Hi All, just picked up used A4 (1998) from local dealer. Fine car, low mileage (45,000). Dealer insists they changed the timing belt, is there any way I can check to be sure?

 

They should have some paperwork to prove it.

 

that mileage is WAY low lol but yea they should have paperwork

 

That mileage is scary low, my car had 38k and its 2003 model and I was like (Wow! This is awesome) I'd be scared to buy one with that little miles! But nice buy, and paperwork is the best way to find out

 

I live in Ireland and we dont do as much mileage, dont have the roads for it. Its my wifes car, and we sold her 96 toyota with 55k miles to buy the audi. Mileage is genuine, car is like new, immaculate in and out. Gotta verify the timing belt change though, so I'll ask for proof. I just thought that there was a 'seal' of some sort that, if broken, would prove that the belt was changed.

What are the belt change intervals. I see 70 - 80k from other threads. We will probably only put on 4k in the next 2 years, so belt is not at risk, its for the resale I want proof.

Very happy with the car though, super solid.

 

Are we talking an Audi Dealer? or an independent dealer? Audi I would just trust - Independent I would ask for paperwork - but then again how do you know they actually did it and didn't just give you a BS story and BS paperwork. It all comes down to if you trust them or not.

 

I doubt its been done at all with such low mileage and without service history or any receipts I would be concerned the mileage has been tampered with or the dials have been changed, you cant tell if its been changed even if it was done a year ago ( unless you can read the white lettering on the belt ) and the bolts look like they have been removed, a little caution here mate no service history suspect a fake mileage

 

Is there a company like CARFAX, that has mileage history over there?
If the interior has little wear, look at the driver's seat, mileage should be low.

 

also worn steering wheel/ peddles/ gear shift and shift boot http://images.google.co.uk/images?hl...p;q=shift+bootfor cracks, remember low mileage dosnt mean the car is good because its probably only been to the shops and back like 5 miles a week and means the oil never got up to temp which means the ware on the engine will be excessive so could be worse than a car that's done 150k motorway driving,

lots to consider with low mileage cars you know

 

Sure, just remove the front bumper, rad, and t-belt covers, and inspect the belt and tensioner to verify they look new. Of course if they have the paperwork to prove it, thats a little easier. Cheers!