Battery warning - where do I stand?
Discussion
Hi,
Just looking for some advice on a car battery issue.
Bought a 2021 Range Rover Evoque P250 in January from a main dealer. On hand-over day as we were leaving the dealer a ‘Battery low - start engine’ message flashed up on the dash. This was noticed by the sales rep, who said to bring it back if we continued to get this message.
The vehicle had only covered 6,000 miles from new, so imagine it was either stood for long periods for the previous five years, or only covered short stop-start journeys, which could explain a battery issue.
We’ve had the message on and off ever since when unlocking the car, usually after it’s been stood a few days. A few times the electronic tailgate has refused to open at the same time which we believe is related.
We’ve not taken it back to the dealer as it’s 200 miles away.
We had the battery checked today at a local independent Land Rover garage who said it would probably need replacing. So
contacted the original sales rep, who said they’d have to check whether it was covered under the warranty.
If they come back and say it isn’t, I’m wondering whether we would have a strong case for them replacing it at their expense anyway given that they were aware of it from the beginning.
Any advice appreciated.
Thanks
Just looking for some advice on a car battery issue.
Bought a 2021 Range Rover Evoque P250 in January from a main dealer. On hand-over day as we were leaving the dealer a ‘Battery low - start engine’ message flashed up on the dash. This was noticed by the sales rep, who said to bring it back if we continued to get this message.
The vehicle had only covered 6,000 miles from new, so imagine it was either stood for long periods for the previous five years, or only covered short stop-start journeys, which could explain a battery issue.
We’ve had the message on and off ever since when unlocking the car, usually after it’s been stood a few days. A few times the electronic tailgate has refused to open at the same time which we believe is related.
We’ve not taken it back to the dealer as it’s 200 miles away.
We had the battery checked today at a local independent Land Rover garage who said it would probably need replacing. So
contacted the original sales rep, who said they’d have to check whether it was covered under the warranty.
If they come back and say it isn’t, I’m wondering whether we would have a strong case for them replacing it at their expense anyway given that they were aware of it from the beginning.
Any advice appreciated.
Thanks
You should have not taken the car with a warning on the dash.
Batteries cause all sorts of issues, that warning should only come up if you are using auxiliary power without the engine running, it is a warning to start the car before you use too much power.
Its a battery, is buying one yourself, admitting you made a mistake, not worth the peace of mind and a battle you probably won't win ?
The car is telling you it needs a new battery, it didn't need diagnosis.
Batteries cause all sorts of issues, that warning should only come up if you are using auxiliary power without the engine running, it is a warning to start the car before you use too much power.
Its a battery, is buying one yourself, admitting you made a mistake, not worth the peace of mind and a battle you probably won't win ?
The car is telling you it needs a new battery, it didn't need diagnosis.
Doesitdrive said:
You should have not taken the car with a warning on the dash.
Batteries cause all sorts of issues, that warning should only come up if you are using auxiliary power without the engine running, it is a warning to start the car before you use too much power.
Its a battery, is buying one yourself, admitting you made a mistake, not worth the peace of mind and a battle you probably won't win ?
The car is telling you it needs a new battery, it didn't need diagnosis.
^^^^ Wot 'e said.Batteries cause all sorts of issues, that warning should only come up if you are using auxiliary power without the engine running, it is a warning to start the car before you use too much power.
Its a battery, is buying one yourself, admitting you made a mistake, not worth the peace of mind and a battle you probably won't win ?
The car is telling you it needs a new battery, it didn't need diagnosis.
Speak to the person who saw the issue when you were there & keep your fingers crossed.
5 yr old batteries could probably always do with replacing. Some people still change them at that age as a matter of routine.
What kind of use is the car having? You mentioned not using it for a few days - if it's just doing the odd shortish trip then it's going to struggle. Modern cars don't do much than float charge the battery, and some (all now?) have smart alternators that do things like only charge on the over-run etc.
What kind of use is the car having? You mentioned not using it for a few days - if it's just doing the odd shortish trip then it's going to struggle. Modern cars don't do much than float charge the battery, and some (all now?) have smart alternators that do things like only charge on the over-run etc.
This is a "least worst case" scenario:
1. Travel the 200 miles , with the accompanied time delays, possibly having to leave the car and make a return trip, to get the battery swapped over FOC. Yes the dealer must repair (or refund/replace the car) but they don't have to fund incidental costs.
2. Replace the battery yourself.
It seems fairly obvious that with the distance, option 2 is cheaper.
