Engine Replacement for Mazda 2 2006 after Purchasing a Few Months Ago

Ljambreadjam on 30/11/2023 - 01:44
Last edited 30/11/2023 - 09:42 by 1 other user

A few months ago we purchased a second hand Mazda 2 2006 through a mechanic, who was selling it on behalf of a friend.

Mileage was around 220,000kms and there was no visible damage or mechanical issues. The mechanic told us that he had checked the car thoroughly and didn't find any problems. He also told us to ignore the engine light and minor noises coming from the engine as it was an old car, and to come back for a check up every 2,000kms.

Since he was a mechanic who we knew previously (he wasn't our regular mechanic, although we had used him a few times) and we didn't know much about cars, we trusted his word and bought the car.

A few days ago my partner was driving the car when the engine started making funny sounds. Out of caution he drove to the mechanic, but by the time he arrived the sounds got a lot worse. The mechanic checked the car and told us the engine had overheated, and it would cost almost as much as the car to replace the engine. He said that had we had gotten the car serviced earlier, he would have spotted the problem and fixed the issue. However at the time we had only driven around 2,100kms, and had not noticed anything unusual up to that point.

In hindsight we should have done more research and due diligence before purchasing the car, and it was our fault for not doing that. However I'm wondering if the mechanic was partially responsible because he had missed something in the initial checks, and sold us a car with potential or known defects.

Just wanted insights from someone with more knowledge about cars whether the car could go from being in good condition (as per the mechanic's opinion) to needing an engine replacement in a few months without any warning signs?

Automotive Car Mazda

Comments

  • Mungulz on 30/11/2023 - 02:34
    +19

    I guess you bought it from a business, or bought it under the illusion that it was from a business. Perhaps you could get in touch with a tribunal and see how you go.

    Regardless of whether or not you were aware it was a private sale, play dumb and act like you didn’t know.

    • Heaps for Cheaps on 30/11/2023 - 07:51
      +28

      +100
      Mechanics are big time scammers. The mechanic scammed you. Take it to VCAT, against the mechanic, who was selling the car… Has the mechanic got other cars he has for sale? Is he operating without a dealers license? If you are right or wrong, you'll get the definite answer from VCAT.

      • doctordv8 on 30/11/2023 - 17:06
        +3

        All, some or just how many mechanics are scammers?

        • Heaps for Cheaps on 30/11/2023 - 18:02
          +9

          All mechanics with the exception of OzBargain members and that one guy.

      • CowFrogHorse on 01/12/2023 - 12:28
        +3

        Half of all office workers particularly management are scammers….

      • knk on 02/12/2023 - 07:53

        Look maybe, or maybe the car over heated and OP kept driving?

  • garetz on 30/11/2023 - 02:50
    +41

    You got scammed hardcore, why would you trust the word of a mechanic, who is a friend of the 3rd party that is selling the car. They were obviously in cahoots.

    You should of gotten a mechanic uninvolved with either party to have a look at the car before purchase.

    • jambreadjam on 30/11/2023 - 04:48
      +2

      The mechanic was also our acquaintance/friend, but yeah, lesson learnt

      • garetz on 30/11/2023 - 05:45
        +56

        If the mechanic did this to you, then they were never your friend.

        • Heaps for Cheaps on 30/11/2023 - 07:53
          +6

          I was watching a video of a cute baby deer that a lioness seemed to be protecting against the other lions… Everybody was commenting on how cute it was that this lionesss took on such a motherly role & how animals also loved other species… The reality was the lioness was holding the baby seer to lure its bigger mother so they could get a bigger meal…

          Same with mechanics, they may look like they are your friends, but that's their trick to scam you. And now you are being further scammed with more lies about taking in it sooner, or the mechanic being nice to you and seemingly sympathetic. It's still a ruse.

