I've just purchased a 51 plate 1.4 16v Fabia with 72000 on the clock.During the discussion about the car the seller said the car needed a service and I noted that the cam belt had last been changed in 2011 during a main dealer service.He said if I agreed to pay the full asking price he would have the car serviced and replace the cam belt but not the water pump.Do I need to change the water pump at the same time and if so how much is this likely to add to the purchase price? Is it best to change at the same time? or do it later?!

Any advice gratefully received as the car is going to be serviced as early as tomorrow and I would like it sorted properly.Thanks!

Yes. Advisable to do with the belt. Pump isn't dear and maybe an hours extra labour and fresh coolant will be required.

Im guessing the belt was last changed around the 40k mark.and it prob didnt have waterpump replaced.

In which case definately get the pump changed along with fresh coolant and make sure he gets pulleys replaced too.

Cost of waterpump would be £30ish. Timing kit between 50 and 100 i would say.

Changing the water pump when the belt's out anyway is more like 15 minutes on the job than 1 hour.

 

As other's I'd change the water pump this time because if the last belt's on a dealer stamp it almost certainly wasn't done then, and you're approaching the sort of mileage at which they strip the spines or break up.

I noticed today that VW charge an extra £50 for including the waterpump replacement when changing the cambelt, maybe check Skoda menu pricing. (on-line)

Edited 14 August, 201510 yr by rum4mo

I noticed today that VW charge an extra £50 for including the waterpump replacement when changing the cambelt, maybe check Skoda menu pricing. (on-line)

I recently had belt.pump and coolant change from a very reliable indepedant garage. £260 all in. And got service book stamped id never go main dealer with second hand car

I recently had belt.pump and coolant change from a very reliable indepedant garage. £260 all in. And got service book stamped id never go main dealer with second hand car

 

While I agree with your logic, and that is what I always did with wife's late 2002 Polo 9N with the BBY engine, I did use a well known and respected VAG indie (Star Performance) and not just a "good" independent garage as some of these cars need a bit of specific tooling to do a good/safe/quick cambelt job.  The other issue is, times do seem to be hard now for the main dealer workshop trade and so it is always worth checking what deals they have on before going the independent root, I think VW were charging £295 and £345 for engines up to 2000cc without/with pump changed at the same time. With that you tend to get the latest incarnation of VAG parts used - as with most VAG indies, my place only sourced service parts from VAG but sometimes added other item(s) missed out from the official kit - based on their experience of these engines.

Thanks for all your advice so far! The other thing he told me about when I looked at the car was the boot doesn't open with the remote key only with the catch in the car.Is this likely to be difficult and expensive to fix?! The car has the more modern remote keys so I imagine they have been changed at some point in the past.

Just for info I recently had the cam belt and water pump done on my 1.4 16v and it cost me £200 using OEM parts at an indie skoda specialist garage. Very happy with the price and service so if your in/near Preston and need a recommendation drop me a line.