Have I been done over (Or am I being paranoid?)

lucifersangel87

My car has been running smoothly of late. Nothing of great concern except for the usual low MPG.

I had the MOT at the weekend, which it sailed through with just a £15 headlight adjustment.

I had left the service book and car manuals in the back seat pocket as I always have done (so that I don't lose them in my untidy house).

Today, my car has suddenly and unexpectedly broken down beyond all repair. The cam belt went and has damaged the valves. I was just about to put it down to bad luck when I noticed that my wallet for the car was missing, while emptying her. I looked through everything and not a single sign of it.

Now, I don't know what anyone would gain from stealing my documents and tampering with my engine, but it certainly feels as though something fishy is going on. Could this be some sort of scam?

My cam belt was changed roughly 40k miles ago.

Any ideas/suggestions?

Thanks,

Martin

waynedance

Can not see what is to gain by stealing a service book. You say you have an untidy house, sure you not lost it?

When was the cambelt due again was the belt or both belt and tensioner ect changed last time?

lucifersangel87

I have definitely not brought it into the house - Strictly for that purpose. And I am 100% sure it was in the pocket at the back of the drivers' seat.

It was just the belt that was changed 40k miles ago (4 years back)

Joe_Horner

Can't really comment on the service book because I can't think of any benefit at all to an MOT station in taking it.

As for the cam belt, sadly that's a risk of having a glorified elastic band driving a critical part of your engine. Having a car that uses rubber bands to drive the wheels it always amuses me how many people take the p*ss out of that idea, yet are quite happy to have the same thing driving their camshaft. If one of mine breaks I drive home carefully on one, if yours breaks you buy a new engine

On a more serious note, even a brand new belt can break without warning and one that's been there for 40k miles is likely to be a time bomb no matter what the manufacturer's "expected life" is. Heat, oil, damaged pulleys or bearings and even style of driving can shorten belt life by a huge amount.

It would also be extremely difficult (if not impossible) for the MOT place to "do something" without it breaking there and then while it's still in their care.

Strider590

Car manuals fetch cash on Ebay and a stamped service history could fetch even more.

Cambelt, not sure...... Sounds fishy, but they shouldn't have gone anywhere near it, shouldn't even open the bonnet.

What car is it? If it's something sporty, then the junior technician might have taken it out for a good thrashing...... Seems to be common practice these days

Sgt_Pepper_2

2l auto Toyota so I doubt it.

Joe_Horner

Strider590 wrote: »

Car manuals fetch cash on Ebay and a stamped service history could fetch even more.

Cambelt, not sure...... Sounds fishy, but they shouldn't have gone anywhere near it, shouldn't even open the bonnet.

What car is it? If it's something sporty, then the junior technician might have taken it out for a good thrashing...... Seems to be common practice these days

They should certainly open the bonnet because they can't test some of the items with it closed on the vast majority of cars.

As for "a good thrashing", if that's enough to kill your cambelt then it was ready to fail anyway.

sabretoothtigger

What car is that, 40k is long enough for it to go. Oil can degrade the rubber, also just age will do it

forgotmyname

I think your putting 2 + 2 and getting 137.3

Why would someone steal your service book and then nobble your cambelt?

Have you done something to upset the MOT centre?

4 years and 40k miles, So the belt was probably fitted correctly. Whats the belt like? and cracks in it?

What about the other pulleys? Alternator, Waterpump etc. Any of those can break the belt also.

4 years old so replacement was probably due sooner rather than later. If a cheaper belt was fitted that maybe why it failed.

lucifersangel87

I guess I am being a bit over-sensitive. However, I am still going to ask if they have found my service history lying around their place - it could be an honest mistake...

cubegame

£15 for a headlight adjustment is being done over in my book.