Hi.

Was working through my service history from my recently purchased 2017 A5 when I discovered that the VIN number the on the invoice and mileage did not match my car. The works that were carried out in this invoice included a timing belt and water pump change in mid 2023

The independent dealer has assured me this is just an error on the Audi invoice. Are you able to help me identify if this timing belt is the original when the car was manufactured in 2017 or a new belt changed in 2023. Thanks in advance 

Hello Matthew,

The prefix number 6PK is used by Gates, but maybe used by other ‘aftermarket’ suppliers as well. If it is Gates, then it’s a reputable make. The problem is that Audi were/are? using Gates belts at the factory, and also in their replacement kits bought from the main dealers. The the answer to you question remains difficult since it could well be the original belt, or it could be a replacement Gates belt fitted to replace the original! 
Having said that, it does look newish from the photo, but….? 
Does your independent have access to record onto the VAG computerised service system? If so, what is recorded there? 
Regards,

Gareth. 
p.s. Gates often has a use-by date on the box included in the VAG kit (usually 4 years on) so if all fails, it might be worth passing this passed Gates Technical for an opinion.

Regards,

Gareth.

p.s. Was the auxiliary belt changed at the same time? If not, it should have been. 

13 minutes ago, Magnet said:

Hello Matthew,

The prefix number 6PK is used by Gates, but maybe used by other ‘aftermarket’ suppliers as well. If it is Gates, then it’s a reputable make. The problem is that Audi were/are? using Gates belts at the factory, and also in their replacement kits bought from the main dealers. The the answer to you question remains difficult since it could well be the original belt, or it could be a replacement Gates belt fitted to replace the original! 
Having said that, it does look newish from the photo, but….? 
Does your independent have access to record onto the VAG computerised service system? If so, what is recorded there? 
Regards,

Gareth. 
p.s. Gates often has a use-by date on the box included in the VAG kit (usually 4 years on) so if all fails, it might be worth passing this passed Gates Technical for an opinion.

Regards,

Gareth.

p.s. Was the auxiliary belt changed at the same time? If not, it should have been. 

Thanks, the car has only 40k miles on it so it's hard to know if the belt looks new because it is new or just hasn't been used that much with the low mileage on the car. I see that there is now no time limit on replacement on belts so it might not be that big an issue anyway. Thanks

If you read back on this forum you will find many references to VAG’s current recommendation re cambelt change intervals and the removal of any time limit. 
Follow it at your peril, particularly with low annual mileage vehicles where the belt get far more of a hammering that that on a high mileage motorway vehicle. Your vehicle is approaching 9 years old and so is an around 5K/a, and should be due for its second belt change in 2 years time - by the previous recommendation. 
Your call Matthew, but if this belt decides to part company, then your vehicle will end up as beyond economical repair.

It would be well worth reading through the threads before deciding that ‘it might not be that big an issue anyway’. 
Please let us know what you think.

1 hour ago, Matthew Clarke said:

I was working through my service history from my recently purchased 2017 A5 when I discovered that the VIN number the on the invoice and mileage did not match my car. 

Do I understand correctly that the VIN on the car is not the same as the VIN on the paperwork? If so, your car is possibly stolen or the paperwork is fake. I suggest you take it back to the vendor as soon as possible to get the matter resolved. It may be a simple clerical error as the dealer claimed, or it could be more sinister. Either way you need to have it resolved.

5 minutes ago, cliffcoggin said:

Do I understand correctly that the VIN on the car is not the same as the VIN on the paperwork? If so, your car is possibly stolen or the paperwork is fake. I suggest you take it back to the vendor as soon as possible to get the matter resolved. It may be a simple clerical error as the dealer claimed, or it could be more sinister. Either way you need to have it resolved.

Hi cliff. I have reached out to the Audi location where the work was performed. I imagine it is just an error on their part when documenting it but they have not got back to me yet. The first 4 numbers/letters on the plate match the other records of servicing and the name of the customer is the same throughout. Just want to be 100% sure. Thanks

33 minutes ago, Magnet said:

If you read back on this forum you will find many references to VAG’s current recommendation re cambelt change intervals and the removal of any time limit. 
Follow it at your peril, particularly with low annual mileage vehicles where the belt get far more of a hammering that that on a high mileage motorway vehicle. Your vehicle is approaching 9 years old and so is an around 5K/a, and should be due for its second belt change in 2 years time - by the previous recommendation. 
Your call Matthew, but if this belt decides to part company, then your vehicle will end up as beyond economical repair.

It would be well worth reading through the threads before deciding that ‘it might not be that big an issue anyway’. 
Please let us know what you think.

Thanks for the advice.I will hopefully hear back from the garage who performed the work to confirm this as you say it is better being on he safe side. Just seemed very strange that both the mileage entered and VIN number were incorrect on the documentatiom. Yet the first 4 digits of the custom plate in te documents were consistent with my car. Thanks again.

Please let us know what develops Matthew. 

Any update Mathew? 

Can you please update us on this Mathew? 

Hello Mathew, we notice you returned to the form a week or so ago, but not yet updated the forum on the current  situation. Could you do so please, so the thread becomes complete.

Many thanks,

Gareth. 

On 10/30/2025 at 9:25 AM, Magnet said:

Hello Mathew, we notice you returned to the form a week or so ago, but not yet updated the forum on the current  situation. Could you do so please, so the thread becomes complete.

Many thanks,

Gareth. 

Apologies for late response. The number plate checked out so it was just an error in the documentation. Thanks