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maybeistiger

Hi there, I have just bought a Toyota Avensis 2006 (80K mileage) a few days ago.
Before I pay the dealer, I took the car to a shop for inspection and no problems were found.
But today I found whenever I start the engine there are some noises caused by the timing belt.
When I made the deal with the dealer, he orally agreed a three months mechanical warranty.
So does the timing belt replacement belongs to a mechanical problem or can I ask the dealer pay for the replacement costs under CGA ?

Thanks alot!

Anon

Hi there,
Without knowing exact manufacturers service recommendations, most cambelts would be due for replacment at a km or time interval whichever came first- with the common for Japanese vehicles being 5-10 years or 100kms. If the cambelt is just old and in need of replacement it may not be classed as a fault- but more a maintenance item of which you should have factored into the vehicle purchase (established whether it had been replaced or not). Unless the dealer has mentioned that the cambelt has been replaced and it is noisy- that could be a fault. In any case, speak to the dealer first and give him first opportunity to respond.

maybeistiger

Thank you!