Timing belt: when to replace it, and what it costs

The one service where the date beats the symptom

Most parts warn you. Brakes squeal, a battery cranks slowly, tyres look worn. A timing belt does none of that. It runs quietly inside a cover until the day it does not, and on an interference engine — which is most of them — the pistons then meet the valves.

That is why this job is scheduled by date and distance rather than by inspection.

The interval

Manufacturers publish intervals between roughly 60,000 and 160,000 km, or 5 to 10 years, according to the review compiled by La Pièce Auto. The spread is enormous because it depends on the engine family, not on the brand's reputation.

Two consequences most drivers miss:

• Whichever limit arrives first applies. A car at 40,000 km after nine years is due.
• A low-mileage car is not exempt. Rubber dries, hardens and cracks while parked, so time alone degrades the belt.

What it costs in 2026

Expect roughly 400 to 1,000 € for the full job — belt kit, tensioners, usually the water pump, and several hours of labour, per BtoB Job's 2026 price review. Some engines require dropping a mount or removing the front end, which pushes the figure up.

Replacing the water pump at the same time is standard practice: it is driven by the same belt, and doing it separately means paying the labour twice.

Signs worth acting on

A belt rarely announces itself, but these deserve a same-week appointment:

• A rhythmic ticking or slapping from the belt cover that changes with engine speed.
• Oil or coolant seepage near the belt area — both attack rubber.
• Rough starting or an engine that feels slightly out of phase.

None of these is reliable enough to replace the schedule. They are reasons to bring the job forward, never to postpone it.

The practical problem: proving when it was done

On a used car, "the belt has been done" is worth exactly as much as the invoice behind it. No invoice, no proof — and the safe assumption is that it has not been done, which means paying for it again.

Keeping the invoice attached to the car, not to a drawer, is the whole point of a maintenance log. Autofy records the date, the mileage and the document, so the next question about the belt has a one-line answer. If you are buying second-hand, our used car checklist covers what to ask for.

Frequently asked questions

How often should a timing belt be replaced? Every 60,000 to 160,000 km or 5 to 10 years depending on the engine, whichever comes first. The manufacturer's figure is in the service schedule.

What happens if the timing belt breaks? On most modern engines the valves and pistons collide, which typically means a rebuilt or replaced engine — far more expensive than the preventive job.

How much does the job cost? Commonly 400 to 1,000 € including the kit, the water pump and labour, with some models running higher. Prices vary by engine layout and shop rates.