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When should I change the cam belt on my Audi A3?

I have an Audi A3 TFSI 1.5 (67 Plate). Audi suggested I have the cam belt changed at a very high cost. I looked around for other providers to do the job at a more reasonable cost. I had no luck as even though Halfords tried a special tool is required. I went back to my local Audi dealer yesterday and they said the cost was high as they had not done it before and it was complex. I was also told someone had put the same type of car in for the job and the dealer could not complete the task as they do not have the special tool either! They have requested the tool, which could take months to come from Germany. In the meantime Audi are also reviewing whether the job should be done after 5 years or 10 years I was told. I told the the Audi contact that if anything happened to my car in the meantime they would be responsible, am I right?

Asked on 16 August 2022 by martin scott

Answered by Dan Powell
If the cam belt fails then you will sadly be 100 per cent liable for the costs. And a belt failure is usually terminal for the engine, which means the repairs will cost you thousands. This is why I always err on the side of caution with cam belts and recommend a change every five years or 60,000 miles (whichever comes first).

In regards to the belt replacement, I would suggest that you find another Audi dealer or use an independent Audi specialist.

You may be able to find one with our Good Garage Guide: good-garage-guide.honestjohn.co.uk/
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