Timing Belt

Dermot2468

On the search for a new car (focus). I'm noticing a lot of cars saying that they had the belt changed at x miles, but on a phone call they have no proof that it was replaced, or else just tippex on the engine.

Just wondering what the general consensus is? walk away or take their word for it?

Anan1

Dermot2468 wrote: »

On the search for a new car (focus). I'm noticing a lot of cars saying that they had the belt changed at x miles, but on a phone call they have no proof that it was replaced, or else just tippex on the engine.

Just wondering what the general consensus is? walk away or take their word for it?

If you don't have proof that it's been done then you need to budget for the cost of doing it when you buy the car.

Ronnie Beck

Dermot2468 wrote: »

walk away or take their word for it?

depends on the car. If it only worth 600 quid a tipex mark would be good enough for me. Changing the belt will be 3-400 so probably not worth it. If the car is worth more I'd change it regardless.

Some focus's have a chain. The newer one's definitely do. Worth looking into .

edit: From reading the google some 16v have a belt and chain. Which year/engine you looking at?

biko

This has been up many times.
For me, when someone doesn't bother with having a proper service history or even saving the receipt for such an expensive and important job it points to them not being very good at maintaining the car.
Who knows what else "was forgotten"...

canhefixit

biko wrote: »

This has been up many times.
For me, when someone doesn't bother with having a proper service history or even saving the receipt for such an expensive and important job it points to them not being very good at maintaining the car.
Who knows what else "was forgotten"...

I would 2nd this comment...

It would be a good selling point of the car to have the belt changed and have a receipt to prove it, if they havent got any paperwork to show it been done I would defo factor the cost of replacing it into the asking price..

Dermot2468

Cheers for the help. Looking at the 1.6 mk1 so timing belt afaik.


Ones like these make me very suspicious

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/5019325

"All service done last month oils, filters, breakepads, timing belt, etc. "

anyone know how much to expect to pay an indie garage for a focus tb?

ando

I'd tend to leave it. No proof usually means not done

Cheensbo

Dermot2468 wrote: »

Cheers for the help. Looking at the 1.6 mk1 so timing belt afaik.


Ones like these make me very suspicious

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/5019325

"All service done last month oils, filters, breakepads, timing belt, etc. "

anyone know how much to expect to pay an indie garage for a focus tb?

A good way to knock the "recent service" claims down is to see the dust covered & rusty oil filter that clearly hasn't been off in years.. or pop open the air box and see the collection of last autumns leaves..

Henry Ford III

Dermot2468 wrote: »

Cheers for the help. Looking at the 1.6 mk1 so timing belt afaik.


Ones like these make me very suspicious

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/5019325

"All service done last month oils, filters, breakepads, timing belt, etc. "

anyone know how much to expect to pay an indie garage for a focus tb?

That alone would put me off.