Our car is due a timing belt replacement (VAG – 2015 Leon TDI), is it a relatively simple job that any trustworthy mechanic could do or should I go to an independent specialist for piece of mind (thought doubt it would get any more than a trustworthy garage).

Is it worth / normal getting the water pump changed at the same time? And finally its due the service and MOT so should I get all the work done at the same time?

TIA

If the independent is used to VAG products and uses VAG genuine parts and you have a few recommendations for the company then I would think it OK.
I would always change the water pump on the Tdi engine at the same time. They might do a deal for doing all of the work so worth asking around for quotes.

It’s a routine replacement part so any mechanic you trust. To be fair the last time I had a timing belt replaced by my local trusted mechanic who I’ve been using for the last 20 years he wasn’t much cheaper than my local VAG dealer, so if you don’t know a decent trusted independent then you probably wont be paying too much of a premium with the dealer.

Mate got one done at audi (A4 2.0 tdi) for £600 with water pump (water pump actually needed done so he got the timing belt done with it). He did phone about the other VAG garages but there was nowt in it pricewise

I had a 62 plate T5 done (belt + pump) at a trustworthy regular garage. No concerns. One test is to maybe call around and ask for timing belt and see if they offer up the water pump.

My V40 D2 went in for this as a matter of good maintenance just before the service was needed, the aftermarket pump was faulty and caused the Head gasket to fail.

Luckily the parts manufacturer has a 3 year warranty on all their parts and the repair is being done under this.

It’s worth checking what parts are being used and any relevant warranties to avoid any potential risks and expensive repairs.