VW/Audi 1.6tdi timing belt question

comete

Just picked up a clean little 2010 Audi a3 as a 2nd car to back-up the main family car. When buying I asked about timing belt (done in April 2018 according to service book, approx 50,000 miles ago), and the very honest seller told me she had it serviced last week and the mechanic told her it wasn’t due. We came to agreement on a price we were both happy with based on me believing I should look to have it changed sooner rather than later and the car is now in my possession.

As I live local to the seller/mechanic she used, I called the same mechanic to price up timing belt, and he said he knew the car in question and wouldn’t be in any huge rush to change it. I called a second local mechanic and he too said he wouldn’t change it as a matter of urgency, and explained that you get more from a second timing belt than a first one.

I always understood the timing belt should be changed every 5 years irrespective of mileage, acknowledging that I’m not an expert, but I’m curious to know what general consensus is - should I do it asap for piece of mind, or take both independent mechanics advice here?

teediddlyeye

VW say 210k km without a time limit. Wouldn't be in a rush to change it either. Water pump will likely start leaking before the belt fails anyway.

Whocare

there doing timing belt on weekly basis so know conditions what there like after 5 years ect as said no huge rush there probably thinking within few years at most be safe enough change it sounds like there being honest I bet if phone up main dealer more than happy to book it in €€€€