Fiat 126 alternator belt replacement, made easy

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How much does a alternator belt replacement cost for Fiat 126?

A typical alternator belt replacement in the UK costs around £39 - £61. Depending on your Fiat 126 engine, and whether you live in a big city or a small one, the price of a alternator belt replacement on your vehicle can be higher or lower. We computed prices for some of the best-selling cars in the UK in order to give you an idea of how much does a alternator belt replacement costs.
Car modelFixter price range
Alternator belt replacement for Fiat 126£39 - £61
MOT for Fiat 126£25 - £39
Car service for Fiat 126£99 - £156
Front brake pads replacement for Fiat 126£62 - £97
Rear brake pads replacement for Fiat 126£62 - £98
Front brake discs replacement for Fiat 126£105 - £164
Brake discs and pads replacement (rear) for Fiat 126£97 - £153

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Our expert insights into alternator belt replacement

What does an alternator belt do?

The alternator belt’s job is to transfer power from the engine crankshaft to various other components; these include the alternator (of course), the air conditioning and the power steering.

What are the symptoms of a malfunctioning alternator belt?

Below are the top three symptoms that could indicate you need an alternator belt replacement:

  • A squeaking sound from under the bonnet when you start your engine, or a high-pitched squeak while the engine is running.

  • If your car stalls regularly, or the engine refuses to turn over, it could be down to a slipping or broken alternator belt.

  • If you feel your car’s steering is heavier than normal, this could be due to a lack of power transferred to the power-steering system, and could also be down to the improper performance of your alternator belt.

What happens during an alternator belt replacement?

Our certified mechanics will:

  • Visually inspect the alternator belt for signs of wear, tears and cracks.

  • Check the alternator belt's pulleys and tensioner.

  • Replace the belt, if necessary.

  • Check related parts and advise if any other repairs are needed.

Daniel, from LondonDaniel, from London

Hey Fixter, how long should an alternator belt last?

A simple rule of thumb for the lifespan of an alternator belt is around 3–4 years. It should be inspected during your vehicle service or whenever you have an oil change.

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Upfront, fair pricing, with free collection & return and no hidden costs. Our in-house experts will then choose the ideal garage to work on your car.

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Our in-house experts will keep you updated, and your card is only charged once all work has been satisfactorily completed and approved by our team. Your driver will then drop the car back when it’s convenient for you.

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I would definitely recommend this company: knowing someone was keeping an eye on everything to make sure I wasn't being overcharged for parts and labour takes a lot of stress out of having the work done. I felt really well looked after. Thank you Fixter.

Kathleen Hodge, West Yorkshire

Excellent service

Excellent service. On time to pick up my car & drop it back. Full service cost £179, main dealer quoted me £700-lots different!

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Just had my MOT done through Fixter for the first time. It took about 5 minutes of my time in total to book, hand over the key, and get it back when the car was returned. So I was able to carry on looking after my 2 year old. Total game-changer!

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Can't get more convenient than someone turning up, taking the car from the house for its MOT and returning it a few hours later. No having to drive to a garage (often miles from anywhere or in the middle of an industrial estate) or hanging around waiting.

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Want to learn more about Fiat 126 alternator belt replacement?

What does an alternator belt do?

An alternator belt is known by many names including the drive belt, v-belt or a serpentine belt.

Alternators are responsible for sustaining the charge of the battery so that it can power the electrical components of the vehicle. Without this key piece of equipment, the battery would die after only a short amount of driving. When an alternator is actively charging the battery, it must be constantly spinning. This spinning is made possible by the alternator belt which runs from the pulley on the alternator to the crankshaft.

The alternator belt does a very specific job and without it, the alternator cannot provide the constant charge the battery needs when the car is running. The alternator belt also drives the range of ancillary components used by the vehicle, which can include the car's power steering, air conditioning compressor, water pump and in some cases, the cooling fan. In most cars, if the water pump and oil pump are left to fail or malfunction, it can lead to severe or fatal engine damage.