          • Muzeeb on 30/11/2023 - 08:07
            +5

            @Heaps for Cheaps: @pegaxs - have you been protecting any baby deer lately? 😉😁

            • pegaxs on 30/11/2023 - 11:34
              +18

              @Muzeeb:

              The mechanic was also our acquaintance/friend

              Oh, good old uncle Ian looking after them for a box of darts and a slab of piss… What could ever have gone wrong… :D

              And yes, I keep customers cars in our workshop and pretend to be looking after them, just so the larger, more profitable parents will bring their much larger car in, so I can hit them both while they are least expecting it…

              I like to spend years and years and hundreds of hours gaining a customer's trust with small chit chat, excellent workmanship and unforgettable customer service, so that one day in the future I can rip them off on that one particular job… The ultimate long con…

  • Euphemistic on 30/11/2023 - 05:33
    +25

    Ouch. Needing a check every 2000km seems to be a warning that it’s dying especially if the engine light is on. I’m guessing that if it needs a mechanic to check every 2000km it burning oil fast or leaking coolant or similar. In this case. Seems leaking coolant if it overheated.

    • Muzeeb on 30/11/2023 - 06:25
      +13

      I'm guessing head gasket failure, overheated, warped the heads and $$$.

    • pharkurnell on 30/11/2023 - 14:23
      +23

      Needing a check every 2000km seems to be a warning

      The ignore engine light and noises coming from engine already wasn't enough of a warning? or the 220,000klms… lool

      • dcash on 30/11/2023 - 18:04
        +1

        220k kms is not really a big deal if the car has been serviced even half decently. Having said that, if you know nothing about engines and don't know what to look for, then for an older second hand car you really ought to have someone independent give it the once over.

        • MrTweek on 01/12/2023 - 14:05
          +4

          I dunno, 220 000 kms AND the engine light on and mechanic apparently can't fix that is kind of a big deal. I wouldn't even remotely consider buying something like that

          • dcash on 01/12/2023 - 17:39
            -1

            @MrTweek: I once bought a BMW with over 250k k's and a check engine light on. The light was only a "service required" reminder that hadn't been turned off by the last mechanic to service the car, and I never had a single problem with the engine in the entire time I owned the car. If you know what you're looking for, high mileage (not that 250k k's is high) and flashing lights isn't a big deal.

            • alikazi on 02/12/2023 - 13:54

              @dcash: You just got lucky. That's not how it's supposed to work.

              • dcash on 02/12/2023 - 18:29

                @alikazi: So tell me how it's supposed to work?

            • Fysh on 02/12/2023 - 16:27
              +1

              @dcash: Thats not as good as the subaru wrx i had for a week which had the petrol cap loose and turned on the engine light. That wasembarrassing

              • dcash on 02/12/2023 - 18:31

                @Fysh: Haha, good one! And precisely my point that an "idiot light" being illuminated doesn't always mean your engine is about to expire!

        • Euphemistic on 02/12/2023 - 17:16

          If you don’t know what you’re looking at, you don’t buy a noisy car with an engine light on without finding out from the seller EXACTLY what to do to keep it running.

          If the mechanic says it needs checking every 2000km, you get them to tell you what needs checkinn (oil, water?) and you check it at least every time you fill up with fuel, if not more frequently.

        • AliasTheJester on 03/12/2023 - 10:11

          220k kms on a 1.5L Mazda 2 engine is a pretty big deal. That's a lot of work for a little engine.

          • dcash on 04/12/2023 - 06:16

            @AliasTheJester: If that's true for Mazda engines, I will never ever buy a Mazda!

    • Fysh on 02/12/2023 - 16:25

      Not always had a Honda that needed a oxy sensor that would pop on engine light every 5k kms and Id just clear it. Never burnt more petrol never put it in limp mode, all the other sensors reported fine. Im sure i could have replaced it for 150 but at that kms who cares if it takes me 20 seconds to clear.

