The Car Edition crew do not hold back when it comes to working on timing belts. This fearless gang of mechanics has no hesitation in calling out the worst offenders among car manufacturers when it comes to repairability and reliability. After all, they work on vehicles from all manufacturers—but the brand that attracts the most criticism is Ford.

Yes, Ford—the company that developed a wet-belt timing system primarily to comply with current emissions standards. The problem, as Car Edition repeatedly discovers, is that the wet belt, which runs lubricated in engine oil, degrades over a relatively short period of time.

The reason is simple. The wet belt is made from synthetic elastomers and rubber, which absorb oil like a sponge. Over time, the belt swells, weakens, and eventually begins to disintegrate.

So why are we talking about Ford when the vehicle in question is a VW Amarok?

The answer is simple. The VW Amarok is built on the Ford Ranger platform. Essentially, all Volkswagen has done is restyle the Ranger to look like a VW. The Amarok’s engineering is entirely Ford-based, meaning it is prone to the same wet-belt issues.

Uninfluenced by the pressures of car manufacturers, The Car Edition doesn’t mince words as they replace the Amarok’s wet belt. It’s a time-consuming procedure, without a doubt—and one that highlights the real-world consequences of this controversial design choice.