I`ve got a 57 plate Octavia VRS (2.0TDI PD) and just called to book in the 2nd service (variable servicing) at 4 years old and 27k miles.

The garage said standard service, plus brake fluid (every 2 years) and MOT, then said they checked the service requirements and said its due a cambelt, at 4 years.

I just checked the service schedule with the hand book and this says: "In addition every 150 000 km - replace toothed belt (diesel engines)"

for the 4 year service it just says "Inspect condition and tension of ribbed v-belt"

whats the really story here, have VAG/Skoda changed the cambelt service internal, or just the garage trying it on?!

Cheers, Andy

Cambelts are changed on mileage or every 4 years, whichever comes first. They are made of rubber and will deteriorate over time, just like tyres.

The v-belt is the accessory drive belt, if I'm reading it right.

Yeah 4 years for a cambelt

Isn't it just VAG UK that have the 4 year recommendation?

There's different rubbers & different times. Mine's 4 year old & will be changed next month but I wish it was ok until the 150000km that non-UK VAG apparently recommend

JUST HAD MINE CHANGED after 4 years. cheaper than a new engine :giggle:

the belt will probably last ages longer, but are you willing to take the risk?

Four years because of possible age deterioration regardless of mileage - Also many suggest you change water pump at same time as cambelt - I believe the reason being that it can eventually seize up and cause the cambelt to jump teeth but I am prepared to be corrected on the reason - but if you look on here most have cambelt and water pump done at same time.

Edited 16 August, 201114 yr by hugothebear

Yup 4yr. Just paid out for this inc water-pump (changed from plastic to brass impeller)....

And a large service....

And two tyres...

And tax...

Lend us a quid?

Edited 16 August, 201114 yr by Aspman

I had a cambelt go on a Ford. I will NEVER skimp on replacement again :'(

Particularly on the petrol engines, the waterpump impellor is quite likely to break up or strip its drive splines at about 6 years. Since changing the waterpump is a 15 minute job if done with the cambelt, or takes as long as a cambelt and needs a new belt as well if it's not switched, changing it is good preventative maintenance.

There is no time limit now on the belt - service book states 100k miles. Same in my Dads 1.4TSI Golf which is a 57 plate.

It's also the tensioners which you have to watch. Have seen incidents of the tensioners failing, but the physical condition of the belt being fine.

As said - why take the risk?

There is no time limit now on the belt - service book states 100k miles. Same in my Dads 1.4TSI Golf which is a 57 plate.

Really? How long has this been the case? :S

Really? How long has this been the case? :S

Well its in the book for my Dad's 57 plate so.....4 plus years i guess!

Do they refer to this as the timing belt?

Appears mine was changed last year on my new car

There is no time limit now on the belt - service book states 100k miles. Same in my Dads 1.4TSI Golf which is a 57 plate.

That's the issue - what the books says (certainly in my 07's book) & VAG UK is different. Any UK garage will tell you it's 4 years. Outside of the UK I believe it as per the book.

That's the issue - what the books says (certainly in my 07's book) & VAG UK is different. Any UK garage will tell you it's 4 years. Outside of the UK I believe it as per the book.

I know who I would believe...and its not Vag UK unless just the UK causes them to deteriorate quicker than any other country

Mine also says 100k with no age listed.

For those that have extended warranties with Skoda UK would not changing the belt at four years cause problems in the event of a failure?

For those that have extended warranties with Skoda UK would not changing the belt at four years cause problems in the event of a failure?

Besides what I have read on the internet neither myself or my dad (who's car is now 4 years old) has received any correspondence on the contrary to what the book says so can't really see how they could argue it. Same with my bora, no correspondence. They could easily put an addendum in the service schedule if it was a risk.

For those that have extended warranties with Skoda UK would not changing the belt at four years cause problems in the event of a failure?

That's my belief. My dealer has a prominent sign on their service desk about the 4 year limit.

True, if it is in fact now four years then you would hope Skoda would make some effort to alert owners.

I only found out by chance, when I purchased an extended service plan my local dealer mentioned that my fourth (fixed) service would involve increased expense due to the need for a cam belt change.

Skoda can't guarantee that you use their dealer network to have your car serviced either so they can't rely on you being informed as I was...

When I bought my first Skoda last year it had 58K on it & was four years old. The salesman told me the previous owner had just had the belt done because he was 'anal'. When I 'upgraded' this year to a 3.5 year old Skoda with only 38K on it I never thought anything of it. A month or so later I read about it here & THEN saw the sign at the dealer. I gave the (different) salesman some good-humoured grief about it as I'd have tried my best to get the belt done as part of the initial deal if I'd known. The salesman wasn't aware of it! He must walk pass the bloody sign numerous times a day!

I know who I would believe...and its not Vag UK unless just the UK causes them to deteriorate quicker than any other country

Mine also says 100k with no age listed.

Skoda UK revised their stance about 2 years ago, after several belt failures before the 100K and customers rightly kicking off at them when following THEIR advice in the book.

The 4 year limit has always been banded about as long as I've owned Skoda's (2nd Octavia now), it's just the mileages Skoda kept changing over the last 4 years. Up down, up, down. Finally they're set a limit for all cars. I think Diesels get a bit more unless they've now set everything at 40k.

My car has only done 34k but it is 5 years old . I asked my mechanic a quote for doing the belt was quoted about £400 , he said he would do it now but I would be ok to leave it to 50k . I dont know what to think .