A Mazda extended warranty can protect you against paying for costly repairs once your vehicle’s factory warranty expires. But how do you know whether a Mazda extended warranty is the best choice for your vehicle? Would it be better to get coverage from a third-party provider?
In this article, we’ll help you answer these questions by weighing the pros and cons of a Mazda extended warranty and explaining the benefits of getting coverage independent of a dealership.
If you decide a third-party provider may be a good fit for you, we’ve done extensive research on the best extended car warranty providers on the market today. You can start getting quotes from our top recommended companies using the panel above.
What’s Covered Under the Mazda Extended Warranty?
Mazda’s extended warranty program is called Mazda Extended Confidence. It offers coverage for up to 9 years/100,000 miles, and there are two plans to choose from: Total Confidence and Powertrain Confidence.
| Mazda Extended Warranty | Coverage Terms |
|---|---|
| Total Confidence | 9 years/100,000 miles |
| Powertrain Confidence | 9 years/100,000 miles |
Total Confidence is a comprehensive plan that covers almost all of the same parts as the original Mazda factory warranty. You can expect most parts and systems of your vehicle to have coverage, minus a short list of exclusions. Powertrain Confidence covers fewer parts – the same ones that are included in Mazda’s CPO powertrain warranty.
The automaker has very little information about the Mazda Extended Confidence program on its website. To find out exactly what is included in each plan, you’ll need to contact your local Mazda dealer.
Exclusions and Limitations of Mazda’s Extended Warranty
Again, as there is little information on extended warranties available from Mazda, you’ll need to contact a dealership to find out specific coverage exclusions.
As far as limitations go, we found in our research that cancellation terms vary from contract to contract, so you’ll need to check whether it’s something you can cancel before you sign. Otherwise, you may be locked into paying for coverage you eventually no longer want or no longer can afford.
Another limitation of a Mazda extended warranty is that you need to bring your vehicle into a Mazda dealership to have any repairs made. On one hand, having your vehicle serviced at the dealership means you’ll always get genuine Mazda parts, and your repairs will be made by Mazda-trained technicians. On the other hand, if you live far from a dealership, this can be a big inconvenience when your vehicle breaks down.
Additional Perks
Mazda provides 24/7 emergency roadside assistance, including towing, with all of its extended warranty plans. If you’re ever stranded due to a mechanical failure or need assistance with fuel delivery, battery jump-starts or a lockout, you can request service via the MyMazda app.
Another perk of choosing a Mazda extended warranty is that the company offers a bit of flexibility when it comes to the timeframe in which you need to purchase coverage. Many manufacturers require extended warranty coverage to be purchased before a vehicle’s factory warranty expires. However, the Mazda Extended Confidence program is available to all current Mazda owners, whether their vehicle’s factory warranty has expired or not.
Mazda extended warranty coverage is also transferable to subsequent owners. The fact that your vehicle is still under warranty can be an attractive selling point for potential buyers.
Do You Need Extended Warranty Coverage?
When trying to decide whether an extended auto warranty would be a good investment, it helps to look at reliability ratings and average repair costs for your vehicle.
As of March 2020, Mazda has more Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick+ models in its lineup than any other manufacturer. Safe doesn’t always mean reliable, but Mazda owners can feel confident that their vehicles hit both marks.
Mazda cars have earned a 4.0-star reliability rating from RepairPal, placing the manufacturer fifth out of 32 car brands in terms of dependability. RepairPal found Mazda vehicles to have a lower-than-average annual repair cost, with owners shelling out just $462 per year on repairs versus the industry-wide $652 average.
Here are some common problems Mazda owners encounter and what they cost:
| Mazda Model | Repair | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Mazda RX-7 | Starter replacement | $236 – $252 |
| Mazda CX-3 | Air conditioning compressor replacement | $928 – $968 |
| Mazda6 | Fuel pump replacement | $1,147 – $1,187 |
| Mazda MX-5 Miata | Water pump replacement | $353 – $398 |
What’s Covered Under Mazda’s Factory Warranty?
If you own a new or used Mazda, you might be wondering what coverage you already have through your manufacturer’s warranty.
Every new Mazda comes with 3 year/36,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage, called the New Vehicle Limited Warranty, and a 5-year/60,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty. Mazda owners also get roadside assistance, including towing, for the duration of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Certified pre-owned (CPO) Mazdas carry over whatever remaining warranty coverage is left on the vehicle. On top of that, Mazda gives CPO owners and extra 1 year/12,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage and ups the powertrain warranty to 7 years/100,000 miles.
To read more about new and CPO vehicle coverage, read our comprehensive Mazda warranty review.
How Much Does a Mazda Extended Warranty Cost?
Mazda doesn’t offer any sample extended warranty pricing on its website, so you’ll need to call or visit a dealership to get a quote for your vehicle.
Generally, there are a few factors that determine the price of an extended auto warranty:
- The Mazda model you own
- Your vehicle’s age and mileage
- The coverage level you choose
- The deductible you choose
With each Mazda extended warranty plan, owners can choose either a $0 or $100 deductible.
Benefits of a Third-Party Extended Warranty
Mazda’s extended warranty may be a good fit for your vehicle. But oftentimes, getting extended warranty coverage independent of a dealership can offer you much more flexibility in terms of coverage, price, repair options and more.
Some benefits of choosing a third-party extended auto warranty over a manufacturer’s plan include:
- Longer coverage limits: Mazda offers 9 years/100,000 miles of coverage. This may seem long, but it doesn’t hold a candle to providers like Endurance and CARCHEX, which cover vehicles up to 200,000 or even 250,000 miles, respectively.
- Choice of repair shop: With a Mazda extended warranty, you’ll need to bring your vehicle to the dealership each time repairs are needed. If you opt for a third-party provider’s plan, you can have your car serviced at thousands of repair shops across the country.
- Sample contracts: Most reputable extended car warranty companies have plan details and sample contracts on their websites, so you know exactly what each plan covers before you reach out for a quote.
- Simple quotes process: Rather than having to call or visit a dealership, you can get quotes from top third-party providers by filling out simple online forms.
You may be wondering how the cost of a third-party provider compares to a manufacturer’s extended warranty. Generally, third-party plans are cheaper for a few reasons, including:
- Warranty companies usually have more plan offerings, which can give you more choice in what coverage you pay for.
- Dealerships sometimes mark up prices to make a bigger profit off your warranty.
- A dealer may offer to roll the cost of your warranty into an auto loan, meaning you’ll pay interest on it that will ultimately make it more expensive for you.
Conclusion: Is the Mazda Extended Warranty Worth It?
A Mazda extended warranty may be well worth it to protect your vehicle. However, you’ll need to contact a dealership to get more information about coverage and costs before you can decide for sure. If you decide it’s not for you, there are plenty of third-party providers that offer superb coverage and flexible terms that may be a good fit for your vehicle.
When considering an extended auto warranty, it’s always smart to shop around and get quotes from multiple providers before signing a contract. Your vehicle is one of the biggest investments you’ll make in your lifetime, and you’ll want peace of mind that it’s being taken care of right.
You can start getting free quotes from our top recommended third-party providers using the panel below.
Methodology
The Detroit Bureau collects data from every major car warranty provider to formulate rankings of the best warranty companies. Our in-depth rating system takes into account coverage, pricing, transparency, customer satisfaction and ratings from industry experts. Each provider is given a weighted score in five categories, as well as an overall score out of 10.0.
We recommend auto warranty companies based on these rankings, but we also encourage you to perform your own research and compare quotes to find the best coverage.
