Dry timing belt
Volkswagen · Audi · Škoda · SEAT · 2012 onwards. Dry belt in a plastic cover. Inspect for oil contamination from a leaking cam cover, which shortens belt life sharply.
Commonly Polo, Golf, Ibiza, Fabia, A1 (2012 onwards). Engine codes changed through production, so confirm the code on the car in front of you before ordering parts or quoting the job.
The 1.0 / 1.5 TSI (EA211) used by Volkswagen, Audi, Škoda, SEAT (2012 onwards) runs a dry timing belt. Dry belt in a plastic cover. Inspect for oil contamination from a leaking cam cover, which shortens belt life sharply.
The published schedule is 130,000 miles or 8 years, whichever comes first. Always confirm against the car's own service book, because intervals vary by market and build date.
Expect roughly £400-£850 at a UK independent garage, depending on whether the water pump and tensioner go in at the same time and how much has to come off to reach the belt. Main-dealer quotes usually sit above that range.
On an interference engine the valves and pistons meet, which usually means a cylinder head at best and a replacement engine at worst. That is why an unproven timing history is a price conversation, not a detail.
Commonly Polo, Golf, Ibiza, Fabia, A1 (2012 onwards). The list is not exhaustive and engine codes changed through production, so confirm the exact code on the car in front of you before ordering parts or quoting work.
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