Timing chain replacement Polo 1.2

[Harleyboy]

Hi, I’m looking to buy a 9-10 year old Polo 1.2 for my daughter. Timing chains need replacing at 70k miles I think - Does anyone know likely cost from an independent to change this?
I’ve seen a car on 70k that hasn’t had it done so need to factor the cost in. It’s a 1.2SE 5 door for £3500. I think it’s overpriced esp as needs servicing and chain doing.

Any knowledge out there?

[catso]

Do they need replacing as a service item?

My Son's got an '04, 1.2 Polo with 120k+ miles, never had the cam chain replaced and runs fine. I Would imagine quite an expensive job labour wise

[Matt_E_Mulsion]

Are you confusing the timing chain with a timing belt? The chain only needs replacing if it's stretched or otherwise worn. I think they were problematic on that engine so it would be an unknown quantity buying it at that mileage. I believe that one of the first signs of a stretched chain is the engine management light showing up a timing fault.

[Harleyboy]

Maybe I was getting confused but some cars are advertised as having had it the chain (some say belt) changed. Phoned an independent today and they said not an issue unless it’s really noisy for more than a couple of seconds. They seem capable of big miles so think will do it. Many thanks for the replies

[anonymous-user]

Cambelt 60k/5 years whichever is sooner. Timin chain should be good for 100k/8 years unless, as stated, has stretched. The ECU light will come on and will become very difficult to start. That's the time to call a tow truck otherwise severe engine damage can result.

[mercedeslimos]

Those 1.2 chain engines are absolute junk. Not only do the chains stretch with alarming regularity (It's a Polo, many, many times it will have had its oil changes stretched or neglected), they also crack cylinder heads. A mate had one recently, 2006 with a BMD 4-valve per cylinder (Some had 2) and it refused to idle completely. Just as well that he crashed it coming off a roundabout a week before it was due to get a grand's worth of replacement.