Hello, i'm hoping to view an Octavia VRS at a dealership later this week. It's a 2008 car that's done just over 43000 miles. I'd like clarification regarding when to change the cambelt please.

 

Am i correct in thinking that it should be after 4 years or 60000 miles (whichever comes first)? If this is correct then presumably this car should be due a second belt change next year, when it will be 8 years old? The advert for this car shows pictures of the service book stamps. Each page has a list of checks to be made, with ticks indicating what work has been done. One of these tasks is a 'toothed belt change' - is this the same as a cambelt? If so then as yet it hasn't been changed since new, as there are no 'yes' ticks next to Toothed Belt Change in it's service history.

 

Am i right in thinking that when the original service schedules were written by VAG, that they misjudged when the cambelts on these engines should be changed? - did they state 120,000 miles? If i'm right about the belt not yet having been changed then i'm just wondering if the dealer would accept that as something that i could negotiate over, or would they just quote the service schedule's recommended 120k figure at me? 

 

Any thoughts/opinions will very much appreciated.

You might do better to post this in the Octavia Mk2 section or a better response. 

The recommended cambelt mileage has changed on some models, but VAG policy seems to be the mileage currently recommended or 4 years whichever comes first.

Is it a Skoda dealer that is selling the car? 

You might do better to post this in the Octavia Mk2 section or a better response. 

The recommended cambelt mileage has changed on some models, but VAG policy seems to be the mileage currently recommended or 4 years whichever comes first.

Is it a Skoda dealer that is selling the car? 

Thank you - yes, point taken about the Octavia section, i'll copy my post over there. No it's not a Skoda dealer as such but is the used car division of a VW dealership, so i imagine that they would be aware of the recommendations regarding the cambelt.