Why is my car's battery losing charge?

I have a 2015 Golf 2.0 TDI that has done 35,000 miles and been serviced by Volkswagen since new. I've owned the car for 13 months. I've noticed the battery is losing its charge. It is normally driven on short journeys by my wife. However, for the past four weeks, it gets used twice a week because my wife is self-isolating. Any ideas why it's losing charge? My thoughts are power mirrors and stop-start have taken their toll, or alternator.

Asked on 20 April 2020 by Gemmstone

Answered by Dan Powell

Usual culprits of parasitic drawdown are the interior lights and radio. Make sure they are all switched off (including those in the glovebox and boot) before you disengage the ignition. Otherwise it may be the battery is on the way out. They usually have a lifespan of five or six years.

Tags: battery life

Similar questions

How much does replacing an electric car battery cost?

How much does it cost when an electric car battery goes bad or fails?

How can I tell the age of a car battery?

I want to know if the battery that's fitted to my 2015 Audi is original to the car, as a replacement is very expensive. It does not have an obvious date stamp on the top or sides, but I've been able to...

Is the stop start system in my Honda Jazz more trouble than it is worth?

I have some doubts about the benefit of this facility. Every time I come to a stop with foot held on the brake the engine stops and release the brake and the engine fires up. This means that the battery...

Related models