When should I replace the cam belt?

Can you tell me when it’s wise to change the cam belt on my 2007 Vauxhall Vectra? My local garage says 100,000 miles or 10 years, whichever comes first. Do you agree?

Erratic engine on Ford Focus

My 1999 Ford Focus has started behaving erratically. A few weeks ago the revs started to jump to 1400rpm when the engine was warmed up, while other times it’ll drop to 750rpm and cause the engine to labour....

Should I replace my Honda Accord or keep it until it breaks?

My 2.0-litre petrol auto Honda Accord is over 13 years old, has 76,000 miles on the clock and still goes really well. I do less than 3000 miles a year, a local mechanic does all the required servicing,...

Does my Audi TT's cambelt really need replacing?

I am told by the garage that the cam belt should be replaced on my five year old Audi TT. The car has done 33,000 miles and not driven hard (rarely exceed 3000 rpm). Do Audi really build an engine which...

What happens if my car's timing belt snaps?

2009 Hyundai Santa Fe has a timing belt and reading the handbook it tells me that my 2.2 diesel only requires its timing belt replaced every 100,000 miles or 10 years. Yet the petrol model of the same...

Smoke and burning smell on Vauxhall Vectra

I have a Vauxhall Vectra 150 design CDTI that is smoking a lot. There's also a smell of rubber burning, along with a rattle from the front left hand side of engine. Any idea what could be wrong?

When should I change the cambelt on my Ford Fiesta?

I have just acquired a 2006 Ford Fiesta 1.2 petrol with 60,000 miles on the clock. When should the cambelt be changed? I will only cover 3000-5000 miles a year.

Should I have the cam belt changed on my 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe?

My 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe has been main dealer maintained from new and has been exceptional in every respect. It is now coming up for its next service at 70,000 miles and the cambelt has never been changed....

Cam belt replacement after 10 years - is it really necessary?

I own a 2003 Ford Fiesta Zetec with 80,000 miles on the clock. The car has just passed its MoT and I have been told that the cam belt needs replacing every 10 years or 100,000 miles, at a cost of £350....

I'd like to buy a new Skoda Octavia, but does the cam belt really need changing every four years?

The new Octavia is getting acclaim in all the reviews I have seen, but few have tested or commented on the 1.4 TSI 140PS petrol unit which I am thinking of buying to replace my 2007/57 2.0 Mazda 6. Quizzing...