Should I change my Skoda Octavia's timing belt?

My Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI model year 2000 has done 20,000 miles and is running perfectly. Should I change the timing belt?

Urban Karlsson (Stockholm )

Apr 2026 Filed under: servicing

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Expert answer

Hi Urban,

If that car really has only done 20,000 miles in 26 years, we're amazed. According to Skoda's schedule, the belt change is by mileage, not time. And, while the exact mileage of the change varies by the year the car was manufactured, none needs changing until past 60,000km. 

That's the official word. If it were my car, I'd have it changed anyway.

Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Advisor