it and says it’s not the battery but the alternator and the car is not safe to drive and it has to be towed. Tow guy comes, jump starts the car, I drive the car for 300 meters to somewhere some spacious and second guy says it’s not the alternator otherwise I wouldn’t be able to drive it at all but the car is not safe to drive.

I have the option to choose where to have the car towed to. I choose the dealership but service department is closed on the weekends and car will be towed on Monday and be stored somewhere over the weekend. I think all is good, I’ll get an Uber home ($50 dollars but ok), and will call the dealership on Saturday to organise a loan car while the car is being repaired.

Dealership 1 says they don’t have any loan car available, try dealership 2. Dealership 2 says they don’t have any loan cars available either and call Mazda roadside assistance again to see if they can organise a hire car. Roadside assistance says my policy doesn’t cover it. Insurance company (comprehensive) says my policy doesn’t cover it either because it wasn’t an accident.

Any ideas here? I appreciate any advices.

Tl;dr: New Mazda breaks down on Friday night. Mazda doesn’t have any loan cars available. Insurance and road assistance are a no. I need a car. What to do?

Thank you!

Automotive Car Mazda

Comments

    • brendanm on 15/11/2020 - 18:49

      Camshaft Positioning Sensor

      Doesn't stop a vehicle cranking.

  • pwnd on 15/11/2020 - 11:25
    +3

    The car broke down on Friday night? How are we at without a car for 4 days? It’s Sunday morning. You have been without a car for 1.5 days and you are already kicking off…

    • desertsand on 15/11/2020 - 18:26
      -2

      Car broke down Friday night after work. Couldn’t drive it back home. Service is closed on the weekends. They will tow it to the dealership on Monday.

    • Zachary on 19/11/2020 - 04:51

      well i would be pretty pissed without a car and I needed it to get to work asap……

  • gmdarts on 15/11/2020 - 12:04

    did it just stop or went into what is called limp mode fist?

  • SelfMade on 15/11/2020 - 12:06
    +3

    If this was a European car, all the broke members of this forum would've come out to advise that the OP should've got a 'more reliable' car, aka Mazda/Toyota…LoL

  • rocketpoweredmice on 15/11/2020 - 12:17
    +5

    Even if loan cars etc. are a courtesy commonly offered by dealers/mechanics/panel beaters, that does not make it your right to have one. It is a courtesy/marketing tool and reliant on their goodwill, not a requirement on their business.
    Your situation is unfortunate in that it's fallen in the cracks between your various covers/contracts/products.
    However, continuing to insist that somone else picks up the tab for your misfortune, when you have already explained to us that no one legally has to, will make people think of you as unreasonably "entitled".

    My advice would be to get an ETA on the repair asap Monday. And then based on that, ask/plead nicely again for a loaner, or organise a cheap short term rental.

    I also suggest you compare what is covered on various levels of other road assistance products (eg RACV/AAMI etc.) to help you understand what is normally covered by such products and whether you should buy a different cover that meets your expectations.

  • Ryk on 15/11/2020 - 13:12
    +2

    Perhaps you need to consider a new car every 12 months.

    • athk on 16/11/2020 - 09:50
      +2

      Apple car?

  • UFO on 15/11/2020 - 15:25
    +2

    I get what OP is saying. He has a relatively new car (2 years old) and hasn't expected it to breakdown so soon.

    But that's the thing, breakdowns ARE unexpected…. and they DO happen to all cars, regardless of age and price.

    I would assume the nearest dealership has a service department that is booked out for at least a week ahead of time, most likely more.

    They are already getting him in for an emergency service on Monday (car broke down Friday?), so what else can they realistically do for him?

    A loan car for a car driven off the lot within the last month? Reasonable to expect, but may not happen.
    A car a few years old that can be fixed in one day? Likelihood of loan car? Virtually zero.
    Unless the engine fell out of it or some other catastrophic failure where car would be out of action for a few weeks.

    A one day service (or even overnight service)? NO LOAN CAR FOR YOU!

    • Zachary on 19/11/2020 - 04:52

      Unless the engine fell out of it or some other catastrophic failure where car would be out of action for a few weeks.

      I had one guy told a story of someone's transmission blowing….

