Q&A

 Rookie

I received this car as a gift from my brother who purchased it for me in upstate NY. (April 2010) There have been two owners. My brother failed to get ANY maintainance records on the vehicle. When I received it, it had about 78,000 miles on it. The car seemed to be in great shape and had passed NY state inspection. However, it was obvious to me that the brakes were badly worn. It did not pass Maryland Inspection because of the brakes and broken CV valve seal. The battery also died. It may have been the original. My first question is how could the car seller get it to pass inspection when the brakes were so obviously worn out by simple observation. My second concern is that the timing belt is supposed to be replaced in this car at 60,000 miles. I have no idea if it was replaced. People who have looked at the engine cover see no sign that the bolts had ever been removed. My mechanic friend said that most of the belts he removes are perfectly fine. That said a belt failure to my understand can cause a lot of damage. He suggested waiting until 90,000 miles. Is that a good idea?