Hi All,

Apologies for pitching straight in with a first post that is a long request for assistance without much in the way of introduction, but my parents are currently on holiday in France, and their car - a Skoda Superb 2.5 TDi on, I think, a 53 plate - has decided to go bang in no uncertain terms, and could really use some help and information. I still don't have full details, and those I do have are 3rd hand from the local Skoda dealer to my father via the RAC, but what I do have sounds pretty bad.

Firstly, what is definitely known. The accessory belt and belt tensioner have failed. Now I would assume that under most circumstances this wouldn't be too serious, but it also seems that something has seriously affected the engine timing. It sounds almost like the cam belt has gone, but apparently the engine still runs (just about) so I assume this can't be the case? Unless there's a belt for each bank of cylinders and one has gone? Not knowing this engine, is there any reason for an accessory belt failure to cause this sort of engine problem?

The car went in to have the cam belt changed 5k miles ago at 40k as required. I would assume that it would be standard procedure to change all belts at the same time, but the garage in France reckon the accessory belt hadn't been replaced.

So, a few questions...

1. Should the accessory belt have been replaced at the same time as the cam belt?

2. Could the accessory belt failing also impact the cam belt or engine timing?

3. Does this sound like anything that is a known problem with this engine?

4. Worst case scenario, does anyone know the parts and approximate labour costs for a new engine?

Ideally, is there a nice, benevolent Skoda dealer or specialist on here that could help out, maybe with details of what should have been included in a main dealer cam belt change?

Best case scenario, one of the parts that was replaced will be shown to have failed and caused the damage, in which case it will all be fixed by Skoda UK, or more messily having to claim against the main dealer if the belt change turns out to have been wrongly or incompletely carried out, or worst case scenario it turns out to be something compeletely different, in which case they're potentially looking at a bill for a new engine.

Tip no One, Unless its a very obvious easy repair push to get the car bought back to the UK as it is, If foreign dealers are left to repair it you have no control, If its not a warranty issue then they can repair it as they see fit & you have little control over the final bill, If they **** it up its a long way to take it back. Its also hard to argue warranty issues over hundreds of miles

AA/RAC often prefer cars to be repaired abroad as its cheaper for them than repatriating the car. All they are normally obliged to do if its repaired is fly one person out to collect it when finished

If they are coming back in a renter some companies will send an English car out to the french ferry port for you to swap into but you need to book it well in advance, it saves you carying all your bags on & off the ferry.

If you leave the car TAKE LOADS of pictures, we had a couple come back after last years Furball on transporters & one was quite badly damaged, Ive also seen others scratched before now. Without piccies you dont have a leg to stand on. Be there when the cars delivered to check it over for damage & also to ensure nothing left in the car has gone walkies & obviously dont leave cameras etc in the car