Cambelt question - possibly very noobish

[Racer7]

Hello,

I'm looking at [another] MR2 that 'could be the one' for me.

One concern I have is that the car is a smidge over 60k miles but hasn't had the cambelt done. The car is a 96 plate, UK N/A.

Looking at the buyers guide it says that the cambelt should be changed at 60k miles or 5 years whichever is first.

Now:

How strict is this? and is it just more important to be done at 60k?

Based on this info what potential problems should I be looking out for? Or would it just be best leaving it alone? Everything else 'appears' tidy from the pics (but from experience I'll believe it when I see it).

I'm really worried about getting a damaged engine because of this.!

With the cambelt situation in mind how much is the going rate for parts and labour (London prices please!)? I will try and use this to haggle on the price...

I can't do an AA inspection as its £200! not worth it on a £2k car... and RAC won't inspect cars over 10years old. Are there any other 'inspection' type services out there that IMOCers use?

So I put it to you! Help me finally get an MR2!

[tranx]

Well the cambelt service is due on that car so needs to be factored in. However if the engine still runs then no damage has been done to the car yet so don't worry that it's not been done yet. If it had failed the engine would already be scrap. However it should be first on your list of things to do when you get the car.

Parts only is costing me £165 for the 60K mile service

Oil + Filter
Air Filter
Fuel Filter
Spark Plugs
Cambelt + tensioner/pulleys/waterpump
Aux belt
Clutch fluid

Eurospec do the 60K mile service for an MR2 for £695 + VAT parts and labour.

Cambelt only service can be had for around the £300 mark I believe.

[marc GT Turbo]

cambelt done first job . or , haggle the price for them to have the cambelt done before you buy
no idea of cost down south ! am up north

[3sgte]

about max of 4 hours labour to do a belt and parts from £20 for a non genuine belt ,up to about £100 for a non gen belt and bearings ,going to about £250 for a genuine toyota belt and bearings depends what they charge an hour round your way

toyotagt (3s service centre ,mr2 specialists ) are fairly close to london ,sure they would cut you a deal on doing a belt change

[Racer7]

£300 - £600... OUCH! Which reminds me - think it probs does need a full service.

I thought there might be a catch to the price...

I'd like to know if a non-Toyota belt or official one makes a difference?

with this major engine bit slightly neglected are there any other concern areas I should look for in the engine area?

I know the car has had some accident damage (front, drivers side) so presumably on a surface level it just panel lines... what about underneath.

Don't think the dude is gonna roll with dropping £300 off but if that's the going rate then welll. We'll see!

[marc GT Turbo]

sounds like you have already talked yourself out of buying it

[HighwayStar]

The most important thing when buying any car really is a good service history. If this car has gone 14 yrs without a cambelt change I'd be worrying what else has been missed or scimped on.

R.

[RobCrezz]

The most important thing when buying any car really is a good service history. If this car has gone 14 yrs without a cambelt change I'd be worrying what else has been missed or scimped on.

R.

+1



But I believe the 3sGTE is a non interference engine, so if the cambelt does snap, pistons shouldnt hit valves.

[willfinch36]

The most important thing when buying any car really is a good service history. If this car has gone 14 yrs without a cambelt change I'd be worrying what else has been missed or scimped on.

R.

Yes and no, I bought my MR2 with only two previous service(s) as the other stuff had all been "lost" before it was imported, take a risk yeah, but mines only done 48,000 miles and I change the oil every 3000 miles and hasnt had any problems so far! There was no proof of the cambelt being done, do I have had the cambelt/water pump/idler bearings done just incase.

[Peter C]

I believe the 3sGTE is a non interference engine, so if the cambelt does snap, pistons shouldnt hit valves.

Agreed.

[willfinch36]

I believe the 3sGTE is a non interference engine, so if the cambelt does snap, pistons shouldnt hit valves.

Agreed.

I dont want to be the one to find out! lol

[nikaiyo]

Eurospec do the 60K mile service for an MR2 for £695 + VAT parts and labour.

Would have thought 3S in Basingstoke/ Paciffic Works in Luton would be closer to 1/2 that price.

Cambelt only service can be had for around the £300 mark I believe.

Again give 3S/ Paciffic Works a call, I am sure they will be closer to £200 than £300 esp on an NA

[Racer7]

Eurospec do the 60K mile service for an MR2 for £695 + VAT parts and labour.

Would have thought 3S in Basingstoke/ Paciffic Works in Luton would be closer to 1/2 that price.

Cambelt only service can be had for around the £300 mark I believe.

Again give 3S/ Paciffic Works a call, I am sure they will be closer to £200 than £300 esp on an NA

Thanks for all the replies guys!

There is full service history from new I believe so that gives me some sense of er, security.

