Car not starting, no breakdown cover?

onomatopoeia99

So the battery is now completely flat. Trying to start it will have drained the remainder of the charge from it. If the starter motor sounded like it was having a hard time when you tried to start it the last few days, this would be a sign of imminent battery failure or a charging problem.

If it was charging normally before (no warning light on the dashboard while driving) then there is a good chance that the battery has simply reached the end of its life, they do fail eventually and lose the ability to hold charge. A new one would sort it out in that case. Plugging it in to a battery charger and leaving it for a few hours might give enough charge for an attempt to start it again so you can move it off the road, if you have any off street parking.

If you don't know enough about cars to deal with a flat battery, seriously consider taking out breakdown cover which includes cover at home (most don't unless you pay extra).

BeenThroughItAll

onomatopoeia99 wrote: »

If you don't know enough about cars to deal with a flat battery, seriously consider taking out breakdown cover which includes cover at home (most don't unless you pay extra).

+1


Also, it is well worth learning enough to at least perform the simple task of changing a battery. At its most complex, the process is not really more than:

1. Remove covers/trim to access battery
2. Undo/remove negative battery clamp and pull off lead
3. Undo/remove positive battery clamp and pull off lead
4. Undo/remove clamp(s) holding battery to battery tray
5. Remove battery

Replacement being a reversal of this process. Maximum time elapsed, maybe 10 minutes, and likely tools perhaps a screwdriver, and probably a couple of sockets between 8-15mm in size depending on vehicle.


There are numerous videos on YouTube which will help you learn this stuff - and it's pretty invaluable. If you're not already, don't forget you should be checking some things like fluid levels and tyres on a regular (best weekly) basis.

jimjames

spira9 wrote: »

Yeah it's the 12 months membership but you only get the Roadside option which costs £27.99 online.

Most breakdown companies won't cover you for existing breakdowns unless you pay the higher premium as you've been quoted already. If they did then no-one would actually join and would pay whenever they break down.

Nodding_Donkey

Well the OP has left himself still needing the car looked at and a possible parking ticket to pay as well.

BeenThroughItAll

Nodding_Donkey wrote: »

Well the OP has left himself still needing the car looked at and a possible parking ticket to pay as well.

And all for the sake, basically, of knocking on a neighbour's door and saying 'alright mate, any chance you'd be able to give me a jump start? There's a pint in it for you'.

SailorSam

If you hanen't got any mates that will give you a jump start,. is there a neighbour. When i was on the Cabs we'd get calls to go and help out people with flat batteries and perhaps get a fiver, so before getting a mobile mechanic try phoning your local taxi office and see will any of the drivers help.

reddwarf2002

I suspect it is too late now, but you could have bought a jump starter (£37) - possibly cheaper than a fine plus you get to keep something useful for next time instead of ticket.

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/car-accessories/winter-essentials/winter-safety/booster-packs/?551777674&0&cc5_824

spira9

Okay so I got the parking ticket. He put it on my car at 2.30pm.. couldn't even let me off even though I put a note in the car explaining this.

I did want to buy breakdown cover yesterday but Greenflag convinced me not too! I did buy the cover today and they said it will be active by midnight. So I will call one out tomorrow if needed. I knew I should have bought the breakdown cover. I just never got around to it as I rarely drive the car and spend more time moving it about to avoid parking tickets than I do driving it.

I don't know whether to dispute the parking ticket or just pay the £35.

Norman_Castle

I don't know whether to dispute the parking ticket or just pay the £35.

Dispute it.

rich13348

spira9 wrote: »

I don't know whether to dispute the parking ticket or just pay the £35.

It is always worth a try not going to lose anything.