Hi all, new here and hoping to soon be a Mazda3 owner. On the look out for a new second hand car and I’m really rather taken with a 2009 Mazda 3 1.6 sport I’ve seen. So here’s the deal, it’s had 3 previous owners and has 74k on the clock. Looks very tidy inside and out bar a couple new front tyres needed and not far off needing new discs on the front. Dealer wants £3399 for it and says he’ll put 2 new tyres on, service it and put 12 moths mot on it.
I’m hesitating due to underwhelming lack of service history. Only documents are of a previous service, oil change, oil and air filter and spark plugs in 2016 with 43k on the clock from an independent garage. Have contacted Mazda dealership and only details of the digital service history are the first 2 services in 2010 and 2012. Last owner has had it for 5 years.
Drives fine, though only tested over a short distance. My worry is it’s done 30k miles with no service. Dealer also did that annoying thing claiming there to be loads of receipts for it, only for me to turn up and there’s one invoice. Then said they must be in the office, then couldn’t find anything.
My question is, what should I be wary of? I understand they have one of the better reliability records 2nd hand. Chain driven engine is generally problem free ( engine looked v dirty ).
It’s the top end of my budget, but in desperate need of a car. I guess it may need the 10 yr service which Mazda quoted £350 for.
Dealer says I’ll never get a Mazda with full history as it’s all digital. I think he’s just trying to shift it!
Would you take the punt in my situation?
Thanks all