Worth changing timing belt before sale?

pm1977x

If selling or trading in your car will it achieve a higher price with a fresh timing belt or will it cost you more to do it than you'd see back in the sale/trade-in price?

My guess is the latter, but keen to hear other views.

(Let's say this hypothetical car is 8 years old, recommended age interval is 5 years, but is approx 40k below mileage interval? Belt change would cost approx €500-€600)

EDIT:

APOLOGIES!

I've made a big mistake, the outrage and shock on here scared the crap out of me so I checked again and it says 8 years 100,000 miles, so I'm at the interval as opposed to 3 years over it and well below the mileage.

mikeybrennan

Probably not worth doing

Definitely not for trade in

vandriver

If it's THREE YEARS over its recommended timing belt change interval,I wouldn't even consider buying it.
(I'm assuming the hypothetical belt has never been changed)
If you mean should you change it for a second time 2 years early,then no.

pm1977x

vandriver wrote: »

If it's THREE YEARS over its recommended timing belt change interval,I wouldn't even consider buying it.
(I'm assuming the hypothetical belt has never been changed)
If you mean should you change it for a second time 2 years early,then no.

Fair point, but those age recommendations are mostly a money making yarn for the dealership, no? :pac:

*awaits inevitable ruined engine on next trip to the shops*

the_syco

vandriver wrote: »

If it's THREE YEARS over its recommended timing belt change interval,I wouldn't even consider buying it.

Agreed. Heck, I'd worry about it making it down the road!

vandriver

I have a picture of my 10 year old timing belt,(recommended interval on my car) and it's fooked!

mikeybrennan

Holy sh1t u left it 3 yrs over the interval

Didn't spot that, why do people do this?

wonski

pm1977x wrote: »

If selling or trading in your car will it achieve a higher price with a fresh timing belt or will it cost you more to do it than you'd see back in the sale/trade-in price?

My guess is the latter, but keen to hear other views.

(Let's say this hypothetical car is 8 years old, recommended age interval is 5 years, but is approx 40k below mileage interval? Belt change would cost approx €500-€600)

Trading in is generally poor value anyway. Doesn't matter if the car has alloys, or no wheels, as long as you buy a new one

wonski

mikeybrennan wrote: »

Holy sh1t u left it 3 yrs over the interval

Didn't spot that, why do people do this?

So they can later moan about poor quality etc.

6 years old Audi holds its value well, I would want it to be serviced and maintained as it should be if I owned it, or was about to buy one.

vandriver

Here you go.

pm1977x

APOLOGIES!

I've made a big mistake, the outrage and shock on here scared the crap out of me so I checked again and it says 8 years 100,000 miles, so I'm at the interval as opposed to 3 years over it and well below the mileage.

That obviously doesn't excuse the fact that I thought I was driving around 3 years beyond the interval.

Will edit my OP...

pm1977x

wonski wrote: »

So they can later moan about poor quality etc.

6 years old Audi holds its value well, I would want it to be serviced and maintained as it should be if I owned it, or was about to buy one.

It's not a 6 year old Audi, think you have mixed up threads.

pm1977x

wonski wrote: »

Trading in is generally poor value anyway. Doesn't matter if the car has alloys, or no wheels, as long as you buy a new one

Hmmm, this is certainly an issue but I don't think I can be dealing with the hassle and risk of a private sale.

DesperateDan

As a noob driver that knows nothing about cars I am wondering why the hell timing belts aren't all metal? And even if they are rubber, why would it cost €500 to change is it like an all day job sort of thing?

AnneFrank

live with yourself if the new owner is driving down a motorway and the engine seizes causing a huge pileup

Cordell

Some belts are made from metal, they're called chains. And they do as well need (at least) some attention. And chains do go wrong and ruin the engine just as well.

Timing belt change is expensive because parts are expensive (belt, rollers and usually water pump changed together) and there is quite a lot of labor on most engines.

vandriver

DesperateDan wrote: »

As a noob driver that knows nothing about cars I am wondering why the hell timing belts aren't all metal? And even if they are rubber, why would it cost €500 to change is it like an all day job sort of thing?

Well,there are timing chains on some cars,which can stretch and give their own problems.
As to the cost,it's about 1/3 parts and 2/3 labour.They are quite a time consuming job.

Signpost

If I see a car with a timing belt 'just' changed before sale I always assume they used to belt kit in the picture below and wouldn't look at it. Leave it as it is, assume once its sold they take it to a mechanic who will knows it overdue.

pm1977x

Signpost wrote: »

If I see a car with a timing belt 'just' changed before sale I always assume they used to belt kit in the picture below and wouldn't look at it. Leave it as it is, assume once its sold they take it to a mechanic who will knows it overdue.

Hadn't thought of that angle, one to watch out for!

corglass

Forget belts and chains, only two options for me are
1. Electric car - or -
2. Gear driven timing system
(Toyota B series engine, I'm looking at you!)