  • CocaKoala on 15/11/2020 - 15:30

    Not sure what answer are you expecting here. The dealer can't lend you a car but you need one. So hire one. What exactly is the big confusion or mystery?

  • vdshih on 15/11/2020 - 16:10

    Still covered under Mazda's "New Car" warranty.

  • xuqi on 15/11/2020 - 17:17

    Read the ACCC document to see whether you're entitled to anything:

    https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/1449_ACL%20Motor%20vehi…

    Call them to enquire about your specific circumstance.

    Given their exorbitant insurance excess (normally $2000+ from my experience), I wouldn't bother with a dealer loan car.

    What happens if you happen to be involved in an accident whilst driving the loan car?

  • smartazz104 on 15/11/2020 - 20:10
    +3

    OP must live in one of the suburbs that the guy with 5 cars works in, no public transport anywhere…

    • desertsand on 26/11/2020 - 15:19

      Lol! Pretty much!

  • Tleyx on 15/11/2020 - 20:23
    +2

    This is why new cars are a rip off . If you had a second hand camry you could rent the hire car with savings.

  • casho on 15/11/2020 - 21:08
    +2

    Insert "japanese cars are so reliable" Flame suit on. If this was a Euro car you'd all be laughing "haha told you it would break"

  • whitelie on 15/11/2020 - 21:17

    Not sure what you are expecting if it isn't in any of the contracts? In comparison, the aftermarket, extended warranty I purchased with a used car recently says they will reimburse you $150/day for a rental car if you are without a car for more than 2 days.

  • nephilim on 15/11/2020 - 21:25
    +2

    Check Nissan fb, they give tradies micra's

    • Dealseeker21 on 15/11/2020 - 21:49

      Toyota gave my mate with a Sahara, a Yarris

  • Dealseeker21 on 15/11/2020 - 21:48

    Let this be a lesson to not buy a Mazda again

  • kachi on 15/11/2020 - 22:16

    I kind of see both sides but if you will be expected to have the car back in less than a week or so, I would just cut your losses and take PT or hire a car (check out goget)….You can ask if they can reimburse your costs. Unexpected things happen..I personally would say a 2 year old car purchased new is still new, no way is it 'old'. I know generally most businesses you aren't entitled to a loan, it's just subject to availability. i.e when I took a recently purchased samsung phone for diagnosis/repairs as it was acting up they only offered loan phones if they had some available.

  • Kamsi on 15/11/2020 - 22:37
    +2

    I normally don't comment on this type of thread because it f***ing B.S.

    But if there is such people exit in this world who is totally utterly brain dead of unable to think of alternative idea of travel to work when his/her car broken down for repairs is a joke of the human race.

    • desertsand on 26/11/2020 - 15:20

      Thanks! See update.

  • CalmLemons on 16/11/2020 - 01:03
    +2

    This is life. You figure out a way to fix it/find another method of transport - because that is the fun in life in finding solutions to problems, not expecting someone else to provide you a service that is not promised.

    When cavemen couldn't find a meal for a day, they kept hunting or looked elsewhere or tried other methods.

    You're probably not going to find the nicest answers on here.

    Edit: Just wait and see what happens Monday. BE NICE.

  • Dalton on 16/11/2020 - 01:10
    +1

    Buy new car from dealer, return within cooling off period. Or, really long test drive.

  • Cave Fire on 16/11/2020 - 03:18

    Yep similar situation happened to my parents with a Mazda 3 not starting at home. Supposed to get free replacement as it was an RACQ battery under warranty. RACQ tested and said it wasn't the battery. Paid for tow to nearby mechanic. Luckily, the mechanic was honest and said it was just a battery.

    Read that the roadside assistance guys can't give out too many batteries as they have a quota for that. Guessing there's also an incentive to arrange towing. Hopefully ends up just being a battery.

  • brad1-8tsi on 16/11/2020 - 07:29

    Do you have Mazda Premium Assistance? That should cover your Uber.

    Unfortunately Mazda doesn't appear to provide Hire Cars at a corporate level.

    It telling on the dealership(s) that they can't offer anything for a car that is in warranty. With my Skoda I always got a free loaner for breakdowns (1x) and all the services.

    If you feel really incensed then escalate upwards.

