At what age/mileage would it be adviseable to change the cam belt of a second hand mazda 6? I'll be buying a 2004 or maybe 2005 in the next couple of weeks so am wondering if I will have to factor in the extra cost should it be required.

 

I wouldn't really worry about it too much. I haven't really seen them failing in the field. If it did need to be replaced, the mileage would be well over 100K (probably closer to 150K)

 

no belt, it's a chain....your good

 

So a cam chain is more reliable than a cam belt I take it? It makes you wonder why new cars still have a belt fitted. Maybe it saves the manufacturers more money at the expense of their customers? Good to see that I won't have to incur the extra cost of a belt snapping or even just replacing one as a precaution.