Why does my Mercedes-Benz C180 Estate need a new timing chain?

My car is a Mercedes-Benz C180 estate. It was first registered in 2010, but I bought it in 2014 as an approved used car from a main dealer. The car ran fine until recently when I took it to my local dealer for an inspection. However, my main dealer claims that the car - which has 45k on the clock - requires the replacement of the timing chain and tensioners at a cost of £3000. Can this be right?
This is starting to become a common problem: www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/mercedes-benz/c-clas.../ No escape, because it happens with BMW four-cylinder timing chain engines as well.
Answered by Honest John on

Ask Honest John