Is a cambelt snapping really that bad???

[golf16v]

I viewed a golf gti 16v the other day and it was a nice car apart from the fact it had 118k on the clock and the guy said that the cambelt had snapped about 10k ago but he had had the engine rebuilt. Anyone got any advice on this, what should have been done during the rebuild? he said he had the bill for me to look at but it kind of put me off that the cambelt had snapped in the first place so I walked away??

[Judderi]

If its been fixed then i cant see a problem with it.

[Golfer]

It's a bad thing to happen if you have to pay for the repair.

But, as it has been done, no worries for you.

BUT, and it's a big BUT, most people are aware that cambelts need to be replaced for this very reason.  If the seller had not replaced the belt by 115k miles, what else has he scrimped and saved on.   Anyone who cares about their car will have had it changed much earlier.

I had a mate like this - bought a Mk4 Golf GTi, kept it for 2 years, spent zero on it and sold it.  When I asked him why he was selling so soon, he reeled off a list of things that needed doing (inc cambelt) and said he never spent serious money on maintenance.  SO he flogged it to some poor sod who got a car that had not been properly maintained.

Unless it was a case of real bad luck, it sounds to me like the seller had not been servicing it properly.   Check the records - it should have been replaced around 5 years /  60k miles.

[golf16v]

Your absolutely right golfer, thats exactly what I thought at the time! The guy shouldve known that it was due a cambelt change and if he was servicing it regularly at a decent garage, they would have advised him when the cambelt needed doing. He had owned the car for 4 years. Despite that though it was what I was looking for and even though it had 118k on the clock at that mileage most parts should have been replaced which means I wouldnt have to fork out for them and as long as the rebuild was done to a good standard the engine should be ok aswell???

[Golfer]

To be honest - the engine is probably fine if the rebuild was good.

But I'm always wary of people who have avoided spending out on the fundamentals.   It kinda makes me worry about the rest of the car...

There could be some nasties out there waiting to bite you.   E.g. the suspension could be hiding some nice bills if he's not paid for any repairs to that etc etc.   If you're competent at DIY mechanics then no problem - but if your're like me and have to pay others to service your car, best to search one out that has been well cared for.  They do exist (I just sold mine which was a minter) but you need to look carefully.

Take your time and don't be rushed!