  • junet on 16/11/2020 - 09:34
    +1

    My Kia car broke down within warranty earlier this year. Kia towed the car to the nearest dealership, had to organise my own way home. Waited a few days for them to assess the problem, they didn't commit to a replacement car so had to look into car hire with AVIS/Budget, etc.

    Once Kia decided it was an in-warranty repair they organised a replacement car for me via Right2Drive https://www.right2drive.com.au/ and it was dropped off in my driveway. Ended up having the replacement car for around 2 months while my car was being fixed. Kia ended up doing a full engine replacement under warranty.

    • CalmLemons on 16/11/2020 - 22:45

      Really? What model car was it? Do you drive rough or tough roads where you are?

      • junet on 17/11/2020 - 08:59

        It’s a Cerato 2015 and broke down at 67k. It used to do a lot driving to regional for work before covid so lots of freeways. Don’t think it was that rough driving, but could be wrong. Overall the warranty experience was great with Kia so I’m more likely to purchase the brand again even though there was a problem.

  • Dr Techno on 16/11/2020 - 11:03
    +1

    I had a friend in a similar situation. Alternator was dead and battery was flat, lucky he broke down at my local shopping centre. It was cheaper for him to buy a new battery from Kmart which was already fully charged. Helped him replace it in the car park, then he would have enough battery juice to drive his car home. Then he charged the battery at home so he could drive it again to his mechanic. Simple test to see if its the alternator would be to charge or replace with fully charged battery and see if it runs. checking with a multimeter is the proper test if you have one handy. weird that alternator would die on a 2 yo car unless it was defeative from manufacturing. anything less than 5 years old, feel like a new car to me :P

  • jjjia on 16/11/2020 - 11:40

    If you want to hire a car, try Car Next Door and see if you area has anyone sharing their car. It might work out to be cheaper depending on how many kms you travel per day.

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 16/11/2020 - 11:42
    +1

    If you purchased the car new and it is only 2 years old Mazdas generally come with 5 year warranties?

  • modiika on 16/11/2020 - 13:15
    +2

    Lots of comments in here that 2 years is an old car. I think for most people a car bought about 2 years is ago, is still very much a new car, hell they might even still be selling that exact MY on the floor. Look at this thread lots of people confused as they are asking if its under warranty.

    I think a major break down (requiring towing) in the first 2-3 years of ownership is not expected, and seems like a perfectly reasonable expectation to get a loan car when half this thread is filled with people saying they got one for their breakdown, it just seems something Mazda doesnt guarantee. And honestly, the people who are having their car serviced need a loan car that seems a bit rich to me? Just reorganise one of those schedules. Surely thats less inconvient if it means customers know that when a break down which is the fault of Mazda's manufacturing or servicing that they can have a loan car.

    Of course, it's also not reasonable to expect a loan car if its just out for 1 working day. A lot of people here assuming itll be fixed on monday, but he's had different assessments of what the problem may be, so i think its reasonable to expect one if he's told it'll be more than 1-2 working days. He's out of luck its a friday night when it happened.

  • Oofy Doofy on 16/11/2020 - 14:09
    +1

    Do what I eventually decided to do….have two cars, for times just like these.

    • gimme on 16/11/2020 - 14:17

      name checks out

      • Oofy Doofy on 16/11/2020 - 23:22
        +1

        Absolutely makes sense though, it's a backup..what are the chances of two cars being off the road at the same time? One is used infrequently and battery is kept charged by an amorphous solar panel, the other is a main use vehicle… Saves me when getting vehicle serviced… Many benefits. Third party insurance and rare tanks of fuel… It's cheap insurance.

        • gimme on 16/11/2020 - 23:26

          Same here. I have 2 houses just in case my main one gets hit by lightning or the toilet breaks.

          • fredk1000 on 17/11/2020 - 21:15

            @gimme: You guys think too small.
            Get dual citizenship.

            Or bigger, have a rocket in your back yard ready to go or a interdimensional portal.

        • Zachary on 19/11/2020 - 04:55

          Heard you gotta at least let the battery to discharge fully once in a while or else you might get the memory effect…..