1. Travel the 200 miles , with the accompanied time delays, possibly having to leave the car and make a return trip, to get the battery swapped over FOC. Yes the dealer must repair (or refund/replace the car) but they don't have to fund incidental costs.
2. Replace the battery yourself.
It seems fairly obvious that with the distance, option 2 is cheaper.
Doesitdrive said:
You should have not taken the car with a warning on the dash.
Batteries cause all sorts of issues, that warning should only come up if you are using auxiliary power without the engine running, it is a warning to start the car before you use too much power.
Its a battery, is buying one yourself, admitting you made a mistake, not worth the peace of mind and a battle you probably won't win ?
The car is telling you it needs a new battery, it didn't need diagnosis.
As above you shouldn't have driven away they could have diagnosed it within 20 minutes.Batteries cause all sorts of issues, that warning should only come up if you are using auxiliary power without the engine running, it is a warning to start the car before you use too much power.
Its a battery, is buying one yourself, admitting you made a mistake, not worth the peace of mind and a battle you probably won't win ?
The car is telling you it needs a new battery, it didn't need diagnosis.
Did you get anything in writing regarding the fault before you left?
Are they part of a dealer group? They may have another one closer.
Now that you have taken the car expect to be paying for a new battery.
jonott said:
Hi,
This was noticed by the sales rep, who said to bring it back if we continued to get this message.
I'd get it back to them.This was noticed by the sales rep, who said to bring it back if we continued to get this message.
What if you replace the battery, and it turns out to be a fault somewhere else?
Dealer could easily blame whoever fitted the battery (worse case scenario I know)
And it's nothing to do with the dealer warranty, the fault was there when you collected the car.
Trevor555 said:
I'd get it back to them.
What if you replace the battery, and it turns out to be a fault somewhere else?
Dealer could easily blame whoever fitted the battery (worse case scenario I know)
And it's nothing to do with the dealer warranty, the fault was there when you collected the car.
They bought from a main dealer, if another main dealer in same network looks at it they should be fine and cover the warranty. What if you replace the battery, and it turns out to be a fault somewhere else?
Dealer could easily blame whoever fitted the battery (worse case scenario I know)
And it's nothing to do with the dealer warranty, the fault was there when you collected the car.
Then again, it's LR dealer, not lexus.
Pickle_Rick said:
Trevor555 said:
I'd get it back to them.
What if you replace the battery, and it turns out to be a fault somewhere else?
Dealer could easily blame whoever fitted the battery (worse case scenario I know)
And it's nothing to do with the dealer warranty, the fault was there when you collected the car.
They bought from a main dealer, if another main dealer in same network looks at it they should be fine and cover the warranty. What if you replace the battery, and it turns out to be a fault somewhere else?
Dealer could easily blame whoever fitted the battery (worse case scenario I know)
And it's nothing to do with the dealer warranty, the fault was there when you collected the car.
Then again, it's LR dealer, not lexus.
External damage? Water, mice, poor accident repair? All would invalidate a claim.
If the OP goes against what the dealer has suggested that wouldn't go down well in court for the OP
Something could easily be draining the battery, it's a LR
If the OP replaces the battery as his cost, and it turns out to be another fault, he probably won't get reimbused for the battery unless it was at the supplying dealers suggestions.
LR can be cans of worms, let the supplying dealer deal with it as they said they would.
Can you simply change the battery on these, or do you need some 'coding' or other plug-in activity?
A hundred quid for a new battery is just a running cost, but if that comes with £200 of labour it becomes an issue.
5 years is a short life for a battery these days, but the low mileage probably won't have helped.
Personally, if I could get the battery changed locally for say £150, I would just pay that, provided it didn't affect my warranty or CRA position.
So a phone call to the selling dealer to confirm that might be in order.
A hundred quid for a new battery is just a running cost, but if that comes with £200 of labour it becomes an issue.
5 years is a short life for a battery these days, but the low mileage probably won't have helped.
Personally, if I could get the battery changed locally for say £150, I would just pay that, provided it didn't affect my warranty or CRA position.
So a phone call to the selling dealer to confirm that might be in order.
Buy a Ctek and leave it on trickle charge. A Ctek is a useful thing to have in any event, so it’s hardly money wasted.
I’ve had something very similar on a couple of occasions. I suspect cars are left with interior lights on and possibly the ignition on whilst being prepped for sale. After a period of sitting idle on a forecourt.
I’ve had something very similar on a couple of occasions. I suspect cars are left with interior lights on and possibly the ignition on whilst being prepped for sale. After a period of sitting idle on a forecourt.
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