Anyone know about car batteries?

[FluffyRabbitSocks]

I have a one year old 4x4 SUV which has started to struggle to start, by struggling it hasn’t jumped to life when the start button is pressed it’s laboured for a couple of seconds, daylight running lights flickered then it started up. I rang the dealer who booked it in for a months time (soonest they had). Yesterday morning it wouldn’t start, called the manufacturers roadside assistance who jump started the car with a battery pack left the car idling for 20 minutes while they checked for error codes/faults on the computer only one was low power source. They tested the battery which was charging normally but the computer said it needed replacing as not holding charge well and then I was advised to drive it for at least 45 minutes on the motorway, which I did. Unfortunately I can’t go to Halfords etc as it’s a dealer exclusive battery, collecting a battery from the dealer and having it fitted elsewhere would void the warranty apparently. This morning 5 days later it once again wouldn’t start, we had a repeat of above, is there anything else I can do to help keep the battery charged? The car is driven 35 miles a day on average over 3 trips. I have rang and asked the dealership if they have had any cancellations can fit me in etc and they’ve said no keep calling roadside assistance until your appointment, I’m not impressed with this, they also advised we can not jump start the car ourselves because that would also void the warranty as we could damage the car’s electrical system.
Thank you

35 miles a day should be ok, but are you crawling through traffic, stop start or on the motorway?
May need a new battery….

I was told driving around towns is no good whatsoever, they need a really good run.

Obviously it shouldn't be doing that but also suvs are not town cars either for pottering around.

I'd get it started drive, to the dealership and demand a courtesy car til yours is fixed. Bet its fixed within a week.

@Suzi888 a mix of A roads (60mph) and B roads (40-60mph). Yes I definitely do need a new battery just wondering how to keep this one going until they can fit me in on 9th March. It’s just frustrating the dealer has no availability until then.

I thought you didn't have to go to a main dealer to keep the warranty as long as official parts were used. It's in contravention of competition law otherwise.

I'd be very disappointed/annoyed for a one year old battery to need replacing. Will they do this for free when they can finally do it? Googling suggests that a car battery should last 3 to 5 years.

RAC tested my battery the other week after it was dead, and confirmed the battery needed urgent replacement. I had to sign RAC paperwork to say I understood they would charge me if I called them out again for the same battery being dead (they noted its numbers). I phoned the local garage, the RAC chap got it started and I drove it straight there for replacement. 5mins to fit it, they had one on the shelf. £110 later, job done.

Phone your dealership and tell them they are taking the piss. I'm astounded your recovery company will put up with this - note they might pull your policy/cover for misuse.

@CombatBarbie unfortunately we need the AWD function as live at the bottom of a steep hill in rural Shropshire and a normal 2 wheel drive can’t make it up in ice/snow. I might try just turning up and see what happens, they might be slightly more helpful if there are people there interested in buying a new car.

Ring back the dealer, I would ask if you can be put on a cancellation list or called if a slot comes up. Explain the battery is dying constantly if you haven’t already.

If you have a driveway or a power point nearby, you can charge it on the drive.

www.halfords.com/motoring/battery-maintenance/battery-chargers/

Doing lots of short journeys, especially in winter when you have lights, heater, etc going ruins batteries unfortunately.

I have a small car that only gets driven once a fortnight to 3 weeks. I keep a trickle charger for the odd times it goes too flat and won't start.

@RedCarsGoFaster It’s not my personal Green Flag Policy I used and this is the maleness it’s the manufacturers national customer car roadside assistance. So their own manufacturer trained mechanics and still they won’t allow them to charge the battery on the drive, apparently the battery has to be synced with the cars computer and that can only be done at the dealer. I know nothing about cars so they could possibly be telling complete nonsense. I did ring Kwickfit and Halfords and they both said they can’t get a battery for the car as it’s coming up dealer exclusive on their systems.

@FluffyRabbitSocks definitely go in and speak to them , preferably in the show room. I had a similar issue, although only 2 days after taking delivery of a brand new car in 2008, I too was fobbed off. Sadly for them, the showroom and service desk were not separated by a wall… and my voice is one that can be heard at the back of a concert hall without a mike thanks to a childhood spent on farms calling for lost animals. I got a new battery fitted free of charge there and then. Polite assertiveness!!

And yes the battery and fitting should be covered under warranty, the battery warranty is only 3 years 36,000 where as the rest of the car is 6 years 100,000 miles. I would happily go and pay elsewhere though to get it sorted as the stress of not knowing if it will start to go collect the dc from school (20+ mile round trip) is stressful.

Yeah just take it to the dealership, I've done this before with a land rover. Had it back within 2 days. And had an evoque whilst they sorted mine. Loud voices in public work! Warranty jobs are always fobbed off!

Given update on driving fast A/B roads yeah it def shouldn't be gone already!! I assumed (wrongly) you were town driving not getting past 40.

I had a 2019 Qashqai prior to my current car. Bought brand new. All good until we went on holiday and car wouldn't start on our return (car ten days old). RAC came out and got car started, but informed me battery was defective. That was on a Saturday. Took my car to dealer first thing on Monday and after checks I drove away with replacement battery.

OP, I'd get back onto you dealer or look for another branch. You should not have to struggle over this on a new, or any, car.

And as said, replacing the battery cannot, and will not, void your warranty as long as it's an approved model. That is not allowed.

And finally..stay away from Kwikfit and Halfords. Surprised KF didn't blame your issues on your exhaust

If you have the car on finance contact the finance company as they own the car till finance paid in full. Get them on board to push the dealership.

Can you go to another dealer eg in another town? As long as it's the brand dealer the warranty is valid