Would you buy a car without service booklet

rammster

The only issue I see with the car is the cam belt , the car has done 57k and not had a cam belt change as yet, she says astras need a cam belt at 80k , I cant believe that, I told her most vauxhalls would need a cam belt change at around 60k depending on hopw its driven etc, and that needs to be negotiated . I am aware that a cam belt change costs 250 upwards, I have told her wont be giving more than 1500 for it.
the car was in good condition and fun to drive otherwise

Pantera_Fan

Rammster - I happen to be selling a 2002 Astra 1.6 16v in metallic blue, 53k miles which has had the cambelt changed and full history. I am advertising this on auto trader and I am based in Kent (TN24). Either check out my advert or private message me if you want more details.

vikingaero

rammster wrote: »

The only issue I see with the car is the cam belt , the car has done 57k and not had a cam belt change as yet, she says astras need a cam belt at 80k , I cant believe that, I told her most vauxhalls would need a cam belt change at around 60k depending on hopw its driven etc, and that needs to be negotiated . I am aware that a cam belt change costs 250 upwards, I have told her wont be giving more than 1500 for it.
the car was in good condition and fun to drive otherwise

:eek::eek::eek:

Vauxhall Ecotec engines need a cambelt every 40K! The limit was halved when Vauxhall found a lot of cambelts and tensioners going pop.

Ebe_Scrooge

I had a cambelt snap on my 2001 Astra 1.8 - ouch ! It had also done around 57K miles, and had never been changed - but the service manual says to change it at 80K. So it wasn't due to "neglect" as such, but going from my experience I'd probably be looking to change it if I were you. Yes, it's £250 or thereabouts to change it, but mine cost me £1000 in damaged engine parts :-(

oldagetraveller

vikingaero wrote: »

:eek::eek::eek:

Vauxhall Ecotec engines need a cambelt every 40K! The limit was halved when Vauxhall found a lot of cambelts and tensioners going pop.

Not all, I think it's just the 8 valve engines,( not sure if that's both petrol and Diesel?) there are warning notices in my Vx dealer's service reception. Can't remember but pretty sure it's 6 years too, whichever comes first.
80k or 10 years for others. My 16v 1.7 Ecotec Diesel is. I personally wouldn't risk that time and or mileage though! At 57k I'd be getting it changed along with tensioners and water pump.
I would also rely more on all the receipts rather than a stamped book, easily obtained off Fleabay!

goldspanners

Ebe_Scrooge wrote: »

I had a cambelt snap on my 2001 Astra 1.8 - ouch ! It had also done around 57K miles, and had never been changed - but the service manual says to change it at 80K. So it wasn't due to "neglect" as such, but going from my experience I'd probably be looking to change it if I were you. Yes, it's £250 or thereabouts to change it, but mine cost me £1000 in damaged engine parts :-(

it would have said 80k miles or X years,which ever comes first.

movingforward2010

ive always changed the cambelt as soon as i buy a used car, regardless of what im told at point of sale

vikingaero

oldagetraveller wrote: »

Not all, I think it's just the 8 valve engines,( not sure if that's both petrol and Diesel?) there are warning notices in my Vx dealer's service reception. Can't remember but pretty sure it's 6 years too, whichever comes first.
80k or 10 years for others. My 16v 1.7 Ecotec Diesel is. I personally wouldn't risk that time and or mileage though! At 57k I'd be getting it changed along with tensioners and water pump.
I would also rely more on all the receipts rather than a stamped book, easily obtained off Fleabay!

Definitely not just 8v engines. My mums old 16v Corsa had the tensioner fail at 9 months old and 5,000 miles.

Vx still recommend 4 years or 40k:

http://www.vauxhall.co.uk/vaux/static/pdf/howToGuides/VXCambeltLeaflet.pdf