Does my cam belt need changing only done 6k on a 11 plate?

mad_rich

Cam belt is a bit of a game of chance.

As you know, the interval is 6 years or 60k, whichever is sooner.

This doesn't mean it will explode the day after its 6th birthday, but it also doesn't guarantee that it won't give up the ghost much sooner. Just that, from Kia's point of view, this is the interval their beancounters are happy with, and they'll fork out if it does go sooner. Of course they have the benefit of thousands of cars to average it out over; you don't.

If it was an old car, I'd be tempted to play cam belt lottery, as long as you understand that there's a chance of catastrophic failure that will be uneconomical to repair.

For a relatively young car, which is still in warranty, stick to the recommended interval. It's just not worth the worry. (Although I suppose it's only 'worth' 8-20 months of warranty, depending on when in 2018 the warranty expires.)

£489 sounds high. Quotes do seem to vary though. I had quotes on a Fabia (to include water pump and tensioners) varying from £250-£450, and got it done for £275 in the end.

debtdebt

mad_rich wrote: »

£489 sounds high. Quotes do seem to vary though. I had quotes on a Fabia (to include water pump and tensioners) varying from £250-£450, and got it done for £275 in the end.

I think that might include the service as well although it's a bit unclear.

AdventureRocks

debtdebt wrote: »

I think that might include the service as well although it's a bit unclear.

Includes service as well But not water pump

firefox1956

My Kia dealer will always 'negotiate' on price.
Just ask them for a better price.
My 2 year old Venga service started at £285 they then said £240 then £220
I had it done at my local independent garage for £180............
You do NOT have to have your service done at a Kia dealer you can have it done anywhere & NOT void your warranty.
HTH

AdventureRocks

firefox1956 wrote: »

My Kia dealer will always 'negotiate' on price.
Just ask them for a better price.
My 2 year old Venga service started at £285 they then said £240 then £220
I had it done at my local independent garage for £180............
You do NOT have to have your service done at a Kia dealer you can have it done anywhere & NOT void your warranty.
HTH

Did not realise you could negotiate price at main dealership i will have to try that!

Thank you for the information

firefox1956

They do the 'huffing & puffing' & let me consult the manager bit !!
Always worth a try........they are all desperate for the business.

AdventureRocks

Have just got a quote from a local garage for £225 and another for £150 on cam belt only. Very suspicious at £150 seems way too cheap ?

EdGasket

AdventureRocks wrote: »

Have just got a quote from a local garage for £225 and another for £150 on cam belt only. Very suspicious at £150 seems way too cheap ?

Not much to changing the cambelt so £150 is quite alright.

forgotmyname

You could ignore it if you want. When you purchase a new engine it will have a new belt attached anyway.

Depends if you want the car in for a proper service and a new belt which will be in and out in a few hours or a new engine where it will be in for a couple of days at a MUCH higher cost.

I wouldnt have left it 6 years.... I would have done it last year.

firefox1956

AdventureRocks wrote: »

Have just got a quote from a local garage for £225 and another for £150 on cam belt only. Very suspicious at £150 seems way too cheap ?

Local independent garage labour rate might be £40 - £45 per hour
dealership could be heading up for £85-£95 per hour.
Thats where you are getting the big difference in price.