Warranty vs Cambelt

[mmmunch]

Eye on a car but I queried if the cam belt had been replaced. Dealer says no as manufacturers states 120k as per schedule.

I checked with manufacturer who confirmed 120k or 5 years, whichever is sooner.
Car is 2013 with 90k so clearly should have been done. Dealer has said the car comes with a 'comprehensive' third party warranty that will cover if the engine goes bang.

My view is that in the event of an issue the warranty provider will happily wiggle out of it as clearly the cambelt clearly hasn't been changed as per manufacturers schedule, and if that's the case the warranty is all but worthless (for engine related problems).

For info, car is an Audi, 2.0 diesel, at a decent independent.

They have offered to do the cambelt (at cost to me) but I guess my issue having the cost of the warranty added as part of the purchase price that could be all but worthless in the event of an issue.

Walk away or further point for negotiation (although thus far unwilling to drop).

J

[ZX10R NIN]

This ^^^^^

If it's due a cambelt change either negotiate this off of the cost of the car or walk away why should you have to argue with the Warranty Company who will tell you that you haven't followed the maintenance schedule therefore aren't covered.

[stevemcs]

As above, the warranty company won't pay out as its overdue. Personally i'd find another car.

[Finglonga]

Personally I would walk away as if they have ignored the cam belt schedule what else has the last owner ignored.

[Sheepshanks]

The trouble is the VAG 5yr change thing is a recommendation - if you look in the service schedule it'll say 120K miles.

Wife has one of the latest diesels and it was stated when engine (EA288) was introduced that the belt would be lifetime, but VW are still saying it needs to be changed at 5yrs.

[Novexx]

Dealer just trying to save a few quid & pass the costs onto you .

I wouldn't advise walking - I would say run!

[CaptainSlow]

Is the car priced to factor in that the cambelt needs doing? If so just get it done...try and get it at their rates though.

As for the warranty...complete scams at the best of times...don't trust them to cover the things they should let alone an overdue cambelt.

[VAGLover]

Walk away. Plenty more cars in the sea

[WonkeyDonkey]

If the warranty do pay out i suspect they will just pay for a new cam belt. Not for the rest of the stuff it wrecks!

[Matt_E_Mulsion]

I agree with the comments above. Just one thought though, if the car is competitively priced and it ticks all of your other boxes, but the dealer is still refusing to put a belt on it, maybe you could suggest that if you pay for the parts, they fit it for 'free' - a bit of a compromise on both sides.

[Twig62]

Matt_E_Mulsion said:

I agree with the comments above. Just one thought though, if the car is competitively priced and it ticks all of your other boxes, but the dealer is still refusing to put a belt on it, maybe you could suggest that if you pay for the parts, they fit it for 'free' - a bit of a compromise on both sides.

This, then you can ensure that a decent quality belt is supplied together with a tensioner kit and a water pump - assuming it's driven by the cam belt.

[CaptainSlow]

WonkeyDonkey said:

If the warranty do pay out i suspect they will just pay for a new cam belt.

No chance.

[alabbasi]

Just make them change the belt before you buy the car or negotiate the price of a new cam belt. If they want the sale, they'll agree to it.

[steveo3002]

if you decide you need the car dont have them do the belt , if they do chances are they will fit the cheapest one they can find and or forget to do rollers /pump /other bits to save a few quid

some places like that have a local bodger that does stuff on the cheap

get it done at a decent independent that will provide receipts etc

[shake n bake]

The warranty would not cover the belt if it was overdue.
If the cars priced well then buy it, if it’s a reputable dealer then pay for the belt as well, be sure to have it invoiced so the warranty will be with them.

[joropug]

I had a car snap it's belt at 62k at 10 years old. The schedule was 60k/10 years.

Forged service history not my choosing, don't skimp get it done yourself and be confident it's done right.

[DaveH23]

mmmunch said:

at a decent independent.

They clearly aren't.