Mechanic warns drivers over 'unfixable' problem with certain cars

MOTORISTS IN THE MARKET FOR A NEW OR USED CAR HAVE BEEN URGED TO AVOID A CERTAIN ENGINE TYPE THAT COULD MAKE THEIR VEHICLE 'WORTHLESS' 14:15, 28 May 2025 UK motorists are being

warned about the risks of buying used cars with a certain type of engine that could render the car worthless. A prominent mechanic has raised concerns for buyers of pre-owned cars,

particularly those with wet belt engines, which can be expensive to repair and in some cases completely "unfixable". A wet belt engine is one where the timing belt is bathed in

engine oil, intended to reduce wear and theoretically extend its lifespan. However, this design comes with significant disadvantages. Wet belts tend to wear out faster, suffer contamination

from the oil, and accumulate debris, all of which can result in substantial repair costs. Despite their smaller size and quieter operation, wet belt engines demand more regular maintenance

due to the oil potentially hastening the deterioration of the rubber belt. The danger of parts of the rubber detaching is particularly alarming, as it increases the likelihood of the belt

snapping and causing the camshaft and crankshaft to lose synchronisation. Moreover, bits of rubber can clog the oil pickup strainer, leading to insufficient lubrication of the engine

components. Dave Harrison from 911 Auto Repairs has issued an alert to potential buyers of second-hand vehicles, recommending they avoid cars with wet belt engines because of the high repair

costs and sometimes irreversible damage, reports Yorkshire Live. Harrison said: "The next big scandal - wet belts." Article continues below WE HAVE A DEDICATED NEWSLETTER FOR

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well as stories on the cost of living crisis in our region. They replaced timing belts with wet belts on a lot of models after 2017, supposedly they're more efficient. But the wet belt

is a big problem because it only has a 10-year interval and then it breaks." He went into detail about the potential hazards, noting: "It deteriorates and it can stop your brakes

working. But if it breaks after nine years, they don't want to know. And when it does [break], it's very difficult to fix. It takes twice as long as a normal belt to fix and it

costs more to replace." Article continues below Sharing his exasperation, Harrison added: "That's one that makes your eyes roll when you see it - oh god, it's got a wet

belt. They say it's better but it ends up costing double to fix or it's unfixable and makes the car basically worthless." Initially deployed in Ford's 1.8L diesel engines

in Europe from 2008, the use of wet belts has been embraced by various manufacturers for their vehicles. These includethe popular Ford 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine which powers UK favourites

like the Fiesta, Focus, and EcoSport since 2012, with improvements being made from 2019 onwards. Motorists looking to avoid cars with a wet belt engine should also think twice before buying

a Peugeot, Citroen, or Vauxhall equipped with the 1.2 PureTech between 2012 and 2023, as these models also incorporate this problematic engine design. However, when purchasing any new or

second-hand vehicle, drivers should bear in mind that even a dry timing belt necessitates upkeep, with manufacturers recommending a replacement every decade.