I have just bought an ex police 05 reg Skoda Octavia VRS - the dealer (independent) said the cambelt has been done - however I want to double check with whoever serviced it to make sure it was done as all I have is a print out saying it was serviced every 10k - but no details as to what was done other than 10k service, 30k service (every 3rd service). It's done 81k, and was last serviced at 80k. Should the cambelt be done at 4 years / 60k?

Is there anyway of finding out which Skoda dealer serviced it? I've phoned my local Skoda dealer but they don't know where it was done. The car was owned by Hampshire police.

Thanks in advance for any help

Josh

Edited 22 December, 200817 yr by joshwa

I'd want documentary evidence that it had been done - if it's not marked in the service book, there should be a receipt somewhere or how would the dealer know? When you say all you have is a printout, does that mean you weren't given the official service book? 4Y/60k is a good time to change the belt, and if it was ex-police you'd imagine they'd have done it for safety but it's still worth demanding to see the document that informed the dealer of the change.

Maybe phone the traffic div. of Hampshire police?

I'd want documentary evidence that it had been done - if it's not marked in the service book, there should be a receipt somewhere or how would the dealer know? When you say all you have is a printout, does that mean you weren't given the official service book? 4Y/60k is a good time to change the belt, and if it was ex-police you'd imagine they'd have done it for safety but it's still worth demanding to see the document that informed the dealer of the change.

I've got a print out with the Hampshire police logo, and then a list of the mileage and what servive was done eg:

10,000 miles - 10k service

20,000 miles - 10k service

30,000 miles - 30k service etc

And that's all it says - so not much help - I'll phone the dealer to see if they can get me details of where it was serviced and ask them if they can get a copy of the full service history.

Do some forces not do servicing themselves? Is there anything to say it was actually serviced at a dealer?

Greater Manchester Police do all its own servicing (warranty work is usually sent out to dealer).

Hampshire Police have their own workshops, so would think its the same for them.

GMP never stamp the service book, but all the traffic and specialist vehicles are serviced every 5000 miles. - again thats probably the case for most forces.

I was under the impression that all cars would be sold with proof of maintanance and receipts for all parts?

That way, if they do service them themselves, you can see that the parts were at least bought to do the work needed.

Phoned the dealer - they said yes Hampshire do their own servicing. He's going to find out about the cambelt for me and let me know tomorrow.

beaten to it, but all major vehicle users (police, parcel firms etc) usually do their own services as its cheaper to employ a mechanic to do it than keep sending 60+ vehciles in to be done by a dealer.

beaten to it, but all major vehicle users (police, parcel firms etc) usually do their own services as its cheaper to employ a mechanic to do it than keep sending 60+ vehciles in to be done by a dealer.

Indeed, I worked for Bucks Fire and Rescue after finishing my apprenticeshp servicing the fleet.

Do some forces not do servicing themselves? Is there anything to say it was actually serviced at a dealer?

West Midlands service their own cars, or did, a few years ago.

If there is any dought over the cambelt replacement, then get it done again.

The police do service their cars more frequently than is required by the manufacturer usually. Many do 5-7.5K intervals regardless.

If it's over the age or mileage, then I'd say it'd be done. They wouldnt want a car to blow up on them during a shout

Is it a silver one mate ?

I wouldn't worry about the quality of servicing myself I'm sure the spannercops are quite capable of keeping it up together, as for the cambelt if you can slip the cover off you should be able to see the condition of it, if it's the same arrangement as the 1.9 TDi's there's two clips holding the top half of the cover on, easy to check, and if it looks faded get it changed, what miles does it have on it?

If there is any dought over the cambelt replacement, then get it done again.

:iagree:

For the sake of £200ish it's not worth the risk.

Just read it at the top 81k, I'd bet it hasn't been done myself, a lot of Skoda's are 80k for a belt, and the disposal of the car at that mileage times well with lets get out before it start's to cost.

I though the cam belt was 60k/4yrs?

Going up to 80k would be risky, especially when the police need reliability.