I'm thinking of picking up a 2000 A4 B5. The dealer tells me that the previous owner had the timing belt replaced at 150k. He has no papers to prove this though. The car now has 210k, and I'm wondering if it is at all possible that a belt would last this long without having it changed! Also, is there a way to check the condition of the timing belt without taking apart the front end. Thanks

 

Don't believe anyone about the timing belt unless it is in writing, etc. Dealers want your money and they don't care about you. Their thinking is once you buy the car it's your problem. I think TB on this model are good for 90k, but you want to be sure when it was replaced. There is no way to know the condition until you break the car down - and at that point obviously you would do the swap-out. Use it as a bargaining chip and low-ball the dealer. In this market (economy) you should be getting this car a very fair price. An a4 with 200k plus should be very reasonable. How much is it?

 

No way of knowing 100% by just looking at it. Do a carfax on it and see if there was service done somewhere else and call them if possible to find out the exact work. Here is the thing, if you do buy it, buy the timing belt kit and have it changed. Your looking at $800 to $1,400 prolly and tell them this since there are no records and haggle the price down. Without records you might as well consider the belt to be on its way out.