Any mechanic mumsnetters around?

[AlohaMolly]

I know I’m probably going to have to call an actual mechanic out BUT

I have an 06 plate Volkswagen polo that was MOT’d in October. Drove fine on Saturday, has petrol , haven’t left lights on over the weekend etc.

I tried to unlock it first thing this morning to get DS’s coat and only the front locks unlocked (central locking.) I’ve just tried to drive to the shops in it but it won’t turn on at all. No sign of life when I turn the key, engine doesn’t even try to turn over and no sash board lights. I’m going to try jumping it when DP gets out of bed, but I have a feeling that isn’t the problem!

Anybody amongst you fabulous lot have any ideas? It’s three weeks before Christmas and I’m supposed to be traveling to see my mum for only the third time this year on Friday, and it will only be the second time for DS

My guess would be battery.... It depends on the length of your recent journeys, but it was chuffing cold in most places last night. An old battery won't like that!

Keep jump leads in the car. Go for a long drive to try and charge the battery (though it might be the early warning signs that the battery isn't taking the charge as it should).
Be aware that repeatedly jumping will further reduce the battery life.

A garage should be able to tell you what the battery is like fairly easily.

It was only a 40 minute round trip on Saturday, 2 x 20 minutes, but I drove to work Thursday and Friday which is 2 x 50 mile round trips! Plus a supermarket run.

It’s definitely cold here, I’m in a village at the foot of a mountain and there’s snow on’t tops!!

Brrrrrr.

Sounds like you're not killing it with regular short journeys.

See how long it takes to jump. You might need to leave it connected for a while (or rev the donor engine).

DP has a big white van so hopefully we can jump it ok!

Thank you for your advice, MN to the rescue again

Sounds like the battery - it could also be the alternator, but when mine went the electronics were a bit funny in the week before.

If you have a battery charger or can borrow it, then put it on charge for a good long time

Do you have AA homestart or similar they will come out and start you and identify problem. Agree its likely to be a battery, if you can get to a europarts or get them to deliver use the code on the website at the moment it's mid60 that knocks 40% off the price shown.
Round here greater manchester there is a network of garages where they can arrange fitting for around 15.00/20.00 if you can't fit it yourself.
Alternatively halfords will fit batteries at many of their stores for around 20.00 if you have one nearby.
I'm sure other garages have the same

It’s most likely the battery.

First real cold snap always kills a weak battery. You won’t have been the only one this morning in this predicament

Sorry its eurocarparts not europarts.
Autocorrect failure

It’s your battery, cold weather will kill an old battery, if it’s your original battery from 06 it’s definitely the issue

So many people saying battery, thank you!! DP didn’t wake up till gone lunchtime so we haven’t tried it yet but fingers crossed that’s what it is!