Tiguan starting fault

Our Volkswagen Tiguan is just one year old and has 7000 miles on the clock. Recently, the engine would not start after being left overnight in the garage. The starter motor engaged then immediately disengaged as all the dashboard lights went out.

The lights came on again immediately and the starter motor engaged again and this cycle repeated itself several times, but the engine did not start. The car was then bump started and fired up immediately. The starting fault then disappeared and would start normally.

The battery voltage was 12.4 volts at the time and both battery and starter motor appear to be OK. Our local Volkswagen garage cannot replicate the fault and say there is nothing they can do. What should we do next?

Asked on 6 October 2014 by David Battye

Answered by Honest John
This reads as if the starter ring on the flywheel has lost a few teeth, leaving nothing for the starter motor pinion to engage on when the ring is in that position.
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