Tensioner, nervous headache?

I have a Volvo 2004 Volvo V70 estate D5 diesel bought pre-registered from a Volvo dealer in early 2005 with 10 miles on the clock. Always serviced on time by the same dealer. The cambelt tensioner has gone at 61,000 miles. They say new engine is needed at £6,700 and have immediately offered to pay half without me even asking. A solicitor says go to small claims court (as the advice is change it at 96,000 miles). Wonder what you think?

Asked on 17 April 2010 by M.N., Nuneaton

Answered by Honest John

This is happening a lot and I warn about it in car-by-car breakdown at HJUK. It’s often the waterpump that fails and flings the belt off. Volvo could argue that warnings are sufficiently public about this. It cannot accurately predict the life of a component over 6 years. After a campaign over failed timing belts (by me) VAG revised its recommended change to 4 years or 40k miles. GM Vauxhalls had the same problem in the 1990s, but I don't have any record of successful claims.

Tags: belts and chains technical issues legal issues owning small claims court

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