Cambelt change - can it be done properly by a mobile mechanic?

mbrijun

Dear moneysavers,

can a cambelt change be done properly at my home by a mobile mechanic? Does it require for a car to be lifted up? The car in question is a Ford Focus Mk1.

The reason I am asking is the price difference. A price from a decent garage with a good Gates kit is £229 while a local mobile mechanic would fit a Gates kit for £185. The mobile mechanic gives a 12000 mile warranty.

Your thoghts please...

Gordon_Hose

Simple answer...yes! The car doesn't need to be on ramps for a cambelt change.

Hammyman

Yes it can. I did my first cambelt change at the age of 17 on my parents drive with a £2 toolkit I bought from the local motoring shop. Cars have got more complicated than they were back then but its mostly access and needing "special tools" to lock the cams in place. There's nothing needed that won't fit in a toolbox.

The difference in the price is due to the mobile mechanic not having £300+ per week overheads for a garage and staff.

mbrijun

How about a warranty of a mobile mechanic? I assume that would be dealt with by his insurer in case there are problems? Thanks.

Gordon_Hose

Unsure about warranty, you have to ask the mechanic if his work is covered.

mbrijun

he says it is covered for 12000 miles. The question is how reliable those warranties are.

vaio

mbrijun wrote: »

How about a warranty of a mobile mechanic? I assume that would be dealt with by his insurer in case there are problems? Thanks.

I'd be falling down surprised if any mechanic, mobile or fixed, has insurance to cover labour and materials on a repair.

The warranty on a repair is provided direct by the mechanic, (which I suppose is “self insurance”), if he goes bust your warranty goes too.

Paying by credit card might make the card company liable (under s75?) if there is trouble.

Gordon_Hose

mbrijun wrote: »

he says it is covered for 12000 miles. The question is how reliable those warranties are.

It's not technically a "warranty"...if anything went wrong due to the mechanic, then said mechanic would have to cover the costs of any repairs.

johnnyroper

mbrijun wrote: »

Dear moneysavers,

can a cambelt change be done properly at my home by a mobile mechanic? Does it require for a car to be lifted up? The car in question is a Ford Focus Mk1.

The reason I am asking is the price difference. A price from a decent garage with a good Gates kit is £229 while a local mobile mechanic would fit a Gates kit for £185. The mobile mechanic gives a 12000 mile warranty.

Your thoghts please...

simple answer is yes i have changed belts on my cars myself on the drive latest last week on passat tdi,if you know what you are doing then locking tools aint required either.