      The problem here is that with the engine light already on when the car overheated they didnt get a new engine light. Proceeded to drive it more and probably cooked it. And it could have been as simple as closed broken thermostat. Unfortunately the mechanic is smart enough to know this and thought it was low risk. But for an average user its not

  • Commander1201 on 30/11/2023 - 06:09
    +20

    I know a guy with a 1999 Corolla, it's got 400km on the clock and is serviced every 10,000, getting things checked every 2000km seems pretty suss, even for an older car.

  • darshu on 30/11/2023 - 06:36
    +12

    Age of the car does not cause the engine light ON, it had a problem(s) before you bought it. Because you drove ignoring it (with the instructions of your mechanic “friend”), your car engine blew up.

    Because its a private sale, I don’t think you can do anything about it. Life is full of lessons until we die.

    Don’t think your mechanic “friend” is your friend. Never trust a mechanic.people may talk nicely, smile with you or joke with you, but they are not friends. Always get another opinion when making a big decision, and don’t use this mechanic again, either he didn’t inspect your car properly or he lied to you about the hidden issues of the car.

    Even in this situation, you can get another mechanic’s expertise to check what’s wrong with the engine.

    Can we know how much did you pay for the car?

  • JIMB0 on 30/11/2023 - 06:53
    +7

    Nice troll. This is sure to generate a wall of text.

    • Heaps for Cheaps on 30/11/2023 - 07:56
      +1

      You'd think so, but it's pretty tame for what a mechanic would do.

  • Ugly on 30/11/2023 - 06:53
    +31

    “Ignore the engine light” should have sent you running.
    The light is there for a reason.

  • Dollar General on 30/11/2023 - 07:30
    +19

    Wash it, give it a cut & polish and sell it back to the mechanic. If he asks about the engine light being on, tell him when the engine light is on it means the engine if performing well

  • Dollar General on 30/11/2023 - 07:33
    +13

    If you’re looking to spend money more wisely next time, I have an ocean front property in Coober Pedy I’m prepared to sell to you at mates rates to make up for getting ripped off by a mechanic who said to ignore the engine light being on and all those noises

    • skullster704 on 30/11/2023 - 15:21

      Love the size of the beach- so much room for activities!

      • SuperLate on 01/12/2023 - 01:19

        Private beach !

    • CowFrogHorse on 01/12/2023 - 12:29

      How far is Coober Pedy from Lake Eyre when it floods ?

      • MrTweek on 01/12/2023 - 14:07
        +1

        Just down the road, a short 300 km drive on a dirt track.

    • Oz em on 02/12/2023 - 01:02

      It’s a mirage of a deal.

  • brendanm on 30/11/2023 - 07:40

    How much did you pay for this vehicle?

  • Muzeeb on 30/11/2023 - 08:10
    +2

    Did the car come with a RWC? Did your mechanic friend also perform the RWC?

    • SuperLate on 01/12/2023 - 01:22
      +4

      With the engine light on, it's a Resale Without Coolant.

  • Drakesy on 30/11/2023 - 08:29
    +8

    Buys a 17 year old car with a check engine light on…

    Well there's ya problem

    • Gunnar on 30/11/2023 - 08:49
      +9

      That's why I buy old cars - no CEL, no problems!

      • dcash on 30/11/2023 - 18:06
        +2

        Yeah, I miss the days where it wasn't a check engine light, but an oil pressure light. So long as you had coolant and oil pressure, you were good to go!

  • Sye on 30/11/2023 - 09:12
    +4

    Just buy an old VW Beetle, they come with a spare engine in the boot.

  • outlander on 30/11/2023 - 09:35
    +7

    Mum once bought a car from her 'mechanic' friend to. The same mechanic she had used for years.

    It had a leaking manifold gasket that was easily seen by opening the radiator tank. It had an aftermarket gas conversion that was done wrong. Lot of problems that I ended up having to fix, so I feel you.

