How much will replacing V6 timing belt at 90K raise resale value?

I'll be selling an '03 EX-V6 Navi coupe with about 90,000 miles. Will changing the timing belt and water pump now have a big effect on resale value? I would do it myself so it would cost me just the price of the parts.

I'll be selling an '03 EX-V6 Navi coupe with about 90,000 miles. Will changing the timing belt and water pump now have a big effect on resale value? I would do it myself so it would cost me just the price of the parts.
If I am a buyer, such a car having just had the work done will be worth maybe book value.

If the work has not been done and/or there is no solid proof (receipt) the work has been done, then I'd subtract the cost of paying someone to do it off the book value and start negotiating from there.

In other words, I think you should get the work done, or else start at a $600 to $1000 lower price point. Some people will want to get their own guy (or themselves) to do the work, but they'll expect the discount off the price.

If I were you, I would research a few places to get a firm (preferably written) cost for the work, and then just sell the car as-is, discounted by that amount and just be up-front with the buyers. I wouldn't put any more time or money into the car if you are selling it. Anything can happen if you try to spin a wrench - something can break, or you can turn up something else that needs fixing. Just leave it to the next buyer... (sorry not very succinct on this)

I would not do it early. If was 105k I would do it. THe general public is not as aware about timing belts as us enthusiasts. When I was looking at used cars, I even had someone tell me "my sons accord had the belt break and it was ok" so its not a interference engine... *shakes head

Thanks for the suggestions. I haven't checked on the difficulty level of doing the t-belt but I assume the parts alone are around $300 for the belt, tensioner, idler, waterpump, coolant, etc.

The labour won't be easy, I've done DOHC I-4 3 times over the years, the last time still took me 4 or 5 hours beginning to end, the V-6 looks more daunting from reading the shop manual, I may actually pay a mechanic I trust to do this when the time comes.

Don't bother replacing it, since it's not quite due yet, isn't going to break, and won't raise the cars value. Most owners are ignorant of the interval, too.

The labour won't be easy, I've done DOHC I-4 3 times over the years, the last time still took me 4 or 5 hours beginning to end, the V-6 looks more daunting from reading the shop manual, I may actually pay a mechanic I trust to do this when the time comes.

Yeah, I will have to pay a mechanic also. I recently had the water pump and belts replaced on my wife's Civic for about $400; the Accord is going to be much more labor intensive and expensive. Probably will cost about $750 in parts and labor.

Don't bother replacing it, since it's not quite due yet, isn't going to break, and won't raise the cars value. Most owners are ignorant of the interval, too.


No. If I'm looking at used vehicles that have over 90K on the clock, my first question is if the timing belt and water pump were replaced. If they don't know, or say it was not done, I keep looking. There is something to say when buying a used vehicle that has been cared for correctly, it will get you a better asking price IMHO.