I recently needed an annual service for my Fabia 1.4 at 35,000 miles and eight years old. However the Skoda garage said that the cambelt should be replaced every four years which was then done. But looking through the Skoda service schedule there is no mention of this and only that the cambelt on diesels should be replaced at 60,000 miles. So have the cambelts been failing with dramatic consequences for the petrol engine Fabias? How has this come about, the experiences of other Fabia owners would be welcome. Also if I had not had the service by a Skoda dealer would this new need have been missed?

I've read that apparently there were occasions where belts would fail in their fifth year. Generally four years is the norm for most manufacturers.

Its not only use which will cause the belts' condition to deteriorate but also the age (think off all the conditions the belt goes through of heating up, cooling down, wet, dry etc) which will affect its lifespan.

Firsty, hello and welcome to the forum. Top tip - before you ask a question use the search function (at the top). You will find lots of info regarding cambelts across the VAG regarding cambelt change intervals. Basically, iit's a mileage thing depending on engine, but ALL have to be changed every 4 years if they don't come up on mileage first.

I understand that a petrol 1.2 3 pot furbie ( 53 plate ) doesn't need doing cos it's chain driven...Correct or not?? :confused:

Correct, most automotive 3 cylinder/12v engines are chain driven.

Although I'm sure they need some form of maintenance.

I understand that a petrol 1.2 3 pot furbie ( 53 plate ) doesn't need doing cos it's chain driven...Correct or not?? :confused:

erm.....I was referring to the engines that have cambelts:rolleyes:

And leave a 1.4 16v at your peril, rollers (which must be changed, 2 belts and 2 rollers) are very common to failure leaving a rather expensive repair bill.

+1 - he knows what he's talking about:D

Thanks for all the replies. It's clearly a good idea to replace the cambelt every four years but strange that something important like this is omitted from the Skoda service schedule.

Presumably they have got round to including it in the schedule for new Fabias.

Its been an addition of recent years and the owners manuals dont get updated and notoriosly out of date anyhow.

The only place to get current service data is ELSA at your Skoda main dealer.

I'm about to buy a Skoda Fabia 1.4 16v and being a bit of a girl, the mileage is low for a 2001 plate, I didn't realise the cambelt had to be replaced after 4 years; I thought it was 70,000 miles ??? Which is true, before I make this purchase .... hopefully I may be able to make the negotiation and have the belt done beforehand !

The cam belt should be changed every 4 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first.

I'm about to buy a Skoda Fabia 1.4 16v and being a bit of a girl, the mileage is low for a 2001 plate, I didn't realise the cambelt had to be replaced after 4 years; I thought it was 70,000 miles ??? Which is true, before I make this purchase .... hopefully I may be able to make the negotiation and have the belt done beforehand !

Not trying to hijack... Just check the oil consumption on the car - may need piston rings if it is an early 1.4 16v.