Ontario woman has her car warranty voided after getting an oil change with an independent mechanic. Here’s what happened

Last year, the Ferreiras purchased a used Mazda SUV from an independent dealership with 50,000 kilometers on it. They were under the impression the vehicle was reliable and that the warranty was a “great” perk, they toldCTV News (1).

However, two months ago, the vehicle's engine was seized and there was an issue with the oil level. There was also a problem with the vehicle's camera, prompting the owners to bring the car into a Mazda dealership for an inspection. The family thought the fixes would be covered under warranty since the automobile was under two years old.

Unfortunately, they weren’t.

The Mississauga, ON, family had been taking the SUV to a mechanic not affiliated with the automaker for oil changes approximately every 5,000 kilometers. Mazda asked for proof of the oil changes and other documentation as part of an investigation, which prompted a denied warranty claim, stating that the engine failure was not a manufacturer defect — it alleges it was caused by a number of other factors.

Why Mazda originally denied the claim, but changed its tune

CTV uncovered a statement from Mazda, revealing that the warranty claim was denied due to a number of factors. These include irregularities in the maintenance records from the independent mechanic, the fact that the vehicle was purchased from a non-Mazda dealership and was serviced with non-Mazda parts by an independent mechanic.

Thankfully, Mazda chose to change its approach in an act of kindness towards the family.

“Recognizing that the situation has been difficult for Ms. Ferreira, Mazda Canada offered, as a gesture of goodwill, to reimburse the cost of the used engine installed by the independent garage and the initial camera diagnosis assessment, and the dealership has offered to have the vehicle’s camera diagnosed at no cost. Ms. Ferreira accepted the offer,” Mazda told the news outlet.

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Risks associated with buying a used vehicle

Buying a used vehicle can be a smart way to save costs on necessary transportation — especially as the cost of owning a vehicle has risen 9% since last year according to Turo’s (2) 2025 Car Ownership Index report. That said, there are some risks to be aware of according to Canadian Auto Napa Auto Care (3).

For one, buying a used car in a private sale can leave you with no legal warranty or recourse if something goes wrong. Choosing to not buy from a dealership can also mean the vehicle may not be required to go through a mandatory mechanical inspection that could reveal potential issues.

While it may be unlikely to occur, buying privately can also increase the risk you encounter a stolen vehicle, or one with a tampered odometer. Cases like these have been popping up across the country.

Risks of using an independent mechanic

Similar to buying a used vehicle through a private sale, taking a vehicle to an independent mechanic instead of a certified dealership can also pose some risks.

In the case of the Ferreiras, Mazda noted the vehicle was serviced with non-Mazda parts, which can potentially void warranty. If it wasn’t for Mazda’s kind gesture, they could be paying tens of thousands for a new engine.

In other cases not all independent mechanics are trustworthy, and can do more harm than good to your vehicle. It's of utmost importance to vet your mechanic judiciously to avoid any hack jobs that may worsen the vehicle's performance and longevity.

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How to protect yourself when buying a used vehicle

While buying a used vehicle does come with some risks, there are also simple ways to mitigate the potential for any issues arising. Here are some helpful tips you can implement while you search for your next ride.

• Check the vehicle’s history. Use a service such as CARFAX Canada to get a snapshot of the vehicle’s history. This can reveal any previous accidents and repairs a seller may have not disclosed.
• Get an independent inspection completed. Especially with “as is” sales, it's important to get a certified mechanic to look over the vehicle before you sign on the dotted line. A standard inspection could cost a few hundred dollars, depending on the extent of the lookover.
• Review the seller. If the seller is a dealership, check to see if they are licensed in the province they’re operating in. If they are a private seller, look into their online profiles to see if they have any complaints or a negative history.

Buying a used vehicle or taking your vehicle to an independent mechanic rather than an authorized dealer are great ways to help you save money when prices are high. But, like any financial decision, make sure you know the risks associated with your choices and how to mitigate them.

Article sources

We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.

CTV News (1); Turo (2); Canadian Auto/Napa Auto Care (3)