Cambelt just changed- would you buy?

[glazbagun]

Thinking about moving on from my GTI mkV to something less grown up, however it's just ticked over 120K, the last belt change was 55k-ish and five years ago and it has a good history of maintainence receipts, the most recent being an oil & brake fluid change at a local indy in Jan.

If you were buying a car would it put you off that the cambelt was changed only last week? It has to be better than "will need cambelt changing soon" right?

This is why I could never be a salesman.

[Jasandjules]

Uh no it would put me off more if I needed to pay for the cambelt to be changed.

[TooLateForAName]

As long as it was done properly at a decent garage.

So not just change the belt, but tensioners/pulleys/water pump as appropriate for the engine.
With full invoices showing quality parts at decent 'known' garage.

Without that I'd be concerned that it might have been done on the cheap and hence I'd be looking at having to do it properly anyway.

[StottyEvo]

I'd sell it without the cambelt changed and wouldn't mention it unless asked. Spending £600 on the cambelt changing won't put £600 on the value of the car, its practically throwing money away.

[japaneseskoda]

glazbagun said:

If you were buying a car would it put you off that the cambelt was changed only last week?

I'm not sure what you are getting at here, but it might be me............... Surely a car with a new cam belt is better than one that needs doing?

[PompeyPaul]

Why on earth would it put someone off? Maybe if not done at a reputable garage but otherwise no.

Just don't expect it to add the value of what you spend out on it.

[plenty]

glazbagun said:

If you were buying a car would it put you off that the cambelt was changed only last week?

Huh? Why would it put anyone off?

[danjama]

Don't get it done.

Put in the ad - belt needs doing, this and other factors are already factored into the price.

Sorted.

[SEE YA]

japaneseskoda said:

glazbagun said:

If you were buying a car would it put you off that the cambelt was changed only last week?

I'm not sure what you are getting at here, but it might be me............... Surely a car with a new cam belt is better than one that needs doing?

+1 When I look at any car, around 100k miles cambelt/water pump due or should have been done already.

It should be in the cars history somewhere.

I have just bought one, around those miles, first thing I found out was cambelt etc done.

Edited by SEE YA on Saturday 21st March 19:32

[glazbagun]

Good to see I'm just being paranoid. Will get it done.

[Escy]

StottyEvo said:

I'd sell it without the cambelt changed and wouldn't mention it unless asked. Spending £600 on the cambelt changing won't put £600 on the value of the car, its practically throwing money away.

Totally agree. Don't bother, just sell it as it is.

[Liokault]

As long it was actually done, not just a tick in the book.

[KM666]

Its what i've done. Might even have the same engine as you. Mine isnt even at 120k yet but had it done and want to move on from vag now. Getting mine done upset a sensor so need to replace that before parting ways.

[soad]

Yes, I'd buy.
Recently rebuilt engines don't put me off either.

[plenty]

I still don't understand why a fresh cam belt would put a buyer off, any more than "just serviced" or "new tyres"? Surely it's a plus not a minus?

[jc84]

Escy said:

Totally agree. Don't bother, just sell it as it is.

Spot on. Just sold one with cambelt due. I didn't mention it. He didn't mention it. Everyone happy!

[Krikkit]

PompeyPaul said:

Why on earth would it put someone off? Maybe if not done at a reputable garage but otherwise no.

Just don't expect it to add the value of what you spend out on it.

Why would this put anyone off if done at home rather than a garage? If there's an invoice for an oe-equivalent cambelt kit with tensioners and water pump etc what's the difference?