Hi, 

I bought my used 2014 Fiesta Mk7.5 two years ago and it had 126 000km.

Now it's already at 158 000km and 11 years old. I went through the service papers and found none saying that the timing belt was changed. 

How can i know if the belt is good or not? The previous owner might have changed it at an unregistered mechanics workshop. 

I know my belt runs in the engine's oil. That means it wouldn't make any sounds when damaged, right? 

The car is running fine but I'm still afraid of the belt snapping at some point. Though the belt change is too expensive where I live so I would like to avoid doing it if the belt is in good shape. 

 

What can I do? 

Well, you could always have the sump dropped and the condition of the belt inspected and the oil pump pick up checked for particles of disintegrating belt.

Even if the belt looked fine though, it still wouldn't tell you if it had been changed. Some members have reported belts in apparently perfect condition when replaced.

Most likely scenario I would think is that the previous owner moved the car on at 9 years old to avoid having to do the belt change. You don't say if it was a private or dealer purchase, but from what I've seen most sellers prominently mention a recent belt change (with evidence) as a big selling point.

I would say your only safe option, if intending to keep the car, is to get the belts changed.

1 hour ago, Euphorium said:

Now it's already at 158 000km

Was that Nicola Sturgeon's idea to measure distance in km in Scotland ? 🤣

1 minute ago, unofix said:

Was that Nicola Sturgeon's idea to measure distance in km in Scotland ? 🤣

A little bit closer back into the EU