Broken cam belt - is the garage to blame?
I have a 10 year old Ford Focus. It broke down recently and the AA came out and said the cam belt was broken. The car was towed to my local dealership/garage where I have the car serviced. The garage has estimated repair costs far above the value of the car, which means I have no option but to buy a new car.
However it has been suggested to me that the cam belt should have been changed at around six years or 60,000 miles. Despite having the car serviced every year for at the same Ford garage, I have never been advised to change the cam belt. Has the Ford garage been negligent?
However it has been suggested to me that the cam belt should have been changed at around six years or 60,000 miles. Despite having the car serviced every year for at the same Ford garage, I have never been advised to change the cam belt. Has the Ford garage been negligent?
Asked on 6 December 2013 by LE74
Answered by
Honest John
They should have reminded you and I think the service book does anyway. But it is actually rare for these belts to break.
Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.
The Good Garage GuideSimilar questions
I can't afford the £1400 quoted for fixing my 2007 Citroen C4 after the cam belt snapped. Garage said they would have to send head off to check damage first. Is it worth me buying a new head myself and...
I bought an old motorhome last August and the dealer did quite a bit of work on it prior to collection. He paid for a service and cam belt change at his usual local garage. However, the cam belt tensioner...
My 2013 Ford Fiesta 125 Ecoboost has a failed cambelt. Ford recommend changing at 150,000 miles, but mine failed at 108,000 and it has a full service history from new. I've been told by Ford that it's...
Related models
Superb blend of keen handling and ride comfort. Seats five in comfort. five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating.
Elsewhere on 
