Since i'm now car-less and will be looking for another ford diesel of course, my questions are these.

It there a way of cheaking if a timing belt has been changed apart from service book, and secondly is there an after market belt/ kit which is over engineered i.e bullet proof? Last longer then engine its self? guaranteed for life? etc etc.

you have to rely on the service book or some kind of paperwork to say the work has been done,the best thing would be to get a mondeo mk3 tdci as these have timing chains not belts, and if serviced are good for 150000+,but can suffer other problems.

As for a cambelt, there is no way of telling if it's brand new or on the verge of snapping unless there is history with the car.

thats what i said