I'm in a situation where I don't know if I should change my battery or not? I have a 1.4 16V Fabia 2001. I bought it second hand last June so I don't know if it's been replaced before or not.

I was out last weekend and had a picnic in the car with the missus (it was raining)! Just listening to music thru the car (no engine just off batt) and when we went to leave it was dead!!

Surely the battery should be able to cope better than that? Even yesterday I was listening to music for 10 mins and it struggled to start again?

Whatcha think?

Thanks, Jon

Yup, change it. IMHO if it's stryuggling to start the engine then time for a change.

I wouldn't want mine letting me down somewhere inconvenient.

Thanks Jonny. From cold it's fine if I haven't been doing anything with it. No probs. Only when I've listened to a bit of music off battery first. How long should the battery last? I know it's a bit of a nonsense question because it depends on the amount of drain - but just an idea?

I changed mine about 6 months ago 2003/03 Fabia. I noticed trouble starting and realised i'd left the phone charger on in the car for about 2 days.

It then died completely.

Get the best battery you can... the most 'cranking current' , 'Amps' and also, the biggest batt that will fit in the right place.

Its worth having a good battery.

I could drive my Rover Mini on the starter motor 'cos of the battery... Got a bit warm tho