More than a coincidence?

[DetailMouse]

My car's been in the garage today, a minor thing dealt with under the warranty, the car is less than 6 months old.

When I've got it back it's telling me the key needs a new battery.

Now, it does seem a little far fetched to think someone might have a sideline in taking almost new batteries out of car keys, but surely it should last more than 6 months (and 3000 miles) and it's quite a coincidence that the warning appeared while it was in the garage? It wasn't there this morning.

How long should a car key battery last?

Mine is keyless entry so doesn't charge fob when it's in the car

I’ve got a newish VWand need to replace the battery in the key every 9 months or so!!
I buy them in packs of three for about £5

Sounds odd, like someone swapped the battery.

What will you do now?

I assume they have security cameras that can be checked..

I’ve just changed the one in my bmw fib after 4 years. Mimosa £1 for the batteries in the pound shop. No key fob battery costs £200. With that in mind I can’t see any reason whatsoever why the garage would Nick your battery.

As it happened the garage just called to "check everything's OK".

I said, as you asked.... and explained it was odd and also disappointing that it's failed so soon. She said sometimes it's just down to a faulty battery, we can change it for £10. The car's under warranty and you've said it could be faulty, why is it down to me? "It's only £10", which makes me see red, if it's only £10, it's only £10 to them too, but apparently they get too many to replace it for free!

I know it's a nonsense, but I'm temped to contact Ford I definitely won't be paying them £10, I've got a whole pack from Ebay in the kitchen drawer.

Whether "something" has gone on or not, it surely shouldn't have failed in a 6mo car.