Mazda is expanding access to its prepaid service plans in the UK, allowing owners of eligible vehicles to sign up even if they did not purchase their car through a Mazda dealer. The change gives owners of Mazda models from the 2015 model year or newer access to a monthly payment option for scheduled maintenance.

How Mazda’s Service Plans Work

Mazda offers service plans in both the U.S. and the UK that allow customers to make monthly payments covering scheduled maintenance for the duration of the plan. Instead of paying for services such as oil changes when they are performed, owners make regular payments toward the planned maintenance.

One benefit of the arrangement is that it locks in the cost of scheduled service for the length of the plan. If the price of an oil change rises by $10 or $20 in a year or two, the owner would not pay the higher price under the plan.

The plans cover scheduled maintenance such as oil changes, but they do not cover unexpected repairs or other issues in the way a warranty might. Owners can, however, pay extra into the plans to help cover unexpected repairs.

UK Mazda Owners Can Now Sign Up Without Buying a Car

Previously, Mazda’s service plans in both the U.S. and UK were available to customers when they purchased a vehicle from a Mazda dealer. In the U.S., the program is available with new, certified pre-owned and conventionally used Mazda vehicles, while the UK program was limited to new and certified pre-owned vehicles.

That arrangement made it possible to include prepaid service in vehicle financing. Mazda’s UK branch has now expanded eligibility so that anyone who owns a qualifying Mazda can sign up for the plan.

The vehicle must be from the 2015 model year or newer to qualify. Because existing owners could have a wide range of Mazda vehicles from the past decade, pricing is determined after the owner submits the vehicle’s VIN or registration number.

UK Service Plan Pricing Varies by Vehicle

In the UK, monthly pricing depends on the vehicle and its age, just as it does for new cars. Prices start at £23 per month ($30.45) for smaller vehicles such as the Toyota Yaris-based Mazda2.

At the higher end, the diesel CX-60 and CX-80 cost as much as £38 per month ($50.31). The source suggests the difference may be related to higher service costs, such as the amount of oil required by the larger six-cylinder diesel models.

Will Mazda Expand the Program in the U.S.?

Mazda’s U.S. expansion plans remain unclear. A Mazda representative was contacted for comment but had not responded, so there is no confirmation that the U.S. branch is considering a similar change.

If the UK expansion proves successful, it could provide a basis for Mazda to evaluate the approach elsewhere, but there is currently no confirmation that existing U.S. Mazda owners will be allowed to join the service plan program.

Why Dealer Service Can Cost More

Service plans can make maintenance costs more predictable, but dealership service can also cost more than other options. An oil change can have significantly different prices depending on whether the work is performed at home, at a dealership, at an independent repair shop or at a quick-service location.

Current oil prices have also increased, with even Costco members facing higher prices and unit restrictions. A DIY oil change can now cost around $60–$80, although the actual amount depends on the type and quality of oil and filter purchased.

Dealerships are generally the most expensive option listed. A full-synthetic oil change at a dealership can cost approximately $120-$150, depending on the size of the vehicle’s engine.

Quick-service businesses such as Jiffy Lube and Pep Boys are somewhat less expensive, with full-synthetic oil changes averaging $90–$100. Prices can vary significantly based on the vehicle, location and required oil quality, with smaller engines and cheaper oil potentially bringing the cost at a quick-service shop down to about $50.

Mazda’s UK service plan expansion gives owners of eligible 2015-model-year-and-newer vehicles a way to spread scheduled maintenance costs across monthly payments, while the availability of a similar option for existing Mazda owners in the U.S. remains unconfirmed.