A5 timing belt - any problems and life expectancy?

[SportsCoupe]

I have an A5 which is 5 years old. The timing belt failed at 31,000 miles, was replaced and has failed again at 40,000 just 15 months later.

Has anyone else had a problem with the alternator belt on the A5 regarding repeated failure. What would people expect the lifespan of the belt to be usually, given that this is a low mileage car for its age?

[Jethro48]

Need a bit more info?
What engine do you have? How is the belt breaking? Who fitted the replacement belt and was it OEM?

[zollaf]

and you mention both timing belt and alternator belt, which one is it ?

[SportsCoupe]

Need a bit more info?
What engine do you have? How is the belt breaking? Who fitted the replacement belt and was it OEM?

3.0 TDi - It begins by shredding and ends up like spaghetti. It did this at only 31,000 miles originally. I was wondering if there was an ETA from Audi on life expectancy and whether anyone else had this issue. I note it appears to be a problem on other models?

[Jethro48]

I'm assuming it's not the timing belt but the fan/pulley belt at the front of the engine. Shredding usually occurs when one of the pulleys is malfunctioning. The other pulleys drive the belt and one pulley either seizes or runs slower then the others. I recommend getting a grease monkey to check it out! Water pump, fan, alternator are the likely suspects.

This is is not a common problem so you have something that's not quite right.

By the way, the 3.0L TDI is chain driven so no timing belt. Never needs changing, happy days!