          • cwongtech on 19/11/2020 - 09:38

            @Zachary: These are lead - sulfuric acid car batteries.. there's no memory effect
            Memory effect is for Nickel Cadium rechargeable batteries and Nickel Metal hydride batteries.

          • Oofy Doofy on 19/11/2020 - 10:12

            @Zachary: Are you thinking an ECU memory keep device you plug into an OBD port? They're about $30 and that's totally unrelated.

            Magic number is 12.4v for a vehicle battery, you don't want it to discharge below that figure. (You also want it to hold a charge above that figure, otherwise start considering a new battery)

            I have a digital battery tester, including load testing, ripple, data logging etc. Autel make a good one, check eBay.

  • postform on 16/11/2020 - 15:27
    -4

    OP that really sucks. I'm glad you brought it up. Can you possibly name and shame the dealership? I'm actually in the market for a new car but now reading this (year 2 is not old so stop being d**ks. I reckon all the trolls who are saying crap to OP if they got in a similar situation, they wouldn't react the same)

    I was considering Mazda 3 but since hearing a lot of stories from Mazda's post-purchase support I think I won't purchase a Mazda as my next car.

    How hard would it be to just take care of your customers (Which to them wouldn't cost too much for convenience, especially considering they attract a market premium cause they are trying to market themselves are a "luxury" brand in the mid-level price range) This certainly won't look good on them.

    • UFO on 16/11/2020 - 16:49
      +3

      a) Naming and shaming the dealership would be very unfair. They haven't done anything wrong.

      b) I don't think anyone in the thread said 2 years is old. But 2 years is definitely not new.

      c) Mazda is a very reliable brand. If you're basing your purchase decision on "post-purchase support", I suggest you deeply research that same "post-purchase support" offered by competitors at the same price point. If you're buying a luxury brand/model, expectations on post sale would be very different to middle of the road Mazda, Kia, Hyundai etc.

      d) What do you expect a car manufacturer to do in this instance? Have hundreds of cars sitting in the lot just waiting to offer them all out for loan vehicles for even the most minor of breakdowns? If you desperately need a car on breakdown the solution is simple- hire one. It's unrealistic to demand a dealership give a free loan car on any breakdown. I think if the engine fell out or blew up and repairs would likely take an extended period of time, then I think expecting some level of "post-purchase support" would be warranted on a 2yo car.

      BUT IT WOULDN'T BE MANDATORY. Not at this price level. People need to get realistic on what should be expected in this instance. Mazda in this instance would be no different to any other dealer. Car to be given if available, if not… tough!
      The dealer has obviously put the car in for an emergency service, most likely at the inconvenience of other people who've booked a week or two in advance.
      They would be trying their best to have this fixed ASAP- most likely TODAY.
      THAT is something that should be expected, the dealer to try their best.
      Not to offer free cars to any and everyone for even a basic reapir.

      • postform on 17/11/2020 - 01:37

        Well if this happens to you I wonder if you would complain too.

        Ok fine fair points. But I have heard Mazda's after market support really sucks.

        I still disagree with the 2 year comment. But I guess since OP just lives real far away from his work is the main annoyance. Anyone else who is closer to the city wouldn't have been so.

        Ok I will amend my statement.

  • TheMindsetTraveller on 16/11/2020 - 15:52
    +3

    This Jeep video is hilarious, it never stops me from posting it on every car issue thread :D and it always make me LOL

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sVmoOZRypk

  • MrKnowItAll on 16/11/2020 - 17:40

    Lots of people getting hung up on the car being 2 years old.. like with people, age is just a number.
    You need to factor in how it was driven, where it was driven, how much it was driven and a whole host of factors before saying "it's still fairly new so shouldn't be experiencing problems like this".
    For all we know (and i'm not implying this is the case, it's for context only) OP limiter bases their car from stone cold doing short trips, getting a little airborne over a crest whilst running a heap of power hungry devices like a 3000w inverter, big stereo, etc. which would put heaps of strain on just about everything

    • desertsand on 26/11/2020 - 15:24

      I’m yet to hit 15000k

  • Technics on 16/11/2020 - 20:59

    Whilst you have my utmost and unending commiserations OP I do also hope you've learnt a valuable lesson. Next time your car breaks down it would be best to immediately set fire to the vehicle and report it stolen to the police and your insurance company. It would have saved an awful lot of hassle in your case by the sounds of it. You probably would have been in a shiny, sweet smelling, complimentary hire car before the wreckage had finished smouldering.

