Hi folks. I need some help in making a decision. I purchased my Fiesta in 2013 but it has only done 28000 miles to date. There is absolutely no mechanical problem with the car and I have booked it in for a routine service including change of oil and air and pollen filters if necessary. The mechanic says the timing belt should be replaced if a car is as old as mine - cost would range between £850 and £1200 I understand. Do I need to do this now with such a low mileage??

Yes it should be done even with the low mileage

The recommended change interval is mileage and time related, to account for both wear and degradation with age.

The change was due at 10 years maximum, so you're on borrowed time and are very lucky it hasn't failed already.

I bought a 2013 1.0 Ecoboost Fiesta in 2016 and changed the belts in 2024, still driving it now, 75k miles. Its a good engine, don't be put off by a minority making a lot of fuss.

Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost Wet Belts Done - Ford Fiesta Club - Ford Owners Club - Ford Forums

You must like the car and you know its history so yes change the belts. The depreciation, vat and taxes on a new car in the first year would be so much more than the belt change. Your Fiesta is only costing you £20 year tax, insurance, servicing and spares are also cheap so its still good value motoring.

Just curious - why does the crankshaft pulley / damper bolt need to be torqued to such an insane level in an engine such as this? thanks.

12 minutes ago, Dauntless said:

Just curious - why does the crankshaft pulley / damper bolt need to be torqued to such an insane level in an engine such as this? thanks.

The crankshaft isn't keyed so the bolt is the only thing holding it in place.

Yes, crank to timing belt pulley isn't keyed. Ford have been making keyless engines for years, long before the Ecoboost. Its tried and tested for over 20 years, it works and allows the cam timing to be set to fine margins.

Thanks - I knew there must have been a sensible reason.