Mazda BT-50 Problems

Your complaint about the suspension is quite a common one with one-tonne utes, not only with Mazdas, but many other brands as well. It's a message that should be heeded by anyone buying a one-tonne ute with the intention of putting it to work. Before you commit have it assessed by a suspension expert to establish if it really is up to the task you have in mind, or does it need upgrading. Your complaint about the company not reacting to your problem is not uncommon either, and it's not just from one company. There seems to be an industry wide reluctance to properly deal with customer concerns.

The official fuel consumption (average) is 10L/100km, which is a guide to what you should get, but it will vary depending on the driving conditions, load carried etc. Yours isn't wildly out, and given that it's new and running in you could expect it to improve as it does more kilometres. I would suggest you report your concerns to the dealer and maintain a log on the consumption you get with the view of presenting it to them at the next service. If it hasn't improved by then you should have plenty of evidence to justify your claim that something is not right.

Just above the exhaust manifold.

There have been reports of problems with the BT-50 auto, rough shifting etc., which could be enough to put you off buying one.

The Amarok is rated to tow 3000 kg, which would make it marginal for your needs given that you want to tow around three tonnes. The Ranger and BT-50 are rated at 3500 kg, which would make them more suitable for you. The Ranger and the BT-50 are the same vehicle, it's only the features that separate them. For me, of those you list the Mazda is the best value-for-money.

It's most likely an intermittent fault with a sensor. By restarting the engine you are rebooting the computer, which is a sign of a fault in the engine management system.

The range of values for your vehicle is $29,000 to $32,000 as a private sale. As a trade-in it’s worth $24,000 to $28,000. With its low kays, plus the towbar and bullbar yours is probably at the top end of that range. You don’t tell us anything about your needs and wants for the car you are looking to buy, but the Kia Sportage is a good car and worth you looking at it.

Mazda’s advice is probably on the money. Worn injectors are a common cause of a rattle on cold starts on common-rail diesel engines like you describe.

We haven't had any reports of this problem before. Take it to a dealer or a four-wheel drive specialist to sort out for you.