    Now I'm sure some people here might suggest that this is not good advice or perhaps that doing so might even be illegal but I'd suggest that those people probably aren't lawyers and that they clearly lack the genuine, all encompassing commitment to saving money that being a member of this prestigious organisation demands. A little insurance fraud never hurt anybody and car rental isn't cheap. Unless you claim on insurance you're just throwing that money away really.

    • desertsand on 26/11/2020 - 15:25

      That’s exactly what I thought. For every other circumstance I would have a replacement car.

  • Tleaves on 16/11/2020 - 23:03
    +1

    So then what is the benefit of manufacturers' car warranties? Im just a newb for tthe general policies/covers.

    • miicah on 17/11/2020 - 09:33
      -1

      If it was the battery (which it sounds like it was) that would not be covered under warranty. Pretty much anything like shock absorbers, batteries, tyres, fluids are not covered under warranty.

      • Tleaves on 17/11/2020 - 10:14

        So most consumables you mean.
        Then what might be coveted, like….engine? Not sure.
        So far I feel like, i would rather just get a second hand car if I have to pay and check regularly no matter the car is comparably new or not.

        • miicah on 17/11/2020 - 12:38
          +1

          Yeah anything major like internal engine issues, gearbox, drive line components etc. Although I'd think you'd have a good argument if say a shock failed after 6 months or a belt snapped etc.

  • gviddy on 17/11/2020 - 13:15

    Never take it to a dealer. Take it instead to Kmart Tyre and Auto.

    • gimme on 17/11/2020 - 17:47
      +1

      they don't exist anymore

      • Zachary on 19/11/2020 - 04:57

        yeah they do, they're now mycar….

        • gimme on 19/11/2020 - 06:47

          I know

  • djones145 on 17/11/2020 - 17:21

    from how i see it you have only 3 real options

    buy a new car
    move house to next door to work
    bikies

    need poll

  • Muzeeb on 17/11/2020 - 20:10
    +2

    Don't forget to update us with your progress op.

  • Muzeeb on 18/11/2020 - 22:04

    So what happened op?

    • Zachary on 19/11/2020 - 04:57

      i guess his riding that scooter or taking public transportation or walking there? Or finally managed to get that loan car out of that mazda dealership?

  • ECE on 19/11/2020 - 14:43
    +1

    Zoom zoom 🤑

  • Muzeeb on 19/11/2020 - 23:15

    So what happened op?

  • Muzeeb on 21/11/2020 - 13:46

    Update?

    • cwongtech on 21/11/2020 - 17:11

      crickets chirping

  • Eeples on 22/11/2020 - 08:24

    I was offered a loan car after my car was diagnosed with an issue that needed parts to come from overseas to fix it.

    The loan car wasn’t offered until it was diagnosed. (So I had a few days without a car).

    OP, maybe on Monday after your fault is found…. you might be offered a loan car.

  • Muzeeb on 23/11/2020 - 11:27
    +2

    Any update OP.

    I'm starting to get a little annoyed.

  • desertsand on 26/11/2020 - 15:39

    I’d like to thank everyone who replied. Some with good answers, some with bad answers.. let me try to clarify something. I wasn’t annoyed that the car broke down. S*** happens. I’m sure a lot of people would say “that’s why you don’t buy a second hand car and get extended warranty, roadside assistance, extras on your insurance,…). I thought I was covered if anything happened to my car and I learned that I wasn’t. If anything else happened (accident, theft, fire, a thunder hit my car) I would be covered.

    It was the battery! Mazda replaced it under warranty and it was ready on Tuesday afternoon.

    What did I do in the meantime? I took a short road trip with a friend of mine to his beach house where everything is walking distance. I also took a couple of days off work. So it ended up being a nice little break. (I would also suggest some of you to do the same! People! Calm down!)

    • [Deactivated] on 27/11/2020 - 08:32

      I just had my car in workshop for 2 weeks while waiting for a new computer module part, 1 1/2 year old under warranty. Took a week longer but didn't care as was given a brand new loaner, well had 400k's on it.

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