My cambelt has snapped can I take the dealer to court?

I bought a car from a dealer on the 5th December, on the 27th of December I was on my way to see some family about 2 hours away, when the cambelt snapped on the car. now according to the manufacturer the belt should have been changed 10,000 miles prior to me buying the car. The car was purchased from a car dealer in my area. I have written to him saying that he foot the bill for the damage caused. But he said that it was a serviceable item and should have been changed by me as he had no doentation that it had been changed. I want to know whether or not it is worth my while taking him to a small claims court, he says he has no problems going to court and will pay in dribs and drabs if decision go's against him, Help on this matter please.