Made of rubber, the belt is prone to deterioration over time, and due to its position next to the engine, excessive heat and general wear will lead to a brittle drive belt that is prone to cracking. It’s an essential part of the healthy running of your engine, so it’s imperative it’s in good condition.

Fiat

Fiat Automobiles is the largest car manufacturer in Italy, originally established over 100 years ago in July 1899, and is a subsidiary of FCA Italy (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles).

There are around 890k Fiat cars on the road in the UK. Their popularity as a modern car supplier grew through the 1990s and peaked around the current number in the mid-2000s, where it has remained constant over the past 10 years.

As a long established and easily recognised brand, a large part of their success can be put down to their historical models and retro styling.

Attractively priced fun and funky cars

Fiat is renowned for providing unique styling associated with Italian car design, yet without the hefty sports car price tag.

The Fiat 500 is possibly one of the most easily recognised cars in the world and a true piece of iconic car culture. Despite looking virtually the same as it did at its introduction in 1957, the latest model featured over 1,800 updates to its previous version, making sure it stands its ground in a modern car buyer’s market.

Colourful cars for colourful people

When you visit Fiat’s website, you’ll be presented with bright, punchy colours and slogans, suggesting a younger feel and a driving culture based around a carefree life in the now. Riding the on-going success of the 500 and their strength in the city car market, Fiat has added the 500L and 500X to their current range; mini SUV and MPV offerings that build on the styling and popularity of the 500. And why wouldn’t they? It’s a smart way to break into new markets with a trusted and recognisable brand.

How often does an alternator belt need replacing?

The average lifespan of an alternator belt is around 3-4 years, but can vary depending on how much you use your car. Heat from the engine can also make the alternator belt deteriorate more quickly, causing it to crack and tear. As the belt is constantly spinning, it can also become loose and won’t function properly.

What happens during an alternator belt replacement?

Our certified mechanics will:

  • Visually inspect the alternator belt for signs of wear, tears and cracks.

  • Check the alternator belt's pulleys and tensioner.

  • Replace the belt, if necessary.

  • Check related parts and advise if any other repairs are needed.

What causes an alternator belt to break?

Alternator belts are made of rubber, therefore the belt is prone to deterioration over time. Additionally, due to its position next to the engine, excessive heat and general wear will lead to a brittle drive belt that is prone to cracking and splitting. It plays an essential role in the healthy running of your car, so it’s imperative it’s in good condition.

When should an alternator belt be replaced?

Typically the lifespan of an alternator belt is around 3–4 years. It should be inspected during your annual vehicle service or whenever you have an oil change.

What are the symptoms of a broken alternator belt?

Usually, there a few signs you can look for:

  • A squeaking sound from under the bonnet when you start your engine, or a high-pitched squeak while the engine is running.

  • If your car stalls regularly, or the engine refuses to turn over, it could be down to a slipping or broken alternator belt.

  • If you feel your car’s steering is heavier than normal, this could be due to a lack of power transferred to the power-steering system, and could also be down to the improper performance of your alternator belt.

  • If any of your vehicle’s accessories stop working or the headlights and interior lights flicker or operate much dimmer than usual.

How to replace an alternator belt on your car?

To carry out an alternator belt replacement you must:

  • Open the bonnet and visually inspect the alternator belt for signs of wear, tears and cracks.

  • Check any parts connected to the alternator belt, such as pulleys and the belt tensioner.

  • Replace the belt, if necessary.

  • Check related parts and components to see if any other repairs are needed.

Can you drive with a bad alternator belt?

You should stop driving your car if you think there may be a problem with your alternator belt. Your alternator belt might not look like one of the most important components of your engine’s operation, but the role of every car’s drive belt is paramount to the healthy performance of your car’s engine.

What happens if you don't change a broken alternator belt?

Failure to spot when your alternator belt needs replacing or when it’s not quite performing up to scratch can ultimately lead to a seized engine brought on by a failed water pump or another integral part of the system. Therefore in order to save money in the long-run you should have your alternator belt replaced as soon as you think it may be failing.

