Hi guys,

I'm trying to decide what to do for the best regarding my 2019 registered mk8 Fiesta Vignale, and was after your opinions please.

My Fiesta has 30,000 on the clock

I have it serviced as per recommendations, and oil changes annually.

Most of my journeys are pretty short.

I'm aware of the Wet belt issue, which concerns me and realise when the car has its 8th Birthday, I will need to get the wetbelt and associated parts replaced.

What I wanted to ask was, is the wetbelt the only issue I need to be concerned with or is this engine afflicted with any other components in its design which are also reason for concern.

I'm in 2 minds as to getting rid of it now, and buying some other petrol only vehicle, possibly with chain rather than wet belt, but realising all car engines have some flaws, then if its just the wetbelt on my Fiesta, then maybe more cost effective to keep and spend the £1400 on wet belt replacement, but NOT if there are other issues with this engine.

I'm after a car that will last me in my retirement.

Any help and advice much appreciated

Cheers

 

 

At 30k on the clock, the wetbelt is the only reliability issue I'd be concerned about, the engine has a good 100k left before it'll go bang (provided the belt hasn't already started disintegrating and caused oil starvation to the top end or turbo).

16 hours ago, Neb_engineer said:

At 30k on the clock, the wetbelt is the only reliability issue I'd be concerned about, the engine has a good 100k left before it'll go bang (provided the belt hasn't already started disintegrating and caused oil starvation to the top end or turbo).

But I read alot of posts saying 100k was an optimistic statement made by Ford, and most say 8 years before I should consider changing the belt.

I'm just trying to ascertain if there would be any other aspects of this Lawn mower engine, 😀 that will cause issues after I've changed the wetbelt, if so then nows a good time to get rid.

2 hours ago, SteveStrat said:

that will cause issues after I've changed the wetbelt

Best remember to fit some new strimmer line and top up the radiator with 50% Weed and Feed 🤣

Clutches & gear boxes are not as strong as they used to be. I have a 2019 Fiesta with 44k miles, I will get shot of it before it needs a wet belt and before it gets to 80k miles which is when I find clutch/gearbox problems tend to start.

21 hours ago, SteveStrat said:

I'm in 2 minds as to getting rid of it now, and buying some other petrol only vehicle, possibly with chain rather than wet belt, but realising all car engines have some flaws, then if its just the wetbelt on my Fiesta, then maybe more cost effective to keep and spend the £1400 on wet belt replacement, but NOT if there are other issues with this engine.

I'm after a car that will last me in my retirement.

My 2p - I would get rid of the Ford and replace it with something from Japan.

I also disagree strongly that 'all car engines have some flaws'.

For context, I bought an older Mk7 Fiesta with the old skool 1.6 engine for my son to learn to drive.  I did this after researching the problems on the newer engines - the older units, at the end of the development cycle, have had any faults engineered-out AFAIK.  The problem with the older Fiesta is the 5-speed gearbox, possibly.

As far as the nod to Japan goes, I've mostly had Subarus for the past 25 years, and would also recommend looking at Honda and Toyota etc etc if you don't need/want four wheel drive.

There are also plenty of bomb-proof German engines, interspersed with very poor specific versions - VANOS on BMW for instance, and the oil starvation on the overdeveloped 1.8 VAG engine to name just two.

I would look for something petrol post-2016, that date being only to ensure it is EURO6 and therefore minimise the chances of any successive governments applying ULEZ type rules.

Good luck.

I recently had my wetbelt replaced on a 2015 Fiesta 38k on the clock, 10 years old , and 8 years with a short commute of just over a mile. The belt was in good condition at the time of replacement. I can post a picture of the wet belt if anyone wishes to see it. The Ecoboost is not inherently a bad engine. Just follow the service schedule to avoid potential issues. 

My wetbelt service and MOT cost me £943; it definitely pays to shop around.

10 hours ago, SteveStrat said:

But I read alot of posts saying 100k was an optimistic statement made by Ford

Might be a bit of confusion here? I think Ben was saying that at 30k miles the engine as a whole should have around 100k life left, not referring to the wet belt change.

From your current low mileage it looks as if you would be replacing the belts on a time, rather than mileage, basis anyway.

A friend of mine had theirs done just short of 9 years, similar cost to Chris, no issues since.

If you're thinking of a replacement similar to a Fiesta, there's not a lot around now particularly manual. 

Many thanks guys  I've read all your replies with interest, I really go to a lot of effort to look after my Fiesta, although not capable of DIY maintenance  I always get the service done on time and always the annual oil change.

I was looking at a Mazda 2 as orangecurry mentioned Jap cars are decent, and the 

1.5 litre version is naturally aspirated so hopefully less to go wrong no turbo and  drive chain too.

2 hours ago, cjay1 said:

I recently had my wetbelt replaced on a 2015 Fiesta 38k on the clock, 8 years old, and a short commute of just over a mile. The belt was in good condition at the time of replacement. I can post a picture of the wet belt if anyone wishes to see it. The Ecoboost is not inherently a bad engine. Just follow the service schedule to avoid potential issues. 

My wetbelt service and MOT cost me £943; it definitely pays to shop around.

Hey @cjay1 Thanks for the info, I see you are located not far from me, and the price you've  shown for your belt replacement  looks good, you seem happy with the work, are you able to share the name of firm which did the work please?

15 minutes ago, SteveStrat said:

I was looking at a Mazda 2

Confusingly the "normal" 2 has recently gone off sale, leaving a badge engineered Toyota Yaris "Mazda 2 hybrid". Plenty of nearly new around though, could still be an odd new one in stock somewhere.

I liked the 2, lovely gearchange, though even the highest output 1.5 can't match the poke of an ecoboost (if that matters to you).

