Rep Power: 0

I just got a 2004 Civic with 118K from Pasadena Honda, which is a highly rated dealership. The salesman told me don't worry about the belt, everything's been checked/serviced. Should I believe him? Is there a way to check the belt without taking apart the engine?

 
Rep Power: 314

Your timing belt is due at 100k. I would not trust the dealership because you need to remove at least the upper cover just to get a visual inspection, and I highly doubt that a dealership would go through all that trouble just to check a T belt. I would not believe it has been changed unless I have a receipt in my hand for it with the KM stated Go back and ask for proof, if he does not have it, I'd change the belt. It's really not that hard to do, take you about a day if you've never done it before, and it's actually a pretty fun project if you take your time and do it right

Also, most car salesman don't even know what or where a timing belt is. He could have just as quickly confused it for your power steering belt.