Long life timing belt on a Citroen Berlingo - 10 years???

boomerang

I'm in the process of buying a 1.4 Citroen Berlingo, 2001 model. There's 67k on the clock and nothing written on the engine or in the service booklet to indicate the timing belt has ever been replaced to date.

The dealer says that the Citroen Berlingo has a "long life" timing belt and only needs replacing every ten years?

I'm a bit incredulous. Any of the other Berlingos or Kangoos I've taken for a test drive have all had their timing belts done before 67k.

The other thing that's bothering me is that I ran a report on the car on Cartell, and the chassis no. the dealer gave me is not a match. Could there be a reasonable explanation for this?

I've given them a €200 deposit, would hate to lose it but tempted to walk away now, especially as I think there may be a problem with the clutch as well.

Gary ITR

That car sounds like a good runner.... As in take a good run away from it

boomerang

They are looking at the clutch today and are to ring me back on it. Basically it's quite stiff, so I'm worried the clutch cable might be on the way out.

I just rang the main Citroen dealers in my home town, they confirmed the t/b in a Berlingo Multispace has to be done at 10 years or at 70,000 miles - whichever comes first. They quoted a replacement cost (including labour) of €650-€700. Yikes!

Seeing as there is 67k on the clock now, the timing belt should be done now. I'm not going to risk it snapping before 70k. If the crowd I'm buying the car from will not replace the timing belt before I drive away, I am walking away from the deal, deposit or no deposit.

Edited to add: This dealer has been operating for 50 years, good reputation and SIMI-registered, so I would have thought everything would be above board.

What has me annoyed is that they said on Friday "nothing leaves out forecourt without everything needed being done to it - timing belt, service, tyres, window wiper rubbers..." Then when they've made the sale (or so they think) it's a different story.

Gary ITR

The VIN number mis match would bother me. Why don't you get a full report?

Simi means very little these days too op

craichoe

boomerang wrote: »

I'm in the process of buying a 1.4 Citroen Berlingo, 2001 model. There's 67k on the clock and nothing written on the engine or in the service booklet to indicate the timing belt has ever been replaced to date.

The dealer says that the Citroen Berlingo has a "long life" timing belt and only needs replacing every ten years?

I'm a bit incredulous. Any of the other Berlingos or Kangoos I've taken for a test drive have all had their timing belts done before 67k.

The other thing that's bothering me is that I ran a report on the car on Cartell, and the chassis no. the dealer gave me is not a match. Could there be a reasonable explanation for this?

I've given them a €200 deposit, would hate to lose it but tempted to walk away now, especially as I think there may be a problem with the clutch as well.

Alot of the Cartell data can be wrong, my car came up as a Different Color and model.

travisman

I never thought that honda timing belt kit can go as long as 10 years. I have this before on my Citroen but only lasted for four or five years.

lomb

Its a used car, therefore it will never be like the day it rolled out of the factory.
The belt isnt due for another 3k miles so you cant expect them to change it. 500 or 600 is a fair price including water pump and that should last the rest of the cars life a small price for peace of mind. You just need to factor it into the price paid for it.

keithclancy

hcvti

Just found this site called mytimingbelt.com, it tells you what stage the timing belt needs replacing,
http://www.mytimingbelt.com