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Mar 04, 2025A mechanic has warned over an 'unfixable' problem on all cars built after 2017. Dave Harrison, a mechanic at 911 Auto Repairs in Sheffield, explained wet belts in new models were hard for repair teams to fix.
He previously warned the crucial component would only last “10 years” before becoming damaged. Dave said: “The next big scandal - wet belts. 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. It deteriorates and it can stop your brakes working. But if it breaks after nine years, they don’t want to know." Dave added: “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.
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"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." Also known as a cambelt, the timing belt is a critical component in an internal combustion engine that helps synchronise the rotation of the crankshaft and the camshaft in the vehicle’s engine.
The belt ensures that the engine's valves open and close at the right times during the engine cycle, allowing for efficient operation and performance of the cylinders. They are typically made of rubber and reinforced with special fibres for strength that can withstand high temperatures and the stresses of extended engine use.
A worn or broken timing belt can lead to serious engine damage – or wider issues within the engine itself. Timing belts typically need to be replaced every 50,000 to 100,000 miles, but the exact interval will vary based on the make and model of your vehicle.
The age of the timing belt will also impact its replacement schedule, with some carmakers recommending a replacement every 5 - 10 years.