Hi all

I have a 60 plate 1.6 TDI A3 which has been having some starting issues recently, and I'm not sure what the issue is with.

It's happened more than once over the last month, I think mainly because compared to last year (because of the current situation) I'm only using it once or twice a week at the moment, compared to every day last year.

So I've come to start it a few times and the engine just won't start, won't even turn over. I've then disconnected the battery (assuming this was the issue), charged it and then it started first time no problem.

 

However last weekend I had to go on an 80 mile round trip for work, then didn't use it until Wednesday morning when I did my 10 mile commute to work and by Friday evening I had the same issue (wouldn't start).

Do we think it's a dodgy alternator, or the starter motor? The thing was when I plugged the battery back in it only took 10 minutes to "fully charge" after which the car started first time.

If the battery was dead it would normally take hours to charge.

Do I need a new battery?

Hello Rob, 

To answer your question - ‘Do I need a new battery’:- my answer would be, simply, do you have any good reason why you do not wish to invest in a good battery? 

You may know that the battery was renewed x years ago, the brand is good, so you don’t think it would be the battery which is at fault. If you don’t have any evidence which points to being able to eliminate the battery, then yes, invest in a new one. 

Invest is the operative word, so do so by only buying a premium brand such as Varta/ Bosch, making sure you buy their blue or silver topped versions, with a minimum of 4 years warranty. 

These can be bought on line, mail order, from specialists suppliers such as Battery Megastore, Tanya etc. I tend to buy off their EBay listings where you get them post free - usually next day delivery. Personally, I would not be tempted to buy any other make. 

Hope this helps. 

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

To answer your question directly, yes you need a new battery. The fact that it appears to recharge in 10 minutes is not a reliable indicator of condition because batteries can fail in several ways: internal short circuit, disintegration of the electrodes, loss of electrolyte etc. The only reliable test is the high discharge test (also known as a deep discharge test,) which few owners possess. A hand held voltage tester is no use at all.