Cheap Mazda 3 Timing Chain

It depends on the engine. The 2.0-litre petrol engines in the Mazda 3 (across the BK, BL, and BM generations) use a timing chain, as does the 2.5-litre Skyactiv-G petrol. The 1.6-litre petrol and the diesel engines use a timing belt, not a chain, so if you have one of those units you need to search for a timing belt kit instead. Check your V5 or run a VIN check to confirm your exact engine code before ordering.

The Mazda 3 BL generation ran from 2009 to 2013, so a 2010 and a 2013 are both within the same generation, which is a promising start for interchangeability. Fitment is driven by engine code first, so you need to confirm both cars share the same engine code — a 2.0-litre chain-driven unit from one BL should correspond to the same chain as another BL 2.0. Confirm the exact engine codes with the breaker against your registration before buying, as mid-production detail changes can affect ancillary components.

The BM generation introduced the Skyactiv-G engine family, which is a different engine architecture from the earlier BK and BL units, so the timing chain from a BM-generation car is very unlikely to be compatible with a BL-generation car even if both are 2.0-litre petrols. This is a classic case where the generation boundary matters — name your engine code to the breaker and they will be able to confirm whether chains cross this divide. Do not assume badge or engine size alone means the parts are the same.

Trim level makes no difference to the timing chain whatsoever — SE, SE-L, Sport, and GT trims all use the same chain if they share the same engine code. The timing chain is an internal engine component and follows the engine, not the badge or equipment level. What matters is the engine code on your V5, so supply that to the breaker and ignore trim entirely when searching for this part.

Both a 2015 and a 2017 Mazda 3 fall within the BM generation (2013–2019), and if both carry the same Skyactiv-G 2.0 engine code the timing chain is very likely to be compatible. Confirm the engine codes match exactly before agreeing to buy, as Mazda did carry out running production updates and the breaker can verify this against your registration. This is a straightforward enquiry for any good dismantler once you supply your engine code.

The timing chain itself sits inside the engine and is not affected by whether the gearbox is manual or automatic — it is the same part provided the engine code matches. Gearbox type is relevant when sourcing drivetrain components like the gearbox itself or its associated parts, but for an internal engine component like the timing chain it simply does not matter. Give the breaker your engine code and they will be able to match the correct chain regardless of transmission.