    Lot of people hear 'mechanic' and think 'any car they have must be perfectly maintained and tuned for maximum performance'. In reality, it's often more the case that the more educated you are, the closer you run to the danger zone. Mechanics drive cars with problems, electricians have exposed wiring in their house, doctors don't take care of their health.

    Just because they know better doesn't automatically mean they choose to do better

    • Protractor on 30/11/2023 - 10:52

      Under most existing state laws anybody can call themselves and trade as a mechanic having never ,ever done any trade. Govts are more interested in flogging a license to trade, than having fit for purpose operators.

      • mrvaluepack on 30/11/2023 - 19:34

        Same with 'engineers'.

        • Protractor on 30/11/2023 - 20:22
          +2

          Yep iinet TPG is loaded with "engineers". (Presuming Optus is too) Baristas have more nouse.

        • zeomega on 01/12/2023 - 13:33

          That's being changed with legislation. Can't provide engineering sign off without a Engineering degree or chartered.

  • Wiadro on 30/11/2023 - 09:46
    +2

    mazda 2 with 220k km and 17 years old. what did you expect

    • Nugs on 30/11/2023 - 17:18
      +2

      apparently less than my $400 Mazda 121 that has 255000km and is 26 years old
      .

      • dcash on 30/11/2023 - 18:07
        +1

        Agreed. 250k kms is nothing.

  • Protractor on 30/11/2023 - 09:48
    -7

    Why did you create a new ID to ask (cut and paste) this 'real life' scenario?

    Apart from this discussion you have no other content since 2022 here and 2020 at Whirlpool Forum

    OP, What other identities to you use here and over there to create fictional content?
    I mean how BIG is your portfolio?

    Protractor on 30/11/2023 - 09:48 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
    • coffeeinmyveins on 30/11/2023 - 10:29
      +5

      why does posting it on two forums mean that it's a made up story? what an odd take.

      • Protractor on 30/11/2023 - 10:47
        -6

        The part you think is 'odd' is that bit?

        • coffeeinmyveins on 30/11/2023 - 14:51
          +5

          Your entire premise is that the story is fake because they posted on two forums, which is an ODD TAKE.

  • coffeeinmyveins on 30/11/2023 - 10:31
    +3

    Mileage was around 220,000kms and there was no visible damage or mechanical issues. The mechanic told us that he had checked the car thoroughly and didn't find any problems. He also told us to ignore the engine light and minor noises coming from the engine as it was an old car, and to come back for a check up every 2,000kms.

    My sides. How naive can you be.

    So the guy who is selling you the car has told you he has inspected it, and to ignore the literal RED FLAG that the car is trying to tell you "something isn't right"

    Honestly it's hard to have any sympathy for you in this situation.

    wondering if the mechanic was partially responsible because he had missed something in the initial checks, and sold us a car with potential or known defects.

    Sure, they may be responsible, but it was a private sale and not from a business right? Unless you can prove in a court that they deceived you, it's caveat emptor on second hand car sales.

    What you SHOULD have done is get the NRMA to do their $300 or so safety check where they would have probably highlighted the engine issues.

  • Naigrabzo on 30/11/2023 - 10:58
    +5

    I stopped at the point where you bought a car with the check engine light on.

    The Engineers who designed the car put that check engine light for a reason. It needs to be checked by pluggin in to the cars computer.

    • coffeeinmyveins on 30/11/2023 - 14:51
      +1

      Yeah but the mechanic said to ignore it so it's fine. Why would he lie.

  • Naigrabzo on 30/11/2023 - 10:59
    +3

    BTW No one should ever buy a car that a mechanic sells you. BUY THE CAR he doesn't want to sell you. It's the car that he keeps that will be the best one.

  • Malik Nasser on 30/11/2023 - 11:08
    +1

    ignore the engine light and minor noises coming from the engine

    Ignoring the apparent existing issue, if the car developed a new issue which would normally trigger the engine light to come on, how would you know? It not like the car has a second check engine light for new issues that come up.
    Minor noises coming from the engine generally comes just before total engine failure.

