cam belt tensioner fail after 3 1/2 years?

At the mileage on the vehicle, it should not have failed.

no, timing belts and components should last 80 to 100k. do you have any warranty??

Roy

Unfortunately it's 6 months out of warranty. Skoda UK have said they will pay 70% as goodwill, dealership say new engine & fitting is £5320. 15 months ago the car was in off the road and I'm sure the dealership said it was a tensioner problem, now they are saying it was a "bearing saddle" fault. It was off the road for 5 days.

If it is a tensioner problem, it should not require an engine replacement. There should be something else that is wrong and since the vehicle had been regularly serviced by the dealer, you should be able to get them to give you a better goodwill on it.

they told me the tensioner had failed, therefore the timing etc etc. I'm in negotiations with the dealership & Skoda. Thanks for your replies.

Tensioner failed means the worse case scenario would be bent valves and that does not require engine replacement. Only the cylinder head repairs coupled with timing belt components.