I am hoping that someone can assist me.....

I am getting conflicting information on the frequency for changing the cam / timing belt on my VW. I have a 2005 VW Passat Highline Estate TDI PD 130 bhp. My local dealer tells me that the recommended interval is 4 years or 60,000 miles. But the service schedule in the car documentation gives 80,000 miles as the interval for changing the belt, with no time interval. Several threads on this forum seem to be saying other times / mileage intervals.

Also, on this forum, some members are recommending that other items such as belt tensioners and the water pump should be changed at the same time as the timing belt.

I would be grateful for advice on all the above to ensure that I avoid the catastrophe of a belt failure and minimise costs.

Many thanks.

The vehicle engine number is AWX 10570. The vehicle was first registered in April 2005 and has 52k miles on the clock.