 

1 hour ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

Confusingly the "normal" 2 has recently gone off sale, leaving a badge engineered Toyota Yaris "Mazda 2 hybrid". Plenty of nearly new around though, could still be an odd new one in stock somewhere.

I liked the 2, lovely gearchange, though even the highest output 1.5 can't match the poke of an ecoboost (if that matters to you).

 

Oh thanks, sorry I slipped up, it wasn't the 1.5 litre I was interested in it was the mild hybrid, which is better, with way more poke 

11 hours ago, SteveStrat said:

Hey @cjay1 Thanks for the info, I see you are located not far from me, and the price you've  shown for your belt replacement  looks good, you seem happy with the work, are you able to share the name of firm which did the work please?

Got mine done at spear cars they need the car for 2 days to complete the work. 

1.0cc?  Hopefully they take more care over their work than their adverts!

15 minutes ago, cjay1 said:

Gcomwork. 

Thanks mate  that looks like a great deal, so we're you happy with the work then, no issues?

Cheers

Is that £899 per cc ? 😂

14 minutes ago, SteveStrat said:

Thanks mate  that looks like a great deal, so we're you happy with the work then, no issues?

Cheers

I had it done as preventative maintenance. It drives exactly the same before and after the service. I have no complaints. I have also had the rear bushes replaced and the AC recharged this year, both priced competitively. I will most probably return next year at service and MOT time as I have found the price and service to be good.

1 hour ago, cjay1 said:

I had it done as preventative maintenance. It drives exactly the same before and after the service. I have no complaints. I have also had the rear bushes replaced and the AC recharged this year, both priced competitively. I will most probably return next year at service and MOT time as I have found the price and service to be good.

Thanks again mate, that's really useful to know, much appreciated

14 hours ago, SteveStrat said:

Oh thanks, sorry I slipped up, it wasn't the 1.5 litre I was interested in it was the mild hybrid, which is better, with way more poke 

All versions have a 1.5 litre engine: either Mazda's own (some with mild hybrid), or Toyota's in the Yaris clone full hybrid. Basically two different cars with the same name, reviews of each below.

From what I can gather, the mild hybrid doesn't add a lot to the Mazda 1.5, it's more about economy.

https://www.parkers.co.uk/mazda/2/review/

https://www.parkers.co.uk/mazda/2/hybrid/review/

(I was looking at the (original) 2 as a possible replacement for my wife's car at one point, hence my interest.)

 

18 hours ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

Might be a bit of confusion here? I think Ben was saying that at 30k miles the engine as a whole should have around 100k life left, not referring to the wet belt change.

From your current low mileage it looks as if you would be replacing the belts on a time, rather than mileage, basis anyway.

A friend of mine had theirs done just short of 9 years, similar cost to Chris, no issues since.

If you're thinking of a replacement similar to a Fiesta, there's not a lot around now particularly manual. 

Yes I was referring to the engine itself having another 100k in it. Id definitely recommend doing the wetbelt early/ based of time depending on what comes first. I fully agree waiting till 100k to do a wetbelt is absolutely daft and shooting yourself in the foot to spite your nose.

The 3 cylinder ecoboosts as a whole are not he strongest of engines the 1.0 being the weakest of them even on he newer chain drive ones, they still eventually die from 1 cylinder loosing compression leading to misfires, but that is generally around 150k plus on the engine (unless you are unlucky and the engine has been ragged all it's life).

3 hours ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

All versions have a 1.5 litre engine: either Mazda's own (some with mild hybrid), or Toyota's in the Yaris clone full hybrid. Basically two different cars with the same name, reviews of each below.

From what I can gather, the mild hybrid doesn't add a lot to the Mazda 1.5, it's more about economy.

https://www.parkers.co.uk/mazda/2/review/

https://www.parkers.co.uk/mazda/2/hybrid/review/

(I was looking at the (original) 2 as a possible replacement for my wife's car at one point, hence my interest.)

 

Looked at a mazda 2 today, sat in it didnt feel comfortable to me, slightly smaller than fiesta, then the killer

What the hell were Mazda thinking of when they stuck that black vinyl/ rubber sheet on the roof.

A few hot summer days and it would probably be history, it was already looking crabby on the 2024 model we saw today.

Thoughts have moved now to brand new Hyundai i20, but can't make my mind up 🙂

1 hour ago, SteveStrat said:

Thoughts have moved now to brand new Hyundai i20, but can't make my mind up

Lol, I'm getting like that - I used to be indecisive, now I just can't make my mind up!😀 

PS I hope you have more success than I did if you want to test drive the i20. I tried for ages to get a drive in the i20N and gave up in the end and bought another Fiesta.

Afaik the 1.0 I20 doesn't have a wet belt but is a turbo. Interestingly it was mild hybrid but I believe that was dropped recently.

Edited November 19, 2025Nov 19 by Eric Bloodaxe
Extra paragraph

58 minutes ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

Lol, I'm getting like that - I used to be indecisive, now I just can't make my mind up!😀 

 

Haha, that made me laugh

One half of me is saying...its a Hyundai are you sure

The other half of me is saying, but look at the many features.

You're right its a chain drive on the latest, which they claim will last providing its serviced regularly, but at least when that cam drive goes you get a long warning period (rattling)

General reports show owners remain happy with the i20

Had a sit in one It was comfy enough...I quickly checked the spell checker after typing that 🙂

Thanks for your earlier info 👍 

17 minutes ago, SteveStrat said:

General reports show owners remain happy with the i20

Yes, I think Hyundai is rated well for customer satisfaction and the 5 year warranty is a bonus (oddly their sister company Kia gives 7). 

I did manage several test drives in the larger i30N and was very impressed, but we don't need that size car these days.

Just to say - I wasn't suggesting you needed to buy a new car - rather a second-hand one with a better track record than your current model.