How long did your battery last?

[jasonvaughan]

Hi guys, battery has just failed on 66 plate, 59,000 mile A6 Avant. I was expecting it to last a bit longer than 3 1/2 years to be honest as never changed a battery so soon ever before (and £350 for new one stings a bit!!!) Just wondering if I'm expecting too much and this is about right or if it's failed unusually early? What do you reckon?
Thanks

[Crasher]

Very early by modern standards, who says it has failed? At £1161.62, I hope the 48v battery lasts longer.

[jasonvaughan]

Thanks for reply Crasher. The recovery guy said it had failed due to over-charging caused by alternator issue. Then took it to Audi dealership and their diagnostic just said it had failed and nothing to do with alternator!?! I have 1 year extended warranty but battery not covered.

[Crasher]

What happens WHEN (not if) a faulty high speed charger damages you EV high voltage battery and other parts such as the charge controller, when the charger company and the cars manufacturer say it is the other companies fault? Who picks up the easily £30k bill on an in warranty e-tron? It is not a case of IF it will happen but HOW MANY TIMES? EV’s are a dead end solution...

[AndyN01]

It would make an interesting small claims court action. Nothing whatsoever to do with any warranty. I think you would, however, need an "expert" report on both the battery and the charging system to show exactly what has failed.

It would then be up to the Judge to decide if it's reasonable for it to fail given your particular circumstances, or not.

I think less than 5-6 years for a battery in normal use is pathetic.

Andy.

[FrenchAudi]

Lead-acid batteries tend to last longer if they are kept as fully charged as possible - ignore anyone who tells you they should be "cycled".

Our Audi is kept in the garage, and every time I park it there I plug in a little CTEC 0.8 amp automatic charger, which is permanently connected to the battery.

It's not really much of a chore, I did forget to disconnect it a couple of times, but it is connected to an extension cord, and continental plugs and sockets separate easily, so no harm done.

[Crasