I purchased a skoda fabia diesel 1.9 SDI 2002 from a dealer 2 weeks ago. Initially when I went to view it the battery was flat and the guy told me it was because it had been sat for a while. I returned about 3 weeks later to have another look and it went first time.

The car seemed genuine with FSH so I bought the car and drove it home. Later that day I drove to the shops and when I went to get back in the car and I turned the key the car wouldn’t start. All the electric windows/lights worked fine, but just a groaning noise with I attempted to start it. Some kind chap jumpstarted it for me and got it going although the power steering failed. I pulled up to a garage just up the road and the power steering started working again. The garage checked the battery and alternator and said both were fine. The car worked fine for another 2 days before the same thing happened and it wouldn’t start. The dealer came and collected the car. He attempted to jump start with his charger but it wouldn’t go this time so he bump started it up the road. He got it going but said that the car did cut out and he ended up towing it to his mechanic. He put a new battery in it and returned the car saying the problem was solved. 5 days later the car wouldn’t start again. The trader came back again, bought his jump leads round and managed to get it going. It is now sitting at the traders mechanics. The trader said it is starting first time every day and they can’t find any fault. No fault lights show up on the dash and they said they don’t know what to do about it. My neighbour is a mechanic and says he is 99% sure it’s the starter motor with a fault and says that the only way to be sure is to take it out for inspection. The trader just wants to continue to start it daily until the fault shows up but I have told him that I want the fault found. Does anybody have any ideas? I am very disappointed to say the least.

Many thanks .

If it bump started but then wouldn't run it isn't the starter motor. You don't say if the motor spins when it won't start. If it spins quickly but doesn't start suspect a fuel problem - air leak into filter or pipework possibly. The dealer should be able to pressure test the lines. Changing the fuel filter and clips would be easy and cheap. Less likely, but possible is a glow plug/relay problem. The plugs should work after starting for a while in cold weather and this could cause it to cut out after it had fired. Don't forget that you can have more than one problem and (as always!) only one broke the camel's back, but you need to put them all right before it will work properly - so you could have a poor starter motor problem as well as another problem. The dealer should work through the problem logically; just trying answers is not professional.

If it bump started but then wouldn't run it isn't the starter motor. You don't say if the motor spins when it won't start. If it spins quickly but doesn't start suspect a fuel problem - air leak into filter or pipework possibly. The dealer should be able to pressure test the lines. Changing the fuel filter and clips would be easy and cheap. Less likely, but possible is a glow plug/relay problem. The plugs should work after starting for a while in cold weather and this could cause it to cut out after it had fired. Don't forget that you can have more than one problem and (as always!) only one broke the camel's back, but you need to put them all right before it will work properly - so you could have a poor starter motor problem as well as another problem. The dealer should work through the problem logically; just trying answers is not professional.

Thank you very much for your reply. No there is no spinning sound, just a dull groaning noise when you try to start it. The trader wants to sit on it and wait for the problem to rear its ugly head. He has reluctantly agreed to take out the starter for inspection. He doesn’t seem to want to do anything more to the car to find out the fault. The trader said that after the car cut out and he towed it to mechanic, they put in the new battery and it started first time. Then 5 days later it won’t start again! It all sounds odd!

Thank you again for your reply. I will let you know how it all goes

its covered by his warantee i would guess.Tell him to find the fault and fix it as otherwise the car isnt fit for purpose.Give him a timeframe to fix it and if he doesnt then tell him you will be expecting a full refund or youll go to trading standards.Then go and buy another car that works as it should.

Dont take this the wrong way, but get a bit more assertive as it sounds like you are letting them mess you around without consequences.

Read this thead Here one of the symptoms is a Hugh draw on the battery which drains it faster than it can charge, thus a dead battery.

Edited 27 December, 201015 yr by stemcell

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Thank you very much for your reply.  No there is no spinning sound, just a dull groaning noise when you try to start it.  The trader wants to sit on it and wait for the problem to rear its ugly head.  He has reluctantly agreed to take out the starter for inspection.  He doesn’t seem to want to do anything more to the car to find out the fault.  The trader said that after the car cut out and he towed it to mechanic, they put in the new battery and it started first time.  Then 5 days later it won’t start again!  It all sounds odd!<br />

Thank you again for your reply.   I will let you know how it all goes<br />

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Dorothea - if you are still receiving these - what was the result?  My car is now showing these symptoms (dull groaning noise) and we've already had the glow plugs changed. Even if I jump it from another vehicle, I have to rev that vehicle and turn my own key for 20-30 secs.

Edited 20 February, 201214 yr by tchnorton