Is this a good, genuine offer?

jasonb

Hi there,

We're looking at replacing my wife's car, and we've been visiting a few garages, both main dealers and independant garages. We're looking at diesels and one of the many things we've been asking about is timing belts, when they're due, whether it's been changed etc. (depending on mileage).

Anyhow, we saw a 2011 Renault Grand Scenic today, with 41,500 miles on it. The guy offered us a decent price, and out of habit I asked about the Timing Belt. He told us it was fine, but if it was important to us he'd change the timing belt, water pump etc. etc. for another €250 on the asking price.

I've checked and Renault recommend around 72k miles for the timing belt, so it should be nowhere near needing to be changed yet. On face value his offer is decent, he's offering to address a concern we brought up, and from what I can see it's a decent price for that work too. But part of my mind is niggling as to why he offered (instead of just saying 'it's fine for another 30k miles). Is he just trying to get another €250, or is he concerned about the condition of the engine himself? Or am I just thinking about it too much?

What are your thoughts? Would you be suspicious of the offer? Would you accept it and get the work done? Are the any reasons why *not* to do the timing belt at only 41k miles instead of 72k miles? If we got it done I assume it'd then be due again at approx. 113k miles?

Any advice appreciated, thanks...

J.

The Bishop Basher

He's a salesman. Of course he'd like to take another €250 off you. Nothing wrong with that though.

I'd be lifting the bonnet to double check that there's a new belt in.

colm_mcm

Sounds like it's a UK import?
Do you have evidence of service history?

jasonb

Yep, it is a UK import, and there's a full service history (that looked ok to my eyes) and while it's not exaustive, the car checks out ok on Motorcheck...

J.

colm_mcm

Garage entertaining the idea of doing the belt so early vs mileage on clocks had me a bit suspicious is all.

Wheelnut

Aw for God's sake Jason, he shows you a car at a price and you like it. Then you raise one worry you have (nothing wrong with that) and he offers to do the work for €250. He's not offering to "throw it in", just do it at what is probably cost price. Now you're wondering is there something else wrong because he made the offer!

You can reject the offer and have it done yourself for full price at about 60k (72k might be a bit long), or you can let him do it at cost price and have comfort for 60k miles. Of course you can get someone to check that the work is done and you would be right.

That €250 bill will probably be the smallest bill you you will get during your ownership of the Scenic, so grab it while it's going.

bazz26

If I'm reading this right then I don't seen where the issue is.

The car has 41k miles, you asked about the timing belt which they said was fine and Renault confirmed that the recommended interval is 72k miles. He offered to change the belt and water pump for €250 to ease your mind and now you are suspicious of the offer?

Have you verified the mileage and service history or just looked at the service book? What sort of warranty is coming with the car?

ottostreet

Life's too short for a diesel Renault Scenic.

djimi

If I was being overly cautious then I might think that he was so quick to offer to change the belt because the mileage is not genuine and he doesnt want the car coming back to him in the next 20k miles because a timing belt has snapped after being long overdue a change (despite what the clock says). That would be worst case scenario though and probably not the case. Verify the mileage (as you should either way) and you should be fine.

jasonb

Thanks for all your replies...

Yep, i do think I'm being far too suspicious here, looking for problems where there are none. Whenever we get a new 2nd hand car I'm always wary of inheriting someone else's problem, so I get quite suspicious of anything really!

He said there's still some time left on the manufacturer's warranty and then he'll put a year's warranty on top of that. Service History and Motorcheck agree with the mileage on the car. I don't really know any other way to confirm the mileage?

Thanks...

Jason.