Problems getting parts from Mazda dealers?

[johnc55]

I wrote to Mazda Motor Ireland and also their parent company in Belgium about my recent problems in trying to obtain parts from a Mazda dealer. I received a reply from David McGonigle, Managing Director, Mazda Motor Ireland.

I have not replied yet to this letter but would be very interested to know if others have had a similar experience. If there are problems with dealers, then Mazda Ireland should be made aware of them.

However, this reply could be seen as showing a willingness on Mazda's part to get their dealer's act together.

If you have had a good or bad experience in sourcing parts from authorised Mazda dealers, you might post the information here and I could collate this for my reply to Mazda.



Text of my letter and reply below....

The General Manager
Mazda Motor Ireland
Block 1, The Oval
160 Shelbourne Road
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4

27 August 2009
Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing in relation to an official Mazda dealer apparently refusing to supply parts for my 1999 Mazda MX5 Roadster.

I had a parking mishap recently when another driver broke and knocked off the front number plate plinth on my Mazda MX5. The driver arranged for his mechanic to order a replacement part. The mechanic contacted me to secure the VIN number for my car. He then contacted me today to say that he had called Mazda Sandyford who told him that since my car was a Japanese import, they could not supply any parts for it. It was pointed out that the number plate plinth is a generic part. They refused to supply this part.

I would like to know what your policy is in relation to supplying parts for Mazda vehicles and how you can justify refusing to supply parts. I would also like to know what your policy is in being of help, assistance and support to loyal Mazda owners.

It is clear that the vast majority of parts for any particular MX5 are identical no matter where the car was originally sold or used. Surely, whether I need a brake pad, an oil filter or a wing mirror, I should be able to secure genuine Mazda parts from an official dealer?

As far as the number plate plinth is concerned, I am aware that the original Japanese one fitted would have been square whilst the Irish and UK plinth is oblong. This cosmetic, non-mechanical part should be available irrespective of the vehicle origin.

It is somewhat bizarre that I can order these parts from the UK, Germany, Belgium or the USA and that my local Mazda dealer here in Ireland refuses to supply me. I suspect that your policy may be in breach of my consumer rights and probably in breach of competition legislation or EU directives. It is certainly abusive behaviour by a firm dominating a market.

I am very annoyed by the attitude and behaviour shown by Mazda in refusing to supply parts and in failing to help and support me as a Mazda owner. I would welcome an explanation, an apology and an assurance that this behaviour will not be repeated.

I would also welcome arrangements to supply me with a number plate plinth!
I await your response.

___________________________
John Curran
cc.
The General Manager
Mazda Motor Logistics Europe S.A./NV
Blaasveldstraat 162,
Willebroek,
B-2830,
Belgium

The General Manager
Mazda Motor Logistics Europe S.A./NV
Blaasveldstraat 162,
Willebroek,
B-2830,
Belgium
27 August 2009

Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing in connection with the restrictive policy and behaviour of Mazda Motor Ireland in relation to supply of parts. I understand that Mazda Motor Ireland is a branch or subsidiary of Mazda Motor Logistics Europe S.A./NV.

I enclose a copy of my letter to Mazda Motor Ireland for your attention.

I would welcome your response.

______________________________

John Curran


Reply from David McGonigle:

31st August 2009

Dear Mr. Curran,

In relation to your letter of 27th August 2009.

I do not understand why you or anyone else would have had an issue with obtaining a replacement part for your Mazda vehicle.

The process is very simple and yours is the first instance where I have heard of an issue.

The Mazda Authorised Dealer should have contacted us directly with a VIN and D code for the Irish equivalent part - we then look at availability of the part from our Parts warehouse in Belgium and provide the Dealer with the appropriate part number and cost. Should the part not be available in Europe then the process takes a little longer but we do liaise with Mazda Japan to locate the part required.

The specific part you have requested is available in Europe and can be sent to the Dealer of your choice - please advise which Dealer you wish to purchase the part from?

Kind Regards,

David McGonigle
Managing Director
Mazda Motor Ireland

[Steve]

The Mazda dealership on the Belgard Rd in Dublin wouldn't supply me with parts with my Roadster VIN, I had to use a borrowed "Irish" car's VIN. Maybe he'd be interested to see how many parts this particular can has needed over the years as I think a few other people have been using it too

I also had the same problem in Monaghan's in Galway. They also said they couldn't use my VIN.

It would be very interesting to hear how this works out...

Thanks!
Steve

[mx5ash]

You are not the first to be treated like this believe me. Fair play to you for writing the letter to them. To be fair my experience was not as bad as yours but did put me off going to mazda dealership for parts again.
Mazda dealership in Waterford.
I wanted a top nut for a bilstein shock for my mk1 (just a nut now nothing to complicated but thought i'd get the right one for it)
Rang them up and gave them my jap vin number.
Told they would have to get on to mazda japan to get the part number, took a day to get that and then missed the order deadline by 2 minutes so another day to wait before it could be ordered. They were then to ring me when it came in, never did hear from them.
Not been near them since.
Ash

[Richie L]

Nice letter John.They always reply favourably when you mention European Competition Law.I think its the only thing car resellers are afraid of these days.Goodluck with the part.

[Wee T]

An excellent letter and hats off to you for following this up.Luckily My local Mazda dealership are excellent and have a top notch parts guy.

[robmx5]

The process is very simple and yours is the first instance where I have heard of an issue - What aload of b*llocks - if you believe that

Robin

[deccydoo]

Had the exact same problem with the mazda dealership in cork. was looking for a part for the fuel filler assembly and went down to get one, gave the vin and was told as it was of japanese origin they couldnt supply me with this part. i went on to explain that this part would be the exact same on an irish car and i would like to purchase it regardless of what he thought and was still told i couldnt buy it as i gave a japanese vin.

[TeenaG]

Great letter, and interesting to see the response. I knocked heads against that rubbish for ages until I discovered the Internet, and a garage in Ashbourne that now looks after me all the time. I used to take it as 'the way it is' - but looking at your exchange, I'm wondering if there's simply been a cosy cartel operating all along in a bid to boost domestic car sales. You've got my blood up now. Lets have a scrap! Next time I need something I'm going to approach my nearest unhelpful dealer, then report 'em to Europe.

[Ivan]

This has been going on a long long time. When i first started in the club
(6 -7 years ago) Dave king at the time had also been in contact with Mazda europe.
He had sent a few letters, had phone calls etc and it was not suppose to be a problem, it's still the same as we can see.

In the end you have to ask yourself why bother trying to get them to sell to you
when you can get the same thing else where for cheaper And that else where
now support this site

[franksm]

... and even with a legit VIN number albeit on those nasty steal-your-jobs-and-your-women yellow plates, local dealers are still overcharging for parts.

I get all my parts either from http://www.mx5parts.co.uk now, or else from Montgomery Mazda in the US. Yes, a legit Mazda dealership in the US.

http://www.onlinemazdaparts.com

Have used them a few times now with zero problems and a huge saving even with shipping and duty paid

[Coleslawsome]

They always reply favourably when you mention European Competition Law. I think its the only thing car resellers are afraid of these days.

If you're feeling particularly energetic, you could contact your friendly neighbourhood European Parliament member about this issue.

Alternatively, you could go straight to the EU Directorate General for Competition and see if they can help.

Here's the contact page for the Directorate General.

You might be interested in the page for making a complaint related to the infringement of competition rules by a company.

You never know what might happen, especially if you make sure the offending car dealership gets a copy of your complaint - no point in burning a bridge when you can use a nuclear device on it.