Cambelt change

[Paul Wilson]

I have recently bought a a Jaguar XF 3.0 V6 diesel. I have approached a local main dealer for a service they have suggested that the cambelt needs changing. The car is 6 years old with 25,000 miles. Is this too soon for a cambelt change?

[Mark Five]

6 years old and only 25,000 on the clock suggest lots of very short runs - the average mileage would be about double that.

Did they say why? Is it damaged or perished? I don't know if this is a time-limited item, but unless there's a good indication for changing it I'd be reluctant, and maybe get a second opinion from a local indie.

[Old Peter]

Welcome to the club, Paul.

The cam belt change on the s type is either 105k miles or 10 years.  I would be reluctant to change it until then. The XF will be the same.

I would also check the mileages per year and you can do that either with the service book record or using the Free app  Vehicle Smart  which gives you the MOT figures.

I do the same kind of mileage with 30k in the last six years and my cam belt will need changing next year as there was a new engine fitted while the car was in a Jaguar dealers ownership when the car was two years old.

What the dealer has said is what is known as "boosting the job" and I have come across this before.  Three of my staff, plus myself had company cars and I had an account with a local dealer plus a certain other company who alleged to have fitted new brake discs when the car in question had them fitted at the dealers on a service three weeks before.

Regards,

Peter.