    A little bit of critical thinking on your part could have helped you in this situation. You don't have to know anything about cars to use some common sense to determine that you were asking for trouble by purchasing this car.
    If you are going to purchase used car privately, the responsibility ultimately falls on you. Yes the mechanic could have been more honest, but in the end the buck stops with you.

  • Protractor on 30/11/2023 - 11:46
    -5

    Critical thinking and common sense are worlds apart.And every man and his dog reckons he is either autistic or is a critical thinker. (by their own diagnosis)

    If you hear someone claiming to be a critical thinker, they aint.

    • CowFrogHorse on 01/12/2023 - 12:31

      Of course this applies too so many items.

      If you need to say it, its probably not true, the more you say it the more untrue it becomes.

      eg: advertising.

  • pegaxs on 30/11/2023 - 11:54
    +2

    He also told us to ignore the engine light and minor noises coming from the engine

    Hahahaha…. ffs.

    I have a coat hanger shaped bridge for sale as well if you ever need one…

    • Gunnar on 30/11/2023 - 13:52

      You’re an engineer too, OP is a guaranteed sale!

  • freefall101 on 30/11/2023 - 11:55

    A few days ago my partner was driving the car when the engine started making funny sounds. Out of caution he drove to the mechanic, but by the time he arrived the sounds got a lot worse.

    A lesson for you and your partner - learn to identify red flags.

    If the engine starts making funny sounds you don't keep driving the car. You pull over immediately because driving it more only does more damage.
    If a mechanic tells you to ignore the engine light and bring it back in every 2,000km, you don't buy the car.

    It's a bit hard to blame the mechanic on the info you gave (besides that he sold you a dud), if there wasn't enough water in the radiator, it boiled over and it kept being driven then there's nothing a mechanic could have done about that. Step one though is take it to a different mechanic and get a second opinion. You don't go back to the guy who sold you a dud.

  • mskeggs on 30/11/2023 - 12:29

    I think the underlying issue here is expectations.
    I would buy a cheap 17yro car.
    Maybe even with the check engine light on (I'd check and clear the codes to see what it said and if anything else was triggering it).
    But I'd want it very cheap and would understand it needs uneconomical work to return it to sound condition.
    I'd know I was driving on borrowed time, but that might be fine if I only need a cheap car to do some short trips for a limited time.

    But if you buy an old car with issues and no inspection, expect it to run for a long time without regularly checking stuff like oil and water, and are shocked when it dies…

    In that case you had very ambitious expectations.

  • trapper on 30/11/2023 - 12:43
    +4

    He also told us to ignore the engine light …

    Wait. What??

  • bobbified on 30/11/2023 - 12:46
    +1

    ..and to come back for a check up every 2,000kms.

    However at the time we had only driven around 2,100kms

    Sorry, that extra 100km cost you your engine! lol

  • trapper on 30/11/2023 - 12:52

    If you are mechanically minded you can buy a used engine for ~$1000 and swap it out yourself + maybe budget another $300 on tools depending what you already have.

    It's not as hard as it sounds, and there are loads of YouTube videos that will show you every step.

    Fun weekend project, a bunch of cool new tools, develop experience and confidence working on your own vehicle, save yourself ~$3700, it's a total win-win.

    • nephilim on 30/11/2023 - 13:02

      Yea I was thinking this, maybe worth posting on a local FB group if a mechanic is looking for work after work.
      800-1k for engine, maybe pay the dude $500 and some box of beer.

      • trapper on 30/11/2023 - 13:04
        +1

        No mechanic is going to do this for $500 and a box of beer though. Labour is expensive, it will cost more than the car is worth.

    • mskeggs on 30/11/2023 - 14:46
      +5

      If you are mechanically minded

      They bought a car the mechanic said needed checking every 2000km, with the engine light on, and it overheated, at which point they drove it further.
      OP has a bit of work to do to get up to minded, let alone mechanically.

