Surely they should be aware of this type of issue or at least if there was a service recall regarding this fault. The dealer in question has been there for god knows how long. Pre-2008 at least.
Yes they should be (and probably are ) aware of the Timing Chain Stretch issue. However as said earlier, it was never deemed to be a recall as such. Therefore notification of the requirement was never posted out to owners.
It was a "Campaign" during which the timing chain was checked for stretch and a software modification was flashed to the ECU which activated the engine management light (EML) should the chain stretch beyond acceptable limits.
It was a world wide event and every vehicle was supposedly checked the next time it was in a Mazda dealership. Are you the first and only owner or was the car second hand ? Maybe the previous owner (if there was one ) never took it to a Mazda dealership.
Three things to consider here.
- Did your car ever go into a Mazda dealership for servicing at any time from about 2009 onwards ? I'm afraid I'm unable to give an exact date
- If the answer is yes, then it should have been checked and a record made of this fact
- If the above was actually done then Mazda UK should have a record of this which is linked to your VIN number
I don't know where this assists you in your quest for recompense, but the dealership are most certainly trying to avoid telling you the truth.
To be honest even the guys a Mazda were taken back by the issue and said it should never have happened.
Yeah !!! right Of course
You could press the point and get them to check the records. However there is no point if Mazda did not see the car at the time of the campaign.
You could ask them for a Good Will donation. That is at the discretion of the dealership principal.
Good luck hope it works out for you.