The Mazda Dealer Tried to Charge Me $75 for a $10 Air Filter on My Wife's 2024 CX-5, I Told Them Not To Do It. He Said “It’s Already In,” I Said Take It Out

Did a $75 air filter on a CX-5 at this Mazda dealer almost cost the dealership thousands in future business and a customer's loyalty?

Is This a Legitimate Service or Dealership Scam?

I saw the recent thread from Tandy on X, and honestly, it hit a nerve. As Senior Reporter here at Torque News, I've been covering the automotive service side of the business for two decades, and stories like this one are sadly common. It's exactly why I constantly stress to my readers that you have to be your own expert advocate in the service bay.

I'm talking about the experience Tandy's wife had at a dealership while getting a routine tire rotation and balance on their 2024 Mazda CX-5. The expected bill of $200-$220 suddenly ballooned to $325 because the technician "decided" they needed an air filter, and then, poof, it was $75. 

Tandy (@dantypo) on his X page says, 

"My wife was at the Honda dealership to get a tire rotation and balance on our 2024 Mazda CX-5. This was known to be about $100 for the oil change. So naturally we expected a bill of maybe $200-$220 when it was done."

"My wife texts and says it's going to be $325. She said because they said I needed an air filter. So I called and asked them to itemize it for me before she drives off."

"The air filter was $75! I told them not to do it. He said, "It's already in."

I said, "Take it out, I just found a set of air and cabin filters for $20 as we talked. If I can get it for that, a Mazda dealer is getting it for less, and it's two thumb clips to change."

"He said, 'I can't do that.'"

"I said, "You can and you will because if you don't, I'll never buy there again, and I'll tell everyone and anyone not to. Is that worth the price of a $20 filter?"

"He said, 'ok, sir… but to be clear, she agreed to it.'"

"I said, 'Of course she did, but I didn't set up an appointment for an air filter and I never would."

"My point is this— people need to push back. This has all gotten incredibly ridiculous. Folks, I bought a filter set for a Maserati for $22, and that was two air filters & a cabin filter, and all of 10 minutes total to replace."

"I truly believe that all of this has to do with us no longer realizing that certain things in life are absolutely easy to do."

Tandy says, "This is the filter they said she needs to replace."

This is a perfect example of why dealership service centers push unnecessary maintenance and how quickly a minor visit can turn into a battle of wills.

Let's dissect this. Tandy, who is clearly experienced, found a set of both air and cabin filters for $20. The dealer charges $75 for just one of them and claims it's "already in" before seeking final approval. That's a minimum $55 markup on a part that takes literally two thumb clips to change, as Tandy correctly pointed out. 

This high-pressure tactic is the essence of dealership service tactics to upsell car maintenance. They bank on the customer, especially one who didn't set the appointment (like the wife in this scenario), feeling uncomfortable or unequipped to push back.

The Takeaway

The first practical takeaway is to establish the rules of engagement before the car ever enters the bay. If you bring your vehicle in for a rotation and balance, make it clear: no additional service is to be performed, and no parts are to be installed, without your direct, verbal authorization with the price defined. The instant they told Tandy's wife the filter was "already in" after she had declined to approve the quote, they crossed an ethical line. 

You need to know your consumer rights when dealerships install parts without permission. In almost every jurisdiction, installing parts without the explicit, final approval for the work order—not just suggesting it—is questionable practice that deserves escalation.

What the Community is Saying

Tandy's experience is echoed across the internet. Here are a few direct quotes from consumers dealing with similar issues:

• YouTube Commenter: "I always decline the cabin filter change. My dealer charges $90. I bought the OEM filter online for $15 and swapped it out in 5 minutes, watching a 30-second YouTube video. That's expert advice on saving money on car repairs right there."
• Reddit User (r/MechanicAdvice): "The 'it's already in line is a classic high-pressure move. They know most people won't make a scene or demand they undo simple work. It's how they make up for the lower margin jobs. You need to learn how to avoid dealership maintenance rip-offs on basic filters."
• Quora User: "My service advisor got mad when I told him to pull the air filter back out. I told him he could either charge me the retail price of the filter with no labor or put the old, dirty one back in. He chose the latter. Push back always works."

I've written extensively on similar topics, including my Torque News features, such as "2025 Mazda CX-50 Owner Says, 'I’m Furious, I Went For My Free 5K Dealer Service, Said They Rotated My Tires, Got It Back, and They Hadn’t Rotated a Darn Thing,” where I detail scenarios almost identical to this one.

My analysis consistently shows the largest difference between dealer and independent shop pricing revolves around these simple, high-markup consumables. Check my recent story: The Toyota Dealer Quoted Me $1,500 to ‘Refresh’ My 2021 RAV4 Hybrid System, and Now, I’m Glad I Turned It Down Because It Was a Scam

The solution is empowerment. 

Tandy is right: people have lost sight of how easy certain tasks are. A modern Mazda CX-5 air and cabin filter replacement is child's play. By taking just ten minutes to master the easy way to replace your Mazda CX-5 air filter and cabin filter, you can literally save $100-$150 every time your car goes in for service. This small investment in knowledge is key to executing our ultimate guide to saving hundreds on car service visits. It gives you the authority to say "no" and mean it.

Conclusion

The takeaway here is not that all dealerships are bad, but that their service departments are high-profit centers run on quotas. The technicians are incentivized to find more work. As the customer, you hold the ultimate authority—your wallet. Set boundaries, stick to them, and be prepared to take an active role in simple maintenance tasks. Your confidence is your best tool against the upsell.

Now, I want to hear from our readers. 

Have you ever successfully made a dealership remove an already-installed, unauthorized part, and what was the outcome? Let us know in the red Add New Comment link below. 

I'm Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012, bringing over 30 years of automotive expertise to every story. My career began with a consulting role for every major car brand, followed by years as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles—equipping me with a wealth of insider knowledge. I specialize in delivering the latest auto news, sharing compelling owner stories, and providing expert, up-to-date analysis to keep you fully informed.

Follow me on X @DenisFlierl, @WorldsCoolestRides, Facebook, and Instagram

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Tandy on X