How Often Should You Change a Timing Belt?

22 April 2026 · 4 min read min read

What a Timing Belt Does

The timing belt keeps your engine's crankshaft and camshaft turning in perfect sync, so the valves open and close at exactly the right moment relative to the pistons. Get that timing wrong and, on most engines, pistons and valves can collide.

Unlike many parts, a timing belt does not usually give obvious warning signs before it fails — it is a wear item that needs changing on a schedule, not when it starts sounding worn.

Typical Intervals by Make

Timing belt intervals vary considerably, typically somewhere between 60,000 and 100,000 miles or every 5 to 10 years, whichever comes first — but the exact figure depends entirely on your specific make and engine, so it is worth checking your handbook rather than assuming.

Age matters as much as mileage. A ten-year-old car with low mileage can still need a timing belt change on time, because rubber degrades over the years regardless of how far the car has travelled.

What Happens If It Snaps

On an "interference" engine — the majority of modern cars — a snapped timing belt lets the pistons and valves collide, which usually means catastrophic and expensive engine damage, often a full rebuild or replacement engine.

It typically fails with no warning while driving, which is exactly why manufacturers set a mileage and age interval rather than waiting for symptoms.

Belt vs Chain vs Wet Belt

Some engines use a timing chain instead, designed to last the life of the engine, though chains can still stretch or wear over very high mileages. Others use a "wet belt" — a rubber belt running in engine oil rather than dry — which has its own, often shorter, failure risks; see our dedicated guide on wet belts.

Not sure which your car has or when it is due? At Millfields Auto Services in Bilston, we can check your service history and manufacturer schedule and let you know. Call us on 01902 492116 or book online.

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