If you've bought a Ford with a 1.0L EcoBoost engine and discovered the wet belt has failed—or is failing—you're facing one of the most notorious design defects in modern car manufacturing. This isn't normal wear and tear, and you likely have strong grounds to reject the vehicle.
What Is the Ford EcoBoost Wet Belt Problem?
Ford's 1.0L EcoBoost engine uses a "Belt-in-Oil" (BIOCL) timing system. Unlike traditional timing belts that run dry, Ford decided to run a rubber belt directly in engine oil. The theory was that oil lubrication would make the belt last longer.
In practice, the opposite happened. The belt degrades in the oil, breaks apart, and contaminates the entire lubrication system. Oil galleries get blocked with rubber debris. The engine oil pump fails. And eventually, the engine destroys itself.
Which Fords Are Affected?
The wet belt system appears in most 1.0L EcoBoost engines built between 2012 and 2023. That includes the Ford Fiesta (2012-2023), Ford Focus (2012-2018), Ford Puma (2019-2023), and Ford EcoSport (2014-2022).
If you own one of these vehicles and haven't had the belt replaced yet, it's a question of when—not if—it will fail.
Symptoms of Wet Belt Failure
The first sign is usually an engine warning light or a noticeable loss of power. You might hear rattling or whining noises from the engine, especially when cold. Some owners report seeing coolant or oil contamination—oil that looks milky or has visible debris.
In severe cases, the engine fails completely. The belt disintegrates, the oil system clogs, and internal components seize. At that point, you're looking at a full engine replacement costing thousands of pounds.
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Your Rights Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015
If you bought your Ford from a dealer—any dealer, not just Ford main dealers—the Consumer Rights Act 2015 protects you.
Satisfactory Quality and Durability
Section 9 of the Act requires goods to be of satisfactory quality. That explicitly includes durability under Section 9(2)(c). A timing belt that fails at 20,000 or 40,000 miles—when it should last well over 100,000 miles—is not durable. It's a breach of contract.
The 30-Day Right to Reject
If the fault appears within 30 days of purchase, you have an automatic right to a full refund under Section 22. The dealer doesn't get a chance to repair it. You simply reject the vehicle, and they must collect it and refund you in full.
The 6-Month Presumption
If the fault appears within 6 months, the law presumes it existed when you bought the car. The dealer has to prove otherwise—which is nearly impossible with a design defect like the wet belt. After one failed repair attempt (or if repair would be too inconvenient), you can reject under Section 24 and get a refund, though the dealer may deduct something for your use of the vehicle.
After 6 Months
You can still claim after 6 months, but you'll need to demonstrate the fault was present or developing at the time of sale. For the wet belt, an independent mechanic's report confirming it's a known design defect—not something caused by your driving or maintenance—is usually enough.
Claims are possible for up to 6 years from purchase.
Why This Isn't "Wear and Tear"
Dealers often try to dismiss the wet belt as a service item or normal wear. That's nonsense. Ford marketed this as a maintenance-free timing system. It was supposed to last the life of the engine. Failure at low mileage is a manufacturing defect, plain and simple.
There are technical service bulletins from Ford acknowledging the issue. Online forums are full of failures. Some dealerships have even started proactively replacing wet belts under "goodwill"—which is code for "we know it's defective but don't want to admit it."
Finance Agreements
If you bought the car on finance—HP, PCP, or a dealer-arranged loan—rejecting the car automatically unwinds the finance agreement. You're not stuck paying for a broken vehicle.
You can also claim directly against the finance company under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. They're jointly liable with the dealer. If the dealer refuses your claim, escalate straight to the finance company.
How to Reject Your Ford EcoBoost
Start with a formal rejection letter. Don't phone them and don't rely on verbal conversations—everything must be in writing.
Your letter should state that you're rejecting the vehicle under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, cite Section 9 (satisfactory quality) and the appropriate section for timing (Section 22 if within 30 days, Section 24 if later), describe the wet belt fault and when it appeared, and request a full refund and collection of the vehicle.
Include evidence. An independent mechanic's report is the strongest—it should confirm the wet belt has failed or is failing, state that this is consistent with the known Ford EcoBoost defect, and clarify it's not caused by lack of maintenance. Also attach your service history proving you maintained the car, photos or videos of the fault or warning lights, and any communications with the dealer about the issue.
What If the Dealer Refuses?
Many dealers will push back initially. They'll claim it's wear and tear, offer a repair instead, or suggest you should have serviced it more frequently. Stand firm.
If they ignore your rejection or refuse it outright, escalate to the finance company if you bought on finance. File a complaint with the Motor Ombudsman if the dealer is a member (most are). Report them to Trading Standards. And if necessary, prepare a county court claim through Money Claim Online.
Most dealers settle before it reaches court. The law is clear, and they know it.
Real Case: 2018 Ford Fiesta EcoBoost
A customer bought a 2018 Ford Fiesta 1.0L EcoBoost from a used car supermarket in March 2024. The car had 28,000 miles. In May 2024—less than 3 months later—the engine warning light came on, and the car lost power. A diagnostic check revealed the wet belt was disintegrating.
Because the fault appeared within 6 months, the law presumed it was there when sold. The customer sent a formal rejection letter citing Section 24, attached an independent inspection report, and demanded a refund.
The dealer initially refused and offered a repair. The customer escalated to the finance company (the car was on HP). Within two weeks, the finance company accepted liability, arranged collection, and issued a full refund.
Total time from rejection to refund: 4 weeks.
What About Preventive Replacement?
Some owners choose to replace the wet belt before it fails—usually around 60,000-80,000 miles. Ford dealerships charge £800-£1,200 for the job.
If you've already paid for a preventive replacement on a car you recently bought, you can still claim that cost back from the dealer. The car wasn't of satisfactory quality when sold—it had a known defect requiring expensive preventive work. Send an invoice and request reimbursement under the Consumer Rights Act.
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Legal Disclaimer
This article provides general information about consumer rights under UK law. It is not legal advice and does not create a solicitor-client relationship. For complex cases or litigation, consult a qualified solicitor. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 applies to purchases from traders, not private sales.
Last updated: February 2025
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