Timing belt changed - advice needed

Hi all

I bought my car at 98k (a3 2004 2.0 TDi) and recently iv been wondering if the timing belt had already been changed, the car has done 113k up until today.

I have had a look at the service histories and nothing seems to be written about a timing belt/water pump change. The last history I have on record for the car is at 93k.

Changing the belt in total will cost me £300. My issue is surely if the car was last serviced (to my knowledge of 93k) then the services before that would have checked to have seen of the belt was already changed? I know the general rule of thumb is to change it at 70k.


Therefore is there any way I can have a look myself to see the condition of the belt? Is there a guide I can use?

Thanks for the reply mate. The servicing seems to have been done by independent garages.

The last service history I have of the car is at 85k. At 85k there is no history of the belt being changed but what's to say it wasn't changed on the service before?

I think as of now the best option will be to call the garage who did it at 85k hoping they did the previous service and see if they have a record if the belt was changed or not.

fangio said:

Ask the previous owner?

Click to expand...

Did just that. He... Had changed it wohoo! He's been giving it full service every time the warning light came up. Saved me £300.