Buying a new car

27cool

Well. If you get it fixed it will cost £800 you say. If you don't get it fixed and the belt snaps you might well need a new engine. Getting it fixed is a no-brainer. But first shop around to see if you can get it done more cheaply.

motorguy

laura84gr wrote: »

Thank you everyone for responding to me. I really do appreciate it.

Maybe this is better on the motoring forum - but should I get this fixed now or wait?

What sort of a car is it? Make and model? Sounds expensive? I'd get a couple of quotes but if its due it, get it done.

Its maintenance not a fault.

A £10K car will depreciate more than that amount just by driving it home.

laura84gr

It's a Pergeot 308cc. Have decided that I'll get some quotes and go ahead with the repair.

chanz4

Think hes having a laugh if says timing belt will cost £800, shop around including main dealers. My Mitsubishi one is only £450 main dealer

System

laura84gr wrote: »

Thank you everyone for responding to me. I really do appreciate it.

Maybe this is better on the motoring forum - but should I get this fixed now or wait?

Cambelt replacement is a known thing. You either replace them at specific mileages or age whichever comes first so if the manufacturer says 100,000 miles or 10 years, if you reach 100,000 miles before 10 years you change it then and vice versa. So for your Pug 308cc it depends on the engine but the times/mileages are as follows:

All 4 cylinder petrol engines: 50,000 miles or 4 years.

Diesel engines engines XUD (not HDI): 50,000 miles or 4 years.

All HDi engines without particle filter: 75,000 miles or 6 years

All HDi engines with diesel particle filter (DPF): 110,000 miles or 9 years

V6 ES9J4 and ES9J4S: 75,000 miles or 6 years.

V6 ES9JA: 110,000 miles or 9 years.

ReadingTim

If you can do without your car, you can't be using it that much. Therefore, the "big repair" your mechanic is predicting is probably further away from happening than it would be for someone who uses their car more heavily than you do. I'm sure this bloke means the best, but to be honest, he's somewhat scaremongering.

Suggest you ignore this well-meaning advice and keep your money for the house. Cut back on the car use and put aside (say) £50 a month for a maintenance fund - that way when (if) the "big repair" arrives, you're covered, but it'll probably be some time yet. Wait until you've bought the house before getting a new car.

MrsTinks

£800 isn't out of the question for some cars... just saying!

I believe the Huyndai Santa Fe as one needed half the engine removig to do the belt - that adds up in time!

I would check with your garage and find out if there is other work he's spotted that is an issue. Say if he's spotted welding that might need attention and so on. Given that if you sell the car he wouldn't get your business at all then I think his price might be not far of the mark, but that there is more to it...

iolanthe07

If the 'big repair' is a cambelt change, then you must ignore ReadingTim's advice. A broken cambelt can easily wreck an engine if the pistons hit the valves. A cambelt change, when due, is essential.