Cam belt - life expectancy

[Stephen 24217799]

Ford Transit Connect - I have been advised that cam belts ought to be changed 150k miles. Putting the van into a Ford Garage at 128k miles I was advised that the belts should be changed and duly paid over the odds to have belts changed . 30k miles later the belt snapped and caused some catastrophic engine damage. Is there a way to check if belts had actually been changed (or was I ripped off) as I would have expected a replacement belt, the correct parts, fitted properly to last more than 30k miles. Ford garage say that repairs are only guaranteed 12 months... Ford UK say talk to the garage. I have a suspicion that belts may not have actually been changed at 120k.

[paul2012]

Welcome to the forum.

Details of your Connect would be helpfull (what year etc)

[Kenton]

Only way to tell is to look at the belt. If it looks new (will be fairly obvious to trained eye) then it has been an unfortunate failure. But if it looks well worn and thin, i would suspect you have been done and it was never changed. Normally it is done on age, or millage - whichever comes first. Check your manual or search on here to get details of belt life expectancy's.