Looking for advice on problem with car battery (ICE petrol)

tmh106

I drove to work yesterday morning. I noticed when I started the car it took slightly longer than usual for it to start, but I was not worried about this, I attributed it to the cold weather.

Car sitting in work car park all day. When I left work to drive home the car would not start. I suspected the battery, though things like headlights, radio, interior light etc. all working. I have breakdown assistance on my insurance, so I called them. I’m in Galway city and luckily they had someone close by. The breakdown person also thought battery and sure enough when they used their mobile charger the car started. I live in the city, only a few miles from work, so they advised that when I got home I should leave the car idling on the drive for about twenty minutes to charge the battery. I asked them would I need a new battery and they said I might not – they suggested going to Halfords to have the battery tested. I actually drove around the city for about 15-20 mins and then did leave it idling on my driveway when I go home. I haven't tried starting the car yet this morning, hoping it will start so I can bring it somewhere to be checked

The car is a VW Passat, ICE petrol, nearly 14 years old. I changed the battery once before on it, but probably seven or eight years ago now.

I’m posting here to get advice on the best thing for me to do now and also, some questions.

• I assume that I will need a new battery, but is the recovery person correct that I might not?
• Where is the best place to get this checked and get a new battery if needed. I was going to ring the garage who services the car for me,  but are Halfords or BestDrive a better option for something like this?
• Was the recovery person correct that leaving it idling would charge the battery – I assumed that the car would have to be driven to charge the battery.
• After this experience, I am thinking of buying a portable battery charger? Obviously I can google these, but anyone any advice on what would be best to buy and what kind of money I’m looking at for something decent?

Thanks for any advice offered. 

User1998

Its an 8 year old battery and the cold weather is setting in. Unless you want to get stranded again I would just get a new battery. Yes he is correct that leaving the car idle should charge the battery, but it shouldn’t have died in the first place, unless you left the car sitting for weeks. Even still a healthy battery should last well over a month without use.

Any mechanic can check and replace your battery, it doesn’t need to be Halfords or Bestdrive. You can go and spend €100+ on a portable jump start or you can just bite the bullet and buy a new battery. At least then you’ll have peace of mind for the next 8 years. This probably isn’t a one off occasion and will become more common for you as the cold weather sets in.

tmh106

Thanks @User1998 , pretty much thinking the same myself. Will call my garage to see if they can slot me in.

sundodger5

Sounds like a new battery to me.

On the leave it idling piece. If the battery was low enough to not start then that sort of short charge may work but it is rare particularly if driving in traffic and suspected faulty. Car batteries are not an expensive item. Get it changed and get the mechanic to just check that it is charging correctly afterwards.

tmh106

To close on this, it was the battery. Brought it to the garage that service my car, they tested it and result was replacement battery needed. Thanks to everyone who replied with advice.