Hi all. Not posted for a while, all was going well with the octy. Well i say was.

Sunday when i tried to start the car it struggled to go, i just thought i may have left the radio or a light on.

Came to use the car today and pressed the button on the key fob and it only opened the boot. Finally opened the driver’s door, tried to start and nothing.

I had to jump start the car from the Mrs. trusted rover 25.

Then i tested the voltage on the battery and got 14.4v so i guess the alternator is sending the charge to the battery.

I then drove 20miles to the parents house turned the engine off then checked the amps 0.02A so i guess there is no electrical leakage. Then tried to start car again, and nothing.

Kind of thinking this is the battery at fault. Would a battery fail this quickly?

Please help

Sometimes a cell can fail in the battery which is enough to cause problems.

What year is the car?

2004 vrs!

this is the first time the car has let me down after 4 and half years of ownership.

If the batteries that flat then using alternator to charge it then it wont take charge,

Try slow charging it over night see if that helps

It could be the original battery, so 7 years isnt too bad if it is.

Not bad at all. Mine is on the original battery I presume (52 plate), but has only done 48k. I don't think it will make it through next winter though!

Mine may be original on 10 years old and 72k...any way of telling?

Thanks for all your replies.

I would say it is the original battery, i had the car just before it was 3 years old.

Car is only really used of a weekend now, dont know if that would have an effect on the life of the battery.and its always kept outside.

I suppose this winter has taken its toll on many cars.

My battery failed totally and instantly. I started the car, drove from my mother's house to home - about an hour. Parked the car, turned off and then decided I wanted to get it a bit closer to the kerb. Tried a restart and it was dead as a dodo. Jumped on a tube to Halfords, bought a new battery fitted it and all was well again. That was 7 years ago and my Halfords battery is still going strong.

Has the battery got the jacket and cover over it? This offers some protection against the elements,

Car is only really used of a weekend now, dont know if that would have an effect on the life of the battery.and its always kept outside.

That would be the killer for the battery - being left for long periods without use in the freezing cold.

If you can afford for it to fail again next weekend then I would remove the battery, check the battery acid is covering the 'plates' (if not top it up with de-ionized water) and then put it on a long slow trickle charge overnight, this may be enough to make it last a bit longer, but expect to replace it in the next year or so (probably next winter)

thankyou all will get a battery today

Any ideas what batters are best halfords list 2 a lead acid battery at £89.99 and a calcium battery at £99.99

No. 1 would IMO be a Varta

Try Euro Car Parts / GSF first as they will likely be much cheaper than Halfords.

Yeah, try a local battery specialist or a factors. Youll get more for your money.

Went to euro car parts in the end got an exide battery cost me £73.

I’ve been using my Octy at the weekend only for the last couple of months and was worried about the battery going flat due to the alarm/immobiliser drain, so invested in one of these...

Solar-Powered 12V 1.5W Battery Trickle Charger

Still early days but I’ve had no probs starting her so far.

Solar-Powered 12V 1.5W Battery Trickle Charger

Still early days but I’ve had no probs starting her so far.

Half price at the moment too.....

Or this with a bit more beef http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SOLAR-POWERED-PANEL-12V-2-4W-BATTERY-TRICKLE-CHARGER-/320675503273?pt=UK_Gadgets&hash=item4aa9bfdca9