Is the Volkswagen Fox prone to timing belt snapping?

My timing belt snapped while being fixed by friend of a friend. He phoned saying it wouldn't start, could he have started it while in gear, or done something, as I'm now having to pay best part of £1k to get new timing chain.

Asked on 29 May 2015 by Kat

Answered by Honest John
The 1.2 3-cylinder is chain cam; the 1.4 is belt cam. 1.4 belts snap regularly because the timing belt tensioner pulley is plastic and fails.
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