Wet timing belt cars: which makes and engines have a belt in oil?

A wet timing belt runs in the engine oil. Not every car has one, and even within one model it depends on the engine and the build year. Below you will find, make by make, which engines the sources name, and how to find out what is under the bonnet of your own car.

By the team at Autobedrijf Willemsbrug, RDW-approved APK (MOT) test station since 1979 · Updated 4 November 2026

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The short answer

Wet timing belts are mainly found in the 1.0 and 1.2 PureTech petrol engines from Peugeot, Citroën, DS and Opel (not in the mild hybrid versions) and in the Ford 1.0 EcoBoost. According to Auto Bild, the Ford 2.0 EcoBlue diesel also has a belt in oil, and TopGear names the Honda Civic 1.0 VTEC. On a number of Volkswagen diesels, only the oil pump belt runs in oil. Whether your car has a wet belt depends on the engine code and the build year, and we can look that up for you from your registration number.

What is a wet timing belt?

A wet timing belt (belt-in-oil) is a timing belt that runs inside the engine and is lubricated by the engine oil. A dry belt sits on the outside of the engine, behind a cover. A timing chain is made of metal and also runs in oil. The timing belt or chain makes sure the valves open and close at the right moment.

Manufacturers chose a wet belt because it runs quietly and with little friction. The downside is that the belt is sensitive to the quality of the oil. According to parts manufacturer NTN-SNR, the belt on the 1.2 PureTech wears faster when the oil is diluted with unburnt fuel. This happens mainly on cars that cover less than 15,000 km a year, mostly in town. You can read more about how it works and the typical complaints on our page about the wet timing belt.

Which makes and engines have a wet timing belt?

The table below only lists engines named by a manufacturer, the ANWB (the Dutch motoring organisation), a parts manufacturer or the motoring press. The build years are the years the source gives. Auto Bild gives its years as approximate.

Make Engine What runs in oil Build years according to the source
Peugeot, Citroën, DS, Opel 1.0 and 1.2 PureTech (petrol, three cylinders) Timing belt 1.2 PureTech: belt wear in some cases on engines built from 2014 to 2019 (ANWB), about 2013 to 2022 (Auto Bild). The mild hybrid version has a chain.
Ford 1.0 EcoBoost (petrol, three cylinders) Timing belt See our article on the Ford EcoBoost. We check the build year from your registration number.
Ford 2.0 EcoBlue (diesel) Timing belt and oil pump belt From about 2016 (Auto Bild)
Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, Skoda A number of diesels, including the 2.0 TDI Only the oil pump belt From about 2014 (Auto Bild)
Honda Civic 1.0 VTEC Turbo Timing belt The source gives no build years

Sources: ANWB (PureTech engine), Stellantis (press release of 7 May 2025), Citroën (press release of 19 February 2024), NTN-SNR, Auto Bild (30 August 2026) and TopGear Netherlands (5 April 2025). Checked on 5 November 2026.

Is your engine not in the table? That does not automatically mean it has a dry belt or a chain. It only means we found no authoritative source that names it. We can check which engine you have from your registration number.

Which Peugeot, Citroën and Opel models have a wet timing belt?

For Peugeot, Citroën, DS and Opel, it concerns the 1.0 and 1.2 litre PureTech petrol engines. Stellantis, the parent company of these brands, itself refers to premature degradation of the timing belt on previous generations of the PureTech 1.0 and 1.2. According to the ANWB, mainly 1.2 PureTech engines built from 2014 to 2019 inclusive sometimes suffer from belt wear. The ANWB also writes that the PureTech is fitted to a few small Fiat and Jeep models.

NTN-SNR names the 1.2 PureTech Turbo with the engine codes EB2 DT (110 hp), EB2 DTS (130 hp), EB2 ADTD (100 hp) and EB2 ADTX (155 hp). The NTN-SNR overview includes these models, among others:

  • Peugeot: 208, 2008, 308, 3008, 5008, Partner and Rifter.
  • Citroën and DS: C3, C3 Aircross, C3 Picasso, C4, C4 Cactus, C4 Picasso, C4 SpaceTourer, Berlingo, DS 3, DS 3 Crossback and DS 4.
  • Opel: Corsa, Crossland X, Grandland X and Mokka.
  • Toyota: ProAce City.

Not every version of these models has a PureTech with a wet belt. A diesel, electric or mild hybrid version of the same model does not have this belt. You can read more about the known complaints and the Stellantis warranty scheme on our page about PureTech engine problems.

Which Peugeot does not have a wet timing belt?

The new generation of the 1.2 PureTech for the Stellantis mild hybrid versions has a timing chain. This is stated in a Citroën press release of 19 February 2024 about the 136 hp 1.2 PureTech in the Hybrid 48V. According to that release, 40 percent of the parts of this engine are new. According to the ANWB, the mild hybrid versions use a chain from late 2023.

  • 1.2 PureTech in the mild hybrid (Hybrid 48V): timing chain, according to Citroën and the ANWB.
  • 1.6 PureTech (four cylinders): timing chain, according to the ANWB.
  • Fully electric Peugeot: no combustion engine, so no timing belt.
  • Diesels: the sources in this article do not name a wet timing belt on Peugeot diesels. We can check which timing drive your diesel has from your registration number.

