Hi,

I'm looking for some clarification about the correct cam belt change intervals on my 1.9td. I've just had a flyer from Skoda saying that it should be changed every four years - with a discount offer to do it for £299. However my car, which is 4 years old, has only done 55k miles. The service book says to inspect the belt at 4 years or 37500 miles (60,000 km) and change the belt at 93750 miles (150,000 km). So it seems to be able to almost double the current mileage distance before it needs a change, unless inspection indicates otherwise.

Perhaps they have changed the interval since I bought the car (an 08 plate).

Has anyone had a problem with this belt? All advice gratefully received.

Michael L

Can of worms well and truly opened!

Skoda owners manuals do not mention the four year interval, only the required distance at which it should be inspected/changed.

However Skoda UK's official stance is four years irrespective of mileage.

They also include a disclaimer in the manual that you should check with a local retailer for the latest information - which now includes the four year interval.

Whether you choose to follow that recommendation (when you consider that it isn't the same for other European markets) or choose to follow the advice in the manual (which could be claimed is out of date the day after it is printed) is your choice.

Your choice will depend on whether you believe Skoda's blanket four year interval is a money making scheme or is indeed as a result of premature/unexpected failures on older cars.

The cost of a failed cambelt compared to the £299 to swap it out every four years makes the decision easy for me.

and you can't tell if it needs replacing by inspecting it really - they look like new after 60K miles.

Peace of mind, mine was change on 4 years and only 40,000 miles.

£75 a year seems a small amount to make sure you don't have a major issue if it were to go

I changed mine at 4 years old and 45k on the clock. Why? Well, peace of mind really. I could have left it until 93750 miles but I wanted peace of mind as I'm doing a 100 miles a day commute.

It's your call.

FP

Had mine done at 4 years and 41K.