Should I buy a used car if it hasn't been serviced every 12 months?

If a 2021-reg Mazda MX-5 with 29,000 miles on the clock has been serviced at Mazda but not every 12 months on the dot, should I avoid it please? Its owner from new had it serviced one year after buying, so in July 2022, then in Nov 2023, and April 2025. The excuse was its low mileage but I am worried that it counts as missing a service so it is not a FSH and is best avoided?

Asked on 25 June 2025 by Sharon Smith

Answered by David Ross
This is something of a grey area. Most vehicles have a service schedule which is every 12 months or X number of miles, whichever comes first, so even a low mileage car should have an annual service. However, even Mazda's own guidance is a little vague here, with the Mazda UK website stating "The maximum service interval for your Mazda is 12,500 miles or 12 months whichever occurs first, however, the servicing intervals may reduce based on the style of driving and the conditions under which the vehicle is operated."

As the vehicle is now out of warranty there is no issue with the service history being considered as incomplete in this respect, and it has covered a low average of 7,500 miles a year. It could be argued that there is a service missing, as the car is four years old but has only had three services, but assuming the vehicle's condition reflects the mileage it should not necessarily be avoided, just that regarding it as a full service history is slightly misleading. You may wish to contact the supplying Mazda dealer to see if they can offer further guidance.
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