      • trapper on 30/11/2023 - 16:21
        +1

        This is a good observation.

  • Boioioioi on 30/11/2023 - 13:35
    +2

    For future reference never buy a car with the check engine light if you plan to use it as a regular car.

    Secondly, your average car needs servicing every 10,000km, not 2,000km…

  • mini2 on 30/11/2023 - 13:43

    Ignore CEL? Rightttttt….

    They didn't scam you, you just fall for it. It's a 17-year-old car. Things have a finite lifetime. Don't like your chances with your state's consumer tribunal, especially it was sold privately, not through a dealer. Chalk it up as an expensive life lesson. Sorry.

  • JimmyF on 30/11/2023 - 14:12
    +1

    and it would cost almost as much as the car to replace the engine

    I thought only Electric cars needed costly repairs that costed more than the car.

    But OUCH..

    and to come back for a check up every 2,000kms.
    He said that had we had gotten the car serviced earlier, he would have spotted the problem and fixed the issue. However at the time we had only driven around 2,100kms, and had not noticed anything unusual up to that point.

    Its a cop out, as no car is serviced/inspected every 2000km. He knew it was farked and is trying to cover his arse by saying you are 100km late getting an inspection, no soup for you!

  • pharkurnell on 30/11/2023 - 14:20
    +1

    He also told us to ignore the engine light and minor noises coming from the engine

    Surely not….

    Also who is this friendly Mechanic?? Just so I never go near this best mate of yours.

  • pharkurnell on 30/11/2023 - 14:28
    +1

    mazda 2 engine $660… its not going to cost $4300 to fit it

    https://www.usedcarpartsonline.com.au/product/mazda-2-2012-e…

    • coffeeinmyveins on 30/11/2023 - 14:54
      +1

      its not going to cost $4300 to fit it

      Alright mr mechanic, how much is it going to cost to replace the engine including all the consumables and remembering you need access to all the equipment to do it?

      • pharkurnell on 30/11/2023 - 15:09

        Cost me just over a grand to replace engine in a Barina few years back with new hoses, belts etc.

        What you think its going to cost $4000? LMAO

        • trapper on 30/11/2023 - 16:22

          You got an engine replaced for only $1000? wow

          • pharkurnell on 30/11/2023 - 16:24

            @trapper: Yep.
            Dropped the car on a tilt tray, and replacement engine off and picked up at end of the week

            • pformag on 30/11/2023 - 17:49
              +3

              @pharkurnell: and then sold the 2006 Mazda via a mechanic to a 3rd party :)

        • coffeeinmyveins on 30/11/2023 - 23:20

          few years back

          What you think its going to cost $4000? LMAO

          A hell of a lot more than $1000 "a few years back" mate. LMAO.

          $1000 will likely barely cover the consumables, hoses and belts that you've mentioned let alone the actual replacement labor costs.

  • altomic on 30/11/2023 - 15:06
    +7

    He also told us to ignore the engine light and minor noises coming from the engine as it was an old car, and to come back for a check up every 2,000kms.

    dude.

  • billy72 on 30/11/2023 - 16:43
    +5

    I don't know why people think buying from a mechanic is a good thing, it's a huge red flag for me. Mechanics know how to cover up problems, bypass the RWC test, change good parts with junk parts, etc.
    The mechanic I know has a huge warehouse of crashed cars that he will eventually make up and resell one by one.
    Anyway, buying from a mechanic is still better than buying from a wrecker. LOL

    • ribze1 on 30/11/2023 - 19:48
      +1

      Exactly. They'd sort out anything obvious so that it appears to be ok. Clean away all oil leaks (as opposed to fixing them) for starters.

    • CocaKoala on 30/11/2023 - 23:51
      +1

      for me. Mechanics know how to cover up problems

      In this case though:

      Mechanic: "ignore the engine failure light and all the rattling noises and oil leaks"
      Op: "man, that's persuasive. Ok, I'll buy."

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