SKODA has just put out an unusual release warning all car owners of the importance of getting their cambelt changed at regular intervals. It’s unusual because for many years it seemed to me that manufacturers didn’t want to discuss cam belts for fear it would give them a big liability. One of the two big inspirations for setting up UsedCarExpert.co.uk was the agony cam belts caused me and my family when we were hard up. We had huge battles getting both Vauxhall and Rover dealers to accept liability for the damage one failing can cause. It usually means a new engine. As Skoda correctly points out, that's a £5,000 bill. And when the average price of a used car is £7,0000 it effectively renders an otherwise brilliant car worthless. Something that Skoda has not mentioned, which is equally important, is to check whether associated parts have also been changed when the cam belt is renewed. This is where going to a specialist car can pay off. On lots of cars if you don't also change the pulley wheels, tensioners and even the water pump, then you may as well not bother changing the cam belt. Essentially when they fail, they shred the brand new cam belt, which is just like having an old belt fail. Here are two cars we recommend buying as almost guaranteed good used car buys – provided you stay on top of the cam belt service. Vauxhall Astra (2004-2009) A four year old petrol engine Astra with average mileage of 40,000 is worth about £5,800. Check the paperwork to see if your car has a cam belt. If it does, it must be changed on schedule. Intervals can vary depending on the engine, for example CDTI engines are either 80,000 miles and six years or 10 years and 100,000 miles. On the smaller petrol engines, the cam belt should be changes every four years or 40,000 miles. Others have chains and do not need changing. Skoda Fabia (2000–2007) A 2005 1.4 TDI registered Fabia will have an average mileage on the clock of 74,000 and be worth around £4,000. So only buy it if it has had it’s cam belt service because on most engines the cam belt must be changed within 60,000 miles. The 1.4 eight valve and 1.2 engines are chain driven and do not have a cam belt. Most popular manufacturers have some engines with cam belts rather than chains, so it is important to check and ensure that the cam belt is changed before the car is driven anywhere if it is coming close to its interval. Changing the belt will cost around £200. | 
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