Hi all whats the best thing to do I have an 06 plate vrs with 40k on the clock , is it advisable to get it replaced at such a low mileage even tho its 4 years old , I just don't want to have my pants pulled down if its not necessary , I was on the assumption cam belts didn't need addressing till at least 60 k .

All advice will be welcomed cheers

Plus wats it likely to cost seein as money is tight

Garage was adamant that cambelt needed changing evey 4 years - sounds excessive to me, and am planning to move on before 8 years comes up. Count on £200+ for peace of mind.

Skoda UK changed the cambelt replacement requirements a few years ago - presumably after seeing reports that the belt was failing more quickly than expected. If it fails while you are driving, it could cause a major accident and will almost certainly require a new expensive engine. If you have an extended warranty, that will not cover the cost as you have not followed Skoda's servicing requirements.

So it could be a very expensive gamble not to change it!!

My 06 Octy has only needed a couple of services in ts life, and I had mine changed at its 4 year service.

Chris

i just bought mine from a vauxhall dealer and its an 06 plate with 34k on the clock, i mentioned it to them and they look into it (i already new it says in the user manual to change it every 160,000kms or 4 years) and they fitted a replacement cambelt kit before i picked it up. I know they definately did because they left the header tank unbolted, cross threader the bolts for the washer filler neck and left another bolt with no nut on it.

anyways best to get it done and be safe rather than sorry i reckon, that and get the water pump done while theyre there

Hi all whats the best thing to do I have an 06 plate vrs with 40k on the clock , is it advisable to get it replaced at such a low mileage even tho its 4 years old , I just don't want to have my pants pulled down if its not necessary , I was on the assumption cam belts didn't need addressing till at least 60 k .

All advice will be welcomed cheers

Plus wats it likely to cost seein as money is tight

40,000 ain't low mileage its about average for a 4 year old car and cambelts do deteriate even if the mileage is lower

40,000 ain't low mileage its about average for a 4 year old car and cambelts do deteriate even if the mileage is lower

didn't realise that cheers

It's frustrating that manufacturers make their engines dependent on rubber bands. My last car, a Jazz had a timing chain as does SWMBO's BMW - virtually never needs anything.

Worst car we had for camblet was a Megane - £650 to change!

Next car I buy, one of the key questions I'm looking at is exactly how much am I going to be stiched up to maintain this tin can.........

My 1.9TDI is only on 37K and is 4 years old in November and my Skoda dealer said it will definately need changing regardless of mileage.

Quoted £530 all in including a water pump which they say is a must also at the same time.

They quote the 4 year time span on the basis that the rubber will deteriorate over time with exposure to heat and oil. It is aired on the side of caution.

I also think that if you do low mileage it would take a long time to reach the 80k mark when it would need changing

Example: by doing 5000 miles per year would take 16 years before you have the cambelt done

Considering the belt is made very similar to a car tyre, you wouldn't drive on the same rubber for 16 years