Just had my timing belt, aux belt, water pump and all the tensioners and pulleys changed on my 2011 1.6tdi octavia...  Approaching 70k miles. 

 

They are all like brand new for info, not so much as a crack on either belt or weep on the pump, or wiggle on the tensioners. 

 

I know it's always the worry and what if scenario if you shoot past the service schedule date which is 5 years... I'd already gone over on time and mileage by a bit, but I was confident that that was okay as I'd inspect the belts regularly to see if anything dodgy. 

 

Just a quick post to let you know that 6 years and 70k miles doesn't take as much toll as you'd think on your belts etc, which for info are made by Dayco and branded as both dayco and VW /AUDI.

 

I also realise no two cars are the same!

 

 

 

 

Water pump failure is quite common of these engines and requires the belt to be changed at the same time due to coolant damage to the belt. In any case, if you are changing the pump you are already removing the belt so there would be no point in putting the old one back.

Luckily mine failed just six months or so before the belt needed to be changed anyway. My pump failed suddenly with no history of weeping or coolant loss. It was just like opening a tap.

Nice to know that timing belts have a high safety margin on life