Hope this post helps others. So my son’s wetbelt snapped and ruined his engine. It’s a 2019 1.1 duratec engine (60000 miles) Originally bought from peoples with full service history in 2022. He’s also had it serviced every year in the same place.

So we had it towed back there after originally the aa took it to a local garage who said it’s knackered annd to replace the engine would be uneconomical and would give us £800 scrap for the car.

So peoples said it would cost £8000 to replace the engine. so we disputed this and they said the cars too old and out of warranty

Also forgot to mention we had originally contacted Ford directly and they said the 1.1 duratec isn’t covered by the good will scheme

So we then sent them a letter saying we would dispute this in the small claims court and ombudsman, long story short the manager got in touch and was really helpful. He said he would source a brand new engine all we had to pay was the £1500 cost to replace the engine, we said no that’s still to high, they cam back a week later with a lower offer of £750! We agree anyway all sorted. Hope this helps someone

And here was my LETTER BEFORE ACTION which kick started peoples into action

LETTER BEFORE ACTION – BREACH OF CONSUMER RIGHTS ACT 2015

Vehicle: Ford Focus

Registration: [Insert registration]

Year: 2019

Engine: 1.1 Duratec (wet timing belt)

Mileage at failure: approx. 60,000 miles

Date of purchase: [Insert date]

Selling dealer: Peoples Ford (Ford main dealer)

1. Background

I purchased the above vehicle from Peoples Ford as a used vehicle when it was approximately three years old. Peoples Ford acted as the trader within the meaning of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (“CRA 2015”).

Since purchase, the vehicle has been maintained strictly in accordance with Ford’s servicing requirements, with servicing carried out by Ford main dealers using Ford-approved oils and procedures.

Service history since purchase includes:

• 03/02/2022 – Ford service (vehicle age 4 years / approx. 60,000km)

• 08/06/2023 – Ford Essential Service

• 07/02/2025 – Ford Essential Service

At no time has the vehicle missed a scheduled service or been maintained outside manufacturer requirements.

2. Failure

At approximately 60,000 miles, the engine suffered catastrophic failure.

Peoples Ford’s own diagnostic report confirms:

• Timing belt failure

• Camshafts not rotating

• Complete engine failure

• Engine beyond economic repair

• Replacement engine required

• Estimated repair cost: £8,535.78

The diagnostic report does not attribute the failure to misuse, neglect, incorrect oil, or missed servicing.

3. Breach of the Consumer Rights Act 2015

Section 9 – Satisfactory Quality

Under Section 9 CRA 2015, goods supplied by a trader must be of satisfactory quality, taking into account:

• Fitness for purpose

• Durability

• Safety

• Age, mileage, and price

A modern Ford vehicle with full Ford main-dealer service history should reasonably be expected to operate without catastrophic engine failure at 60,000 miles.

A snapped wet timing belt resulting in total engine destruction at this mileage represents a lack of durability and therefore a breach of Section 9 CRA 2015.

Section 19 – Consumer’s Rights to Enforce Terms

Under Section 19 CRA 2015, where goods do not conform to the contract, the consumer is entitled to a remedy.

Although the vehicle was purchased more than six months ago, the nature of this failure is such that it demonstrates the vehicle was not of satisfactory quality at the time of sale, due to an inherent lack of durability.

Warranty Position

I acknowledge that the manufacturer’s warranty has expired. However, statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 are entirely separate from and not limited by any manufacturer’s warranty.

4. Remedy Sought

In accordance with Sections 19 and 24 CRA 2015, I am seeking a financial remedy to reflect the breach of contract, namely:

• A substantial contribution towards the cost of engine replacement or repair
  OR

• An alternative financial settlement acceptable to both parties

I am willing to resolve this matter without court proceedings, provided a reasonable proposal is made.

5. Notice of Intended Legal Action

If I do not receive a written response within 14 days of the date of this letter confirming your intention to resolve this matter, I will proceed without further notice to:

• Refer the dispute to The Motor Ombudsman, and/or

• Issue a claim in the County Court (Small Claims Track) for breach of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, seeking recovery of losses, court fees, and associated costs.

6. Evidence

I will rely upon the following evidence:

• Peoples Ford diagnostic report

• Full Ford service history

• Correspondence with Ford UK

• Independent expert mechanical opinion (if required)

I trust Peoples Ford will now address this matter promptly and professionally.

Yours faithfully,

[Your Name]

Here was the original response from Ford.

Great result Gavin, very well done!

Just to be clear, it was People's, not Ford, who stumped up?

The Essential service is NOT a scheduled service. I think you have been lucky here...not sure others in the same position would get the same result from other dealers.

1 hour ago, TomsFocus said:

The Essential service is NOT a scheduled service.

Yes, I spotted that and was wondering how it would be considered. I think it's the same thing that they used to term "value service" for older cars - which my Ford dealer used to recommend. The Ford goodwill scheme (which doesn't apply to the 1.1 anyway for some reason) doesn't actually say "scheduled service" though, just to muddy the waters.

Although in this case (unless Gavin comes back and says otherwise) it's the dealer who's settled (again, we don't know if Ford may have contributed?).

Certainly the first instance I've seen of anyone getting anything of any value from a dealer or Ford in these circumstances!

Yeah. Not a clue about essential service. It’s my son’s car and he just took it to people’s for its annual service. And yes, it was people’s who we dealt with, as fords fobbed us off. So that’s why we used the sales of goods act, targeting who we bought it off.

Very happy indeed. Hopefully this helps somebody who’s had same fault.

I was thinking of buying another Fiesta to replace my Mark 6; maybe a Mk7, 7.5 or 8. It would probably be at least five years old as my budget would be max about £5-6K. But I'm bewildered by these appalling wet cam belt problems... Am I correct in thinking the 1.2 litre models do not have wet belts? Do any petrol Fiestas not have wet belts? Can anyone point me to a good guide for buying used petrol/manual Fiestas? Thanks.

12 minutes ago, Steve Parry said:

Am I correct in thinking the 1.2 litre models do not have wet belts? Do any petrol Fiestas not have wet belts?

If you mean the 1.25, yes, no wet belts. Wet belts only appeared with the 1.0 Ecoboost on the facelift Mk 7 (aka Mk 7.5) from late 2012. Before that all petrol Mk 7s (1.25, 1.4, 1.6) had dry belts.

Even then the 1.25 continued to be available for several more years so you could find a 17 plate.The 1.6ST also had dry belts.

Mk 8/8.5 from late 2017 to the end of production in 2023 was always wet belt only on petrols. Even the later 1.0s and the 1.5ST which have chain cam drive, still have wet belts for the oil pump.

So your choice is basically limited to Mk 7s and 1.25 or 1.6 ST Mk 7.5s.

I was also considering a DS3 but again many have wet belts with similar problems. Although I understood from the guy on 'High Peak Autos' YTube channel their 1.2l version is reliable.

9 hours ago, Steve Parry said:

I was also considering a DS3

This thread is about a very specific topic which will be of interest to many.

What to buy without a wet belt has been done to death on here so you should be able to find a more appropriate thread if you search around. Or start your own.