# Interference engines **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [September 4, 2010, 10:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/interference-engines/54664 "2010-09-04T22:05:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![AnniRH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@AnniRH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/AnniRH)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2010, 10:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/interference-engines/54664/1 "2010-09-04T22:05:21Z")
How concerned do I have to be about these? Many new and used cars have interference engines that I can see and to discount something because of this really brings down how may cars I can shop for. The thing is, I can keep track of the miles of a timing belt and get it changed in the miles it needs, but what I don’t want to happened is to have the timing belt break right away and destroy the engine. Any suggestions or advice here? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2010, 10:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/interference-engines/54664/2 "2010-09-04T22:13:45Z")
Timing belts are pretty tough and have a good safety margin in them. When buying a car, if the belt has not been changed or you can’t find out, it’s fair to knock $800 off the price. A friend of mine did just that when buying a Honda Odessey minivan, which was other wise perfect. Cars without timing belts are not “better” than ones with them; they just do not need that extra $700-$800 every 60,000- 90,000 miles or so depending on the vehicle. The probability of a timing belt breaking during the operating interval is pretty slim; it did on Volkswagens years ago because of a faulty tensioner. I’m not sure I answered your question, but don’t worry about a timing belt breaking before its time, if it has been installed by a qualified mechanic. Don’t buy a car where the owner (unless he is a mechanic) has changed the belt himself. ---
**Author:** ![americar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/americar/32/42_2.png) [@americar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/americar)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2010, 10:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/interference-engines/54664/3 "2010-09-04T22:19:59Z")
keep up with the maintenance schedule. There are things in life that cant be controlled. So enjoy life and don’t worry so much.