How long should the car battery last with car stood up after just two weeks mine is flat to the point it won't start and after three weeks even the dashboard strugles to fire up

Is there a test the dealer can do to see if battery needs replacement

Yes the dealers will be able to check the battery to see if it is unserviceable. It should last a lot longer than the time you've had it. If you constantly do short journeys though, the battery might not be getting enough charge. Try taking it for a drive for an hour and see if the battery life improves?

Once a battery is flattened below a certain voltage it can be very difficult if not impossible to get them to accept any charge which means its a new battery.

Providing you haven't left anything switched on, or the alarm has been going off then a good battery should easily last three weeks stood.

I see you have an 08 Scout, I take it that the battery is it's original?

I too have an 08 Scout, we left ours at the airport for three weeks before with no issues.

The likes of the AA and RAC can check to see how much charge is in a battery so I imagine most dealers will have a similar device...

Mine is a 56 plate and leave at least a week without moving, and then only go short journey, once a fortnight take my mum out always starts 1st time. Original battery

yes original battery

do long jorneys with car just be sat for a couple of weeks as now have works van to use

had problems with alarm before and dealer has checked battery saying all ok

is it something covered under warrenty the car has 24000 on the clock and is less than 3 years old

How long should the car battery last with car stood up after just two weeks mine is flat to the point it won't start and after three weeks even the dashboard strugles to fire up

Is there a test the dealer can do to see if battery needs replacement

Hi. I hope this goes somewhere to answering your question:

All modern cars have a permanent drain on the battery, even when switched off. This power "drain" keeps the essential systems (E.C.U.s, various memories, alarm etc) "alive". I have a new Skoda Yeti and have measured the "drain" at 80 milliamps with everything turned off and the alarm NOT set. This is a pretty typical figure, though my son's BMW has a drain of 135 milliamps!!!

If you do the maths, that equates to a drain of approximately 2 amps per day / 14 amps per week and at that rate it will not be to long before sufficient discharge of the battery (assuming an average 60 Amp. Hr. battery) has taken place to prevent starting : two weeks = 27 amps - almost half the batteries capacity at new. Older batteries will not achieve their original rating and so will be discharged even sooner! Depending on your power drain, the age of the battery and its rated capacity - two weeks is not too bad for a modern vehicle.

Short runs, especially in winter (lights; wipers; heated windows / seats etc etc.), don't provide enough charge to the battery to maintain it. It's often the onset of winter that finds a weak battery. for every degree below about 5 deg a significant percentage of battery capacity is lost, and that is why you see so many people having trouble starting on winters mornings!

Most owners handbooks refer to the disconnecting of the battery if you intend not to use the vehicle for extended periods (usually defined as two / three or more weeks) and advise that owners should carry out certain safety actions when bringing the vehicle back on line (reconnecting or charging the battery after it has gone flat). These often include resetting traction control, power window closing pressures etc.

You can avoid the necessity of disconnecting the battery by hooking up a small float charger to the battery whilst it is still connected to the vehicle. Not a normal battery charger, as this would possibly lead to overcharging if left connected for an extended period). The Float type charger is designed to maintain a good level of charge on a battery and they are not usually used for "Charging" a flat battery.

Anyway, after all that I hope that this is only a glitch, and that your battery is OK!!! (By the way - most tyre depots also supply batteries and will usually load test your battery for free)

Hope this helps. Happy and safe motoring!.............THE GREAT YETI

yes original battery

do long jorneys with car just be sat for a couple of weeks as now have works van to use

had problems with alarm before and dealer has checked battery saying all ok

is it something covered under warrenty the car has 24000 on the clock and is less than 3 years old

I would expect a battery to last at least 3 years ring the dealer or skoda GB to see if you are covered, i would have thought so

car is off to dealer tommrrow they have to do lots of tests on battery etc but if faulty will be replaced under warrenty

thanks for all your replies