I think it's only in the last year that theres not much history on the car and plus I'm dubious about how often oil changes have been done. There has been some crash damage which also concerns me. Apparently only light damage.

I know that there has been interest in the car but that some ppl are trying to haggle over damage.

From the seller states no o.n.o on this but surely they must be pricing above their minimum price?

I've not convinced myself against it! Just that I'm really sceptical about the selling being 'totally honest' with me...

[nikaiyo]

I know that there has been interest in the car but that some ppl are trying to haggle over damage.

From the seller states no o.n.o on this but surely they must be pricing above their minimum price?

If there is evidence of accident damage especially if you are dubious of the quality of repair, then I would expect the price to be at least 40% below that of a similar car without the damage!

IMHO ONO on a used car advert means, this is the price I am advertising it for but know I will never get

Is there something special about this car? If it has suspect crash damage & iffy recent history you might be better off finding a different car


Just a point if the car has full stamped Toyota history then the cambelt will have been changed every 5 years regardless of mileage.

[HighwayStar]

Mileage at the last cambelt change should be recorded on the camcover. If it's not and/or there is no specific invoice or record for the work being done you can't assume anything... FTSH or not.

[Racer7]

I know that there has been interest in the car but that some ppl are trying to haggle over damage.

From the seller states no o.n.o on this but surely they must be pricing above their minimum price?

If there is evidence of accident damage especially if you are dubious of the quality of repair, then I would expect the price to be at least 40% below that of a similar car without the damage!

IMHO ONO on a used car advert means, this is the price I am advertising it for but know I will never get

Is there something special about this car? If it has suspect crash damage & iffy recent history you might be better off finding a different car


Just a point if the car has full stamped Toyota history then the cambelt will have been changed every 5 years regardless of mileage.

I probably made it sound worse then it is with the accident damage! TBH I haven't seen it nor know what the extent of the damage is/was. I just know offside front wing.

The thing for me on this is the relatively low mileage. Most others out there are over what I want to pay for a pit stop car (N/A to bring insurance down and while £ hopefully picks up for import or maybe give to little bro as his car).

I'm guessing that if the cambelt has never been done then he knows this and may well be factoring into the price. By damage I also meant like dinks/respray required (small areas). Again hard to say without seeing. Not sure whether the guys is hyping it up with 'loads of interest' in it.

I'll probs try haggle as the cambelt thing is enough of the cost to not warrant going for it for me.

Are HPI checks worth it on these £2k ish cars? What I want to find out is damage history as autotrader has a host of repaired cars (which I am worried this is one of them). It seems no one touches cat C/D/whatever repaired cars with a barge pole!

Thanks guys for the tips.

[HighwayStar]

Well if you buy a car without one then find it's repossessed by a finance company because the previous owner had a debt on it he hasn't repayed you'd regret it no?

R.

[Racer7]

Well if you buy a car without one then find it's repossessed by a finance company because the previous owner had a debt on it he hasn't repayed you'd regret it no?

R.

Haha, yeh, true that. But I imagine that a £2k car wouldnt have any debt on it. But like u said earlier - dont assume.

Is there a best HPI check service or are they all the same?

[HighwayStar]

Hmmm that I don't know. If t'were me I'd stick with reputation and try the AA or RAC first I think.
Just as a thought where are you? Always likely to be a member or maybe a trader who will come with you to offer an opinion on the condition of the car itself if you want a second viewpoint.
Go have a look see (if it's not too much of a trek). If service history is there but for the last year it may be just because the owner is capable and services it himself. Crash damage may not be any problem if it was light and well repaired. Mine has had a new drivers door (night time hit and run... probably drunk since I used to have pubs at both ends of my road but actually a positive since I now have side impact protection bars!) and a new near side front wing where an idiot tried to overtake in a bus lane whilst I was turning left... one new wing but no other damage at all.

R.

[nikaiyo]

The thing for me on this is the relatively low mileage.

Honestly I would have a high millage car with good history over a "low miller" with not so good history. I think HighwayStar's car is getting on for 200k miles so they can cope with use

Not sure whether the guys is hyping it up with 'loads of interest' in it.

He is, I bet if you veiw it someone will be on their way with the cash this afternoon

Are HPI checks worth it on these £2k ish cars? What I want to find out is damage history as autotrader has a host of repaired cars (which I am worried this is one of them). It seems no one touches cat C/D/whatever repaired cars with a barge pole!

HPI is worth it for any car dude, it might be stolen, have outstanding finance or it might show a previous write off. As highwayStar says AA, RAC, HPI, Experion loads offer history checks. I normally do a basic (£5ish) check before even leaving, then pay for a detailed check if i am seriously thinking aobut it.

i have bought a few Cat D/C write offs in the past mainly before repair or stolen recovered and never had any issues.... If I thought a seller was trying to hide a cars writen off past i would not under ANY circumstances hand over money