Took off top inspection cover on timing belt to inspect, having a bit of spare time. Timing belt was as new, no signs of wear, cam pulleys sparkling clean no sign of dust. Car 5 years old, 102000 kms with zero faults or issues. I will not have the belt replaced as dealers suggest but follow Skoda advice and inspect regularly. Amazes me the different recommendations for the servicing of this belt from so called Master Technicians when it is laid down quite clearly in the Skoda manual.

As an aside I also have a my20 Karoq purchased November 2019 and that is a super car, the Octavia is nicer to drive as it is manual, manual Karoq not available in Oz.

Regards

Roger

I asked to keep the cambelt when it was last changed on my car, while it looked fine on a cursory glance when you bent the belt back slightly you could see small cracks in the belt by most of the teeth. It would probably have lasted many more years or maybe not that is the risk you take not getting it changed as per recommendation. If you are happy with your inspection happy days and best of luck to you.

On 15/01/2020 at 21:55, mobil531 said:

Took off top inspection cover on timing belt to inspect, having a bit of spare time. Timing belt was as new, no signs of wear, cam pulleys sparkling clean no sign of dust. Car 5 years old, 102000 kms with zero faults or issues. I will not have the belt replaced as dealers suggest but follow Skoda advice and inspect regularly. Amazes me the different recommendations for the servicing of this belt from so called Master Technicians when it is laid down quite clearly in the Skoda manual.

As an aside I also have a my20 Karoq purchased November 2019 and that is a super car, the Octavia is nicer to drive as it is manual, manual Karoq not available in Oz.

Regards

Roger

I am in a similar situation with my 2014 mk3 1.4tsi which has only done 62k km although there has been no comment or pressure from the Skoda dealers regarding changing it when it was in for replacement of the water pump in February last year and separate major service a few months later.

 

Servicing is more or less on a yearly schedule and we drive to local speed limits so the revs rarely go over 3500 rpm so I reckon I'm safe for a couple more years although I admit it is a calculated risk.

 

I prefer manual transmissions and the reducing numbers of this option across the Skoda range (in Australia) may mean I have to look elsewhere come replacement time.