Older EcoBoost engines have had issues with the wet belt design that can cause the oil system to become clogged and cause the belt to fail, with the potential for significant engine damage. While Ford's official advice remains 10 years/150,000 miles, owner experiences have shown that an earlier change is recommended to ensure the engine remains in good health. It could be argued that as you cover a very low mileage you could potentially hold off for a while longer, but a low mileage suggests frequent short journeys which can put additional strain on the engine, so we would not advise doing so.

While the cost of replacement is higher than some vehicles, we would recommend looking at independent Ford specialists who will have the experience and required expertise, and you may be able to get a quote for a lower price. Although this represents a significant cost, your car is still very low mileage and has the potential for many more years of reliable service. If you do decide to go ahead with the maintenance, we would suggest more frequent oil changes to ensure the new belt remains in top condition.

If you decide to change the vehicle, 2019-on Fords using the EcoBoost engine have a timing chain rather than a timing belt. The Fiesta was also available with a 1.25-litre non-EcoBoost engine up until 2016/2017, so although they may be thin on the ground there are examples out there.