Do alternator belts deteriorate with age?

Yes, because the belt is made from rubber it does wear out over time. The average lifespan of an alternator belt is around 3-4 years, but can vary depending on how much you use your car. Heat from the engine can also make the alternator belt deteriorate more quickly, causing it to crack and tear. As the belt is constantly spinning, it can also become loose and won’t function properly.

Common questions about booking at Fixter

Common questions about booking at Fixter

Who is going to drive my car?

All of our drivers are fully insured and your vehicle is always protected.

We put our drivers through rigorous vetting and training before they are able to drive your vehicle. All of our drivers must have at least 3 years of driving experience, hold a clean driver's licence, be over the age of 21, capable of driving both manual and automatic vehicles and pass a criminal background check.

Your vehicle will be assigned to a driver who is responsible for collecting it from your home, delivering it to the garage and returning your vehicle once all work is completed.

Sometimes we might coordinate with a garage for them to send their own driver to collect your vehicle. In this instance, you are protected as you would be if it was a Fixter driver. 

What garage will my car go to?

One of our in-house mechanics will factor in the make and model of your car, as well as the work that needs doing. They will then allocate your booking to the most appropriate Fixter garage in your area, and we’ll email you to confirm.

Here’s why only 1 in 20 garages pass our selection criteria:

  • We only choose garages registered as a Limited Company, with a minimum of 3 years of trading.

  • We assess each garage's various established affiliations (e.g. Bosch / Unipart / Garage).

  • We perform an online audit: Fixter only selects garages with at least a 4 star customer rating.

  • We make sure to visit each garage in person. Our in-house mechanics evaluate the quality of equipment, staff qualifications, capacity, and technical capabilities of selected servicing centres. Fixter only works with garages which strictly use manufacturer-equivalent parts.

  • After all requirements are fulfilled, we negotiate preferential terms with each selected (including parts, labour, oil, and MOT test rates), so we can pass it along to our customers.

What parts will be used?

All parts used in repairs and services carried out by Fixter are either manufacturer parts or equivalent. This guarantees that only the best quality parts are used in your vehicle. We offer a 12-month warranty, meaning that should anything should go wrong with the parts or labour we’ll take care of it, free of charge. 

How and when do I pay?

We take your card details when you book online, but nothing is charged to your card until all the work has been approved by our in-house experts, and satisfactorily completed.

No extra work will be carried out without your consent. If additional work is required, one of our in-house experts will call you to walk through any diagnostic reports, recommendations or additional quotes from the mechanic working on your car. We check every quote to make sure the work is required and has been fairly priced.

Note: If you need to update your payment details to pay for your booking, the team will send you a secure link to add the new card details.

How does the money back guarantee work?

If your car fails its MOT at one of our garages, but you believe that your car should have passed, you'll have the option to take your car to another garage to do a new MOT test. If your vehicle passes the MOT at another garage, we’ll refund you for the original MOT test that you carried out with us. Collection and delivery fees are non-refundable.

How does the Fixter 12-month warranty work?

All Fixter bookings are covered by a 12-month warranty on parts and labour.

If there’s a problem (with either parts or labour) up to 12 months after your booking date, we’ll sort it out for you, completely free of charge.

Just email support@fixter.co.uk or call our team on 0330 808 9527 and we’ll take care of it.

Note: this doesn't apply to an air con regas as leaks can occur at any time.

Can I cancel my booking?

We understand that things change.

If you need to cancel or change your booking, please let us know asap. Our agents spend time finding you a top-rated garage, which is then booked to take care of your vehicle. In many cases, parts are ordered in advance. As a result, we operate a 72-hour cancellation policy. If you have a confirmed booking with us and need to cancel within 72 hours of the appointment, a cancellation fee of £20 may be applied.

We want to avoid that so our agents will work with you to try and find a new appointment instead. To discuss changing or cancelling a booking, please email or phone on 0330 808 9527.

Our team works Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.

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