Hi

I've just purchased a 57 plate skoda Octavia vrs tdi with 76k on the clock. Been offered by the dealer to change the cam belt for £135 do you think I should take this or do u think I should leave it until the car reaches 80 k and then get it done? Also if I do leave it until then how much will I be looking to get this done?

Cheers

Grab this deal with both hands. I can't see you getting a cambelt change for less than 400.

Personally I'd go for it, I'd say the cheapest you could normally get it done for is about £250 so it's a good price.

If I had a VRS with that mileage........i'd be worried about it not being done (some people think the whole cam belt change thing is a con but it's piece of mind)

Dougall

He said that because I have bought the car off him he wouldn't charge me for labour to change the cam belt do I need to have the water pump and tensioners done as well?

He said that because I have bought the car off him he wouldn't charge me for labour to change the cam belt do I need to have the water pump and tensioners done as well?

I would do thr WP and tensioner as well for peace of mind. Get it done at that price!

Cool I think I will get it done.

Thanks for all the help guys.

BITE THERE HANDS OFF.............................

Is £135 from a authorised Skoda dealer?

Make sure new water pump, tensioner and pullies etc list above are included.

Alos I would make sure genuine Skoda parts are fitted!

My local Skoda dealer wants near on £500.00 for above!

Wish I lived on UK mainland, only 1 Skoda dealer in Jersey!

Is £135 from a authorised Skoda dealer?

Make sure new water pump, tensioner and pullies etc list above are included.

Alos I would make sure genuine Skoda parts are fitted!

My local Skoda dealer wants near on £500.00 for above!

Wish I lived on UK mainland, only 1 Skoda dealer in Jersey!

No it's not from a authorised skoda dealer.

I think they are genuine skoda parts

You think I should still go for it?

So for a PD Tdi VRS are you expected to change the belt every 4 years or 80k?

IIRC Skoda to a Cambelt Kit which includes all the parts (belt, water pump & bolts etc) and this is significantly cheaper than buying them separately.

See if the dealer will stand for that, then rip their hands off!!

Seems like a very attractive deal, but as mentioned - get them to detail in writing what will be changed. To make it worthwhile that needs to be the belt itself, belt tensioners and also the waterpump. It's unlikely that the pump is included but is a small cost in parts terms at £40ish and doesn't add to the labour time needed overall.

Steve

So for a PD Tdi VRS are you expected to change the belt every 4 years or 80k?

yeah i would like to know as well, as mine is 3 years old and on 68k, dont know weather to get it done none or wait until june when i have it serviced

The age old 3 years / 4 years / 60K / 70K / 80K debate still going strong I see!

Personally - 4 years or 80K is plenty long enough for a cambelt change.

Weigh up how much an engine rebuild will be if it fails at 6 years and 50K and you didn't have it changed!

IIRC the manual says 90k miles but my dealer rec'd after 4 yrs as they have had instances of failure at that age. Will be getting mine done this month. I was quoted £300 and odd but cannot remember the exact figure. I will check myself that this is for the kit and not just the belt itself.