Been looking at an 05 Forester

Good spec, low mileage FSH... full MOT

almost ready to do the deal, and i find out the vendor cant prove when the cambelt has been done...

On miles its 30K past a change on years its 3 years past ...

I would think that it has had the belt done, but the cautious head on me errs on the side of dont

i offered him £550 less, which is the cost of a full kit & fitting (scooby specialist)

he says hes had an offer as is at the full price ... but still wants to offer the car to me ..

Should i take the gamble, pay full whack and then leave it, or pay full whack and get a belt done

I could do this, but the free funds are my contingency for anything other / major (clutch etc)



What do you think?

Mart

 

Sounds like he's just pushing you for the full price. We can all say err on the side of caution, and if he won't take your offer then walk away. But how much do you want this car? Are you willing to lose it for the sake of £500? Only you can make that call. Is the cambelt on the forester non intrusive if it was to go?

 

Its not £500 its £1000 as id have to pay the asking & then replace the cambelt

I might drop him a line today, and see if we can meet midway


Mart

 

If he can't prove it's been done and won't come down in price I would walk away. He has no idea where it was done, presumably not done during his ownership? if it was then he should at least know where it was done.

Your money your choice, but I would also have it done for peace of mind.

 

Exactly my feelings, unless i have a doc that says a cambelt change has been done & said garage confirms, then as far as i'm concerned it needs doing.

Strange thing though it has a huge doc pac, and he has a second forester, He had the knock i spotted on the test drive done at the mot, so it seems very strange he should miss this.

I may see if he'll meet midway on the price for the belt change

means ultimately i'll pay full price, but ... as you say peace of mind

Mart

 

Some dealers / traders do this as part of the sale! I think he's taking the p**s

 

Walk away if he won't put a cam belt on as part of the deal

Plenty cars around if you are prepared to travel

 

If anything like the Legacy I bought at similar age which looked great and had FSSH it will need various things doing to keep it good outwith service schedule like wheel bearings, blower and window motors, brake caliper pistons, drop links.

 

To me, traceable cambelt = cambelt done, anyone doing it and then marketing it as done would know to keep evidence to get the benefit of some of their expenditure, the rest is smoke and mirrors.

 

£550 seems excessive for a cambelt change. I've just paid £150 for a genuine belt from Subaru and just got to pay for the 2hrs labour for my mechanic to fit it (so he reckons).

Just offer the seller £200 less than asking price to cover the cost of parts.

 

Kit & labour £ 440 + the dreaded and thats at a reputable scooby specialist

immaterial now, he sold it as seen with no proof of change for £4200

Mart