How worried should i be about timing belt on a used suv?

[Nora.C]

I’m looking at a used 2018 SUV this weekend and the seller says the timing belt was replaced at 90,000 miles. The car is now at 105,000, so it’s fairly recent, but I have no paperwork to prove it was actually done. How worried should I be about taking their word for it?

[Brian58]

I’d be cautious. A timing belt replacement at 90k can be legit, but there’s no proof you can trust without a receipt. Try to get the shop name, date, mileage, and a real invoice. If they can pull up the work order or you can call the shop, that helps a lot.

[Avery64]

I did something similar last year and trusted a seller who waved a hand and said it was done. I still paid for a pre-purchase inspection, and the belt was due again soon after. It’s worth paying for a check even if you think it’s fine.

[ScottYR]

Some engines use a belt while others use a chain. If it’s a belt, a 90k gap to 105k isn’t crazy, but without proof you can’t be sure the tensioners, water pump, and seals were replaced too.

[David_W]

Maybe the bigger risk isn’t the belt itself but that the maintenance history is unclear overall.