I've just got a 2006 1.9 diesel with the DSG box and was wondering when the Cam belt will need replacing? I have a horrid feeling it may be now as the car has just done 80k?

Also, the garage I bought it from said they were going to service the car before I picked it up, but the oil is blacker than any I've ever seen and I'm doubtful the work was done.(And if it was, I'm worried they didn't use the right oil as it wasn't a Skoda dealer and I'm told Octy's need special stuff)

What kind of prices do Skoda charge for servicing and is it worth me getting it done again by them to be sure it's been done correctly?

Due now I am afraid, 80K or 4 years.

Dont worry about the oil, fresh oil in a diesel goes black as coal soon as you start the engine.

A Skoda stealer sent a letter out recently saying the cambelt should be done at 4 yrs or 60K, a new revised limit. Unless it was a ploy to generate some work.

Cambelt is due now I'm affraid, so I hope you got a good price on the car.

As for the service, if you're not confident (have parts receipts) get the oil dropped and replaced with a VW507 oil and then decide if you want to stay on variable or fixed servicing. Mobil 1 ESP is a VW507 as are a few others.

It might well be worth asking a garage to do it while doing the cambelt as at that point the charge will be minimal.

I only do about 3k a year, mostly just to work and back and the odd trip to the coast.

Can anyone rec which is best, variable or fixed? I'm used to having my car serviced once a year so it's all new to me!

For that mileage definatley fixed, so it will remain once per year

You do about the same milage as me - Fixed servicing is the only option.

Variable monitors oil condition which will deteriorate faster when only doing short journeys so you will still likely end up having to have annual services but they will cost more.

I'm going to give Skoda a ring after work tomorrow and see what I can sort out with the belt and service. Then I know the car should be good for awhile. I paid £4900 for it, and apart from these couple of servicing issues all has been well so far, so hopefully I didn't do too badly.

Thanks for the help everyone!

MMM- just a thought -Garage said they'd serviced it - might be worth asking garage if as experts why they didn't check to see if the service required that they do a belt change -so what can they do - any others of this opinion ( mine is that it didn't get a full service as stated )

It's certainly worth a go, as a service at 80k miles does include the cambelt and tensioners etc by the book. It's listed as an additional item at 120k km.

Personally I'd want to know what oil they used in the car too as the wrong oil *can* allow a lot of damage quite quickly in a PD.