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Hi Patrick,

That is very high mileage of course, but many diesels are quite capable of it so long as they're maintained properly. Look for a detailed service history covering oil changes in particular, and on-time timing belt changes as well. 

Even so, there's no doubt that a car with that mileage on it will require mechanical maintenance. I'd only consider such a car if the price was exceptionally low in comparison to other examples with lower mileages. 

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Hi Stephen,

Every 180,000km or 10 years, whichever comes first.

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Hi Nick,

Yeah, it's quite normal to do both together. The main reason is that, to do the water pump, it would require taking off the timing belt anyway, so it makes sense, as they don't last forever, to do it at the same time, as it costs no extra labour, just the parts.

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Hi Sandi,

If it has never been changed then you should get it done immediately, as it should be replaced every 200,000km or 10 years, whichever comes soonest.

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Hi Rebecca,

You've not given us the year or engine size, so here's a summary:

Kuga gen 1 (2008-2013): both engines (2.0 TDCi diesel and 2.5-litre petrol) use timing belts that must be changed every 200,000km or 10 years, whichever comes first.

Kuga gen 2 (2013-2020): the 1.5 and 1.6 EcoBoost petrol engines and the 2.0 TDCi diesel engine have timing belts that must be changed every 200,000km or 10 years, whichever comes first. The 2.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine uses a timing chain. 

Unusually, the schedule for the 1.5 TDCi diesel engine's timing belt replacement depends on the model year. Up to 2018 it's the same as the others above, but after 2018, the interval is reduced to 180,000km.

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Hi Michael,

Assuming that it’s the 105hp version of the Focus 1.6 TDCi, and uses a manual gearbox, then it has CO₂ emissions of 88g/km, which means tax of €180 per year.

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Hi Julian.

The Kuga's belt should be changed every 200,000km or every 10 years, whichever comes sooner, so, as your car is now 10 years old, it'd be wise to get the belt done when you can.

It wouldn't be helpful for us to give you a price for the work, as labour rates vary considerably from garage to garage. And the price of the parts will vary too, depending on where they are bought. It might help to know that the work should take no more than three hours, but don't forget that, as well as the timing belt itself, the auxiliary belts will need to be replaced, as will the water pump.

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Hi Alan,

If you buy the car yourself, then there’s no BIK issue to worry about, even if you are using it for work. As for taxing it, if you’re strictly and only using it for work purposes, then it can be taxed as a commercial vehicle and will set you back a mere €333 in motor tax every year. If you are using it for personal use as well, then strictly speaking you’re supposed to tax it as a private car, which means taxing it on the engine capacity, which means an annual motor tax bill of €994. Also, you need to openly declare to your insurer what the vehicle is being used for.

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Hi Gavin,

I'm afraid the registration you gave us came back as a Hyundai on Cartell.ie, so we assume there's a typo there. However, looking at the 2008 Focus:

1.4/1.6 petrol: timing belt

1.6/2.0 TDCi diesel: timing belt, with small timing chain at back of engine joining the camshafts

1.8 TDCi diesel: timing belt, with separate belt or chain for high-pressure pump drive

1.8/2.0 petrol: timing chain

Hopefully that covers your car, but come back to us if not, with more details.

Expert answer

Hi Lee,

It's only the 1.8 TDCi diesel engine from Ford that used that wet belt set-up, none of the others. The 1.8-litre engine was never offered in the Kuga.