For more about Peugeot engines, including the BlueHDi diesels and the older THP engine, see our article on known problems with Peugeot engines.

Do Ford, Volkswagen and Honda also use a wet timing belt?

Yes, on a number of engines. At Ford it mainly concerns the 1.0 EcoBoost, used in the Fiesta, Focus and Puma and in the Transit Connect and Tourneo Connect, among others. The sources and the replacement intervals for each version are in our article on the Ford EcoBoost with a wet timing belt (in Dutch). According to Auto Bild, the 2.0 EcoBlue diesel in the Focus, Mondeo and Transit also has a timing belt in oil, from about 2016.

Volkswagen is a different story. According to TopGear Netherlands and Auto Bild, the oil pump belt runs in oil on a number of diesels. Auto Bild names the 2.0 TDI. According to TopGear, this only concerns that belt and not the timing belt. For Honda, TopGear names the Civic with the 1.0 VTEC turbo engine. According to TopGear, few of these were sold in the Netherlands.

How do you check whether your car has a wet timing belt?

You check it by the engine code, not only by the model name. A Peugeot 208 can have a PureTech with a wet belt, but also a diesel or an electric motor. This is how to go about it:

  1. Look up the fuel type and engine capacity of your car in the RDW registration check. The RDW is the Dutch vehicle authority.
  2. Look in the owner’s manual or service book for the timing drive. It tells you whether the engine has a belt or a chain and when it needs replacing.
  3. Ask for the engine code, such as EB2 for the 1.2 PureTech. That code may be on the invoice from an earlier service.
  4. Not sure? Call us with your registration number. We can check which engine you have and what the service schedule prescribes.
If your engine is in the table, also check whether there is an open recall. You can do this with the RDW registration check (in Dutch). If a recall is open, book an appointment with a main dealer of your make.

When does a wet timing belt need replacing?

A wet timing belt needs replacing after the number of kilometres or years in your car’s service schedule, whichever comes first. On the PureTech these intervals have been changed over the years, and the sources give different figures. We look up which interval applies to your engine from your registration number.

Engine Interval according to the source
1.2 PureTech, original 180,000 km according to the ANWB, 10 years or 175,000 km according to TopGear
1.2 PureTech Turbo, revised 100,000 km or 6 years according to NTN-SNR
1.2 PureTech, some models 60,000 km or 6 years according to the ANWB
Ford 1.0 EcoBoost 10 years or 240,000 km according to TopGear, with shorter intervals for some versions (see our Ford article)

The service schedule for your engine is what counts. Checked on 5 November 2026.

According to TopGear (April 2025), some countries shortened the PureTech interval, but according to Stellantis the Dutch interval has not changed. That is another reason why the schedule for your own engine applies, and not a figure from an article.

Good oil maintenance is the best protection. Use oil that meets the specification the manufacturer prescribes and change it on time. Read more about engine oil and specifications (in Dutch). NTN-SNR advises changing the oil every year on a PureTech that is driven little. At a car service we follow the schedule of your make. If the belt needs replacing, you get a quote in advance based on your registration number, and we only carry out repairs with your approval.

Frequently asked questions

Does an Opel have a wet timing belt?

Yes, if it has a 1.2 PureTech from an earlier generation. According to NTN-SNR, this includes the Corsa, Crossland X, Grandland X and Mokka with this engine. According to the ANWB and Citroën, the 1.2 in the mild hybrid versions has a chain. We can check which engine your Opel has from your registration number.

Is a wet timing belt bad?

No, not in itself. A wet belt runs quietly and with little friction. It is, however, sensitive to the wrong oil or old oil and to fuel in the oil. Using oil that meets the specification and replacing the belt on time reduces the risk of problems.

Can a wet timing belt break?

Yes. According to the ANWB, a worn belt can cause serious engine damage if the wear is not noticed in time. According to NTN-SNR, particles that come loose from the belt can also block the oil strainer, which can cause a loss of oil pressure. If the red oil warning light comes on, stop as soon as it is safe and switch off the engine.

How much does it cost to replace a wet timing belt?

That depends on the engine and on what else needs replacing. That is why we do not give a figure without knowing your car. You get a quote in advance based on your registration number, and we only carry out extra work with your approval.

Does a Volkswagen TSI have a wet timing belt?

No, not according to the sources in this article. They do not name a TSI petrol engine with a wet timing belt. For Volkswagen, TopGear and Auto Bild only name a number of diesels on which the oil pump belt runs in oil. We can check which timing drive your Volkswagen has from your registration number.

Can I check the condition of the wet belt myself?

No, not properly. The belt sits inside the engine. On the PureTech, according to NTN-SNR, the mechanic measures the width of the belt with a special gauge through the opening used to top up the oil. That is part of a check in the workshop.

Can I have a car with a wet belt serviced at an independent garage?

Yes. You are free to use an independent garage. For the warranty, it does matter that the servicing follows the manufacturer’s schedule. Under the Stellantis warranty scheme for PureTech engines, Stellantis says diagnosis and repair must go through the brand’s dealer network. Read the terms of your manufacturer.

Does your car have a wet timing belt?

Call us on +31 10 479 00 00 with your registration number. We find out which engine you have and when the belt is due, and you get a quote in advance.

You will find us at Boterdiep 11 in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde, close to Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip). We work by appointment. For a quick question or check you can walk in without an appointment.

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