Mito 1.4 8v question

[ric p]

I’m looking at getting a MiTo for my daughter as a first car. Ideally a 1.4 8v 78bhp version for insurance reasons. Most are now in the 70k plus mileage thus should have had a cam belt change. Many haven’t probably due to cost or ignorance. A £350 expense.

Is the 8v engine an interference engine like the 16v ones. Or safe to leave for a while so buy a better car? Can anyone give me the definitive staff answer to save my daughter’s pocket money.

Thanks in advance.

[Corky]

I hope this helps, I have just bought a 2012 1.4 Multi Air Mito with 41k on the clock, the slightly shoddy service history showed that the cam belt had been changed recently, I couldn't definitively prove it so I got it changed, good job as the cam belt was way past it's sell by date. I checked the Fiat forum and apparently it is not an interference engine, but I am no expert. I would change the cam belt unless you can be absolutely sure that it has been done recently. I really hope this helps your decision making, they are great fun cars.

[ric p]

Agree, just having an invoice doesn’t really prove anything. If you do it, you know it is done. However it is a good card to play when negotiating the price.

[GTVOX]

It is an interference engine but to be honest it's so simple that a cambelt and water pump shouldn't cost £350. I would expect around half that shop around.

[redandwhite]

I am currently selling my 95bhp , it’s not a £350 job , I have an invoice for mine for £100 (cambelt, tensioner, water pump).

Have you checked insurance? Mine is more expensive than my FN2 Type R!