Cambelt or chain?
Free check in Slough.
Send us your reg on WhatsApp and we will tell you straight whether your car has a cambelt, a chain or a wet belt, and when it is actually due. Honest answers from our Slough workshop. No nonsense. No hidden prices. Book in today.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.9 out of 5 from 500+ Google reviews. Trusted by drivers across Slough since 2019
- ✓6 months interest-free, up to £3,000
- ✓Same-day slots available in Slough
- ✓Free reg check, honest answers, no upsell
Does Your Car Have a Cambelt or a Chain?
Half the Slough drivers who message us about a cambelt actually have a chain. The other half have a wet belt and have never heard the term. The internet is full of wrong answers, and main dealers will quote you for a belt change on a chain engine if you do not push back. We will not. Send the reg, we will tell you straight, no charge.
We service every brand in our Berkshire workshop, so we know which engines hide a chain behind a cover, which use a traditional dry cambelt, and which use the dreaded oil-bath wet belt. Below is the honest summary, and the WhatsApp button gives you a free check on your specific car.
Common engines with a timing chain (no belt service needed)
- BMW most petrol engines from 2005 onwards (N20, N43, N46, N52, N53, B48). chain-driven. No belt service. Chain tensioners and guides can wear, that is a different job
- Mercedes M271, M272, M276 petrol. chain. Most diesels are chain too. Check before paying for a 'cambelt'
- Toyota and Lexus most petrols 2005+. chain. Hybrid Yaris, Corolla, Auris, Prius are all chain-driven
- Nissan Qashqai 1.2 and 1.6 DIG-T petrol. chain. Note the 1.5 dCi diesel uses a belt, that is different
- VW Audi 1.4 TSI and 1.8 TSI petrol. chain. Note 1.2 TSI, 1.0 TSI and all TDI diesels use belts
Common engines with a traditional dry cambelt (belt service required)
- VW Audi Skoda SEAT 1.9 TDI and 2.0 TDI. belt and water pump every 5 years or 80-100k miles
- Ford 1.6 TDCi and 1.8 TDCi (and 2.0 TDCi older). belt and water pump every 10 years or 100k miles
- Vauxhall 1.7 CDTi and 1.3 CDTi. belt every 8 years or 80k miles
- Honda 2.2 i-CTDi and 2.2 i-DTEC. belt every 10 years or 100k miles
- Peugeot Citroen 1.6 HDi. belt every 10 years or 100k miles (same as Ford 1.6 TDCi)
Engines with a WET BELT (different job, urgent if overdue)
- Ford 1.0 EcoBoost and 1.5 EcoBoost petrol. wet belt running in oil. Engine-killer if it shreds. Replace by 100k or 10 years, whichever first
- Peugeot Citroen DS 1.2 PureTech petrol. wet belt, exactly the same risk as the Ford. We see plenty of these in Slough
- Vauxhall 1.2 and 1.4 Turbo (PSA-shared). same PureTech-family wet belt. Often missed by owners who think it is a chain
- Ford 1.8 TDCi and 2.0 TDCi (older Mondeo/Galaxy). wet belt diesels. Most are well past interval now
How the free check works
Send your reg on WhatsApp with the words 'belt or chain'. We will look up the exact engine code on your specific car and reply with one of three answers: chain (no service needed), dry cambelt (here is the interval and price), or wet belt (here is the urgency and price). It takes us about 10 minutes and costs you nothing.
If you would rather speak to a person, call the Slough workshop on 01753 439115. We cover Slough, Langley, Colnbrook, Windsor, Maidenhead, Uxbridge and right across Berkshire. No upsells, no scare tactics, just the honest answer.
Where we are and who we cover
Free belt-or-chain check for drivers across Slough, Langley, Colnbrook, Windsor, Maidenhead, Uxbridge, Datchet and Gerrards Cross. Independent honest workshop in Berkshire, five minutes from M4 J5 at SL3 7EW.
Not sure what is in your engine? Call 01753 439115 or WhatsApp the Onyx Autocentre team on 07393 580281 with your reg and we will tell you straight, free of charge, from our Slough workshop. 01753 439115 or WhatsApp 07393 580281.
More on timing belt replacement: VW & Audi 1.9 / 2.0 TDI Cambelt + Water Pump in Slough · Ford 1.6 TDCi Cambelt Replacement. Slough · Vauxhall 1.7 CDTi Timing Belt Replaced in Slough · Honda Civic or CR-V Cambelt Replacement in Slough · Back to Timing Belt Replacement
Does Your Car Have a Cambelt or a Chain? in Slough and across Berkshire
Onyx Autocentre is based in Slough, Berkshire and we look after cars from across the SL postcodes every day. Whether you're driving in from central Slough, Poyleor Langley, we'll book your does your car have a cambelt or a chain? around your schedule. Same Slough workshop, same trusted team, same standard on every does your car have a cambelt or a chain? job.
All our services
Every service we offer at our Slough workshop. Tap a tile to find out more.
- Air Bag RepairsFind out more
- Alloy Wheel Crack WeldingFind out more
- Alloy Wheel RefurbishmentFind out more
- Alloy Wheel WeldingFind out more
- Auto ElectricsFind out more
- Body Kit FittingFind out more
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- Clutch ReplacementFind out more
- Diesel Performance ECU TuningFind out more
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- Dyno TestingFind out more
- ECU RemappingFind out more
- Engine DiagnosticsFind out more
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- Engine TuningFind out more
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- Gearbox ServicingFind out more
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- Head Gasket RepairsFind out more
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- MOT Failure RepairFind out more
- Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) Sensor RepairsFind out more
- Number PlatesFind out more
- Oil & Filter ChangeFind out more
- Parking SensorsFind out more
- Powder Coating for Alloy WheelsFind out more
- SteeringFind out more
- SuspensionFind out more
- Timing Belt ReplacementFind out more
- Trade Alloy Wheel RepairFind out more
- Turbo Intake CleaningFind out more
- Van Repairs & ServicingFind out more
- Vehicle SecurityFind out more
- Wet Belt ReplacementFind out more
- Wheel BalancingFind out more
- Window TintingFind out more
What Our Customers Say
Rated 5 Stars on Google by drivers across Slough and Berkshire
"Took my BMW here for an oil change and oil filter and the service was spot on. Really friendly team, got the car booked in quickly and the job was done properly with no hassle."
"Highly recommend this garage. After contacting a few other garages who didn't want to take my car in for diagnostics, these guys were happy to help. They diagnosed and fixed an engine fuel leak issue professionally and efficiently. Great service and very reliable. I'll definitely use them again."
"Very nice experience at Onyx — they took me in immediately and completed the DRL module swap efficiently. I have no regrets and would highly recommend."
"I brought my car to Onyx after visiting many other mechanics who failed to sort out issues with my vehicle. The mechanics here clearly explained the issues with the vehicle and fixed them quickly. Amazing service and wonderful people, highly recommend."
"These guys are always polite and welcoming. I've taken multiple vehicles here and the service received has been excellent."
"Had the front pads done here over the weekend. Second time in with Onyx and service has been top notch both times. On time, no hassle and cost effective. Highly recommend."
"Max and Ben are extremely professional and did an excellent repair on my wife's car at a great price. Max spotted the problem within 6 hours, which 2 other garages could not detect."
"I took my car to Onyx and met Ben who was friendly and I got the problem diagnosed by Ben which I had a faulty water pump. I was quoted a reasonable price and got it replaced. I was satisfied and would recommend Onyx."
"Great service, sorted out my alloy refurb at a good price and quick turnaround. Top service, highly recommend."
"A great experience with Onyx who fitted a new clutch for my Fiat 500. Super quick, friendly and well priced. Would highly recommend."
"Very friendly, no hassle effective service. Definitely recommend and will use when I need to get my alloy wheels refurbished."
"Brought my Audi S3 in for a coolant leak — the part was on back order but they managed to source one in a couple of days. Massive thanks to Ben."
"My vehicle went in for a brakes job and Ben and the team at Onyx Autocentre did an amazing job. Highly recommended."
Spread the cost over 6 months, interest-free.
Big bill? Pay the first instalment when you book, then spread the rest across up to 5 more monthly instalments, interest-free. Available on jobs up to £3,000. No setup fees, no hidden interest. FCA-authorised through Payment Assist, soft credit check, decision in minutes.
- ✓ Up to 6 months interest-free
- ✓ Available on jobs up to £3,000
- ✓ First payment at booking, rest split monthly
- ✓ Soft credit check, decision in under 2 minutes
- ✓ No setup fees, no hidden interest
Same-day slots are limited this week.
Call or WhatsApp now and get does your car have a cambelt or a chain? today. Slough, Langley, Colnbrook, Windsor, Maidenhead, Uxbridge and Gerrards Cross.