I have just ordered a replacement belt for my Exige for the engine in the car, not the one I’m inspecting. The belt has arrived in an MG Rover OEM parts box. Surely that must be at least 10 years old and a waste of money changing the one on the engine for that one? I understand age life parts but that must apply if its on the engine or in a box on a shelf?
The quick answer is ‘not necessarily’. Ageing is far slower in storage than in use, if stored correctly. I believe belt manufacturers advise around 3 - 4 years? Also manufacturers have to support for a certain number of years (7, I think) after final production.
Does the belt or box have any codes? It is possible to ascertain manufacture date from the right one (I did this recently with a Gates belt, they were very helpful with date & location).
The supplier has told me it is made by xpart who supply spares for MG Rover and is new, though they come in old MG Rover boxes. Part number is a a Rover number not Gates. I can’t see any date marks.
I had a quick look at xpart’s website ( as I hadn’t heard of them ) and they appear to have originated as MG Rover’s parts division.
I would imagine they simply source parts rather than actually manufacture. You could try contacting them with any details on the belt as they should be able to check manufacture date from something on there.
As xpart are a current, operational company I don’t think I would have any concerns over the age of the belt though.
Turns out that xpart cambelts are made by Gates and xpart put them into MG-Rover boxes. That’s what EliseParts have told me and I have had years of good service from them and have no reason to doubt them.
They did offer me one with Gates written on it, but it would be the same.
Panic over!
Glad you’re sorted with it!