How to check if a used car timing belt was actually changed?
Dealers often claim a timing belt has been replaced without providing any invoices or proof, and mechanics may spot unreplaced parts like an old water pump. Because an immediate replacement is too expensive and the car is needed for daily work, owners are left trying to inspect the belt's wear themselves to see if it can safely survive another year.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1removing the upper timing cover to visually inspect the belt
- 2checking the engine for written dates or unofficial markers
- 3Asking online forums for advice by posting photos of the timing belt
- 4Inspecting the belt visually for cracking, missing teeth, or fraying
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Dealer contract say timing belt changed at 136.000 km but no invoice, nobody have proof. My mechanic have doubts, water pump look never touched.”source ↗
“I am short of money now, belt job cost ~800€ here and i use car for work. I just need it survive one more year.”source ↗
“Is this pattern/wear normal for a Conti/Gates belt with this mileage, or should I be concerned and replace it sooner than expected?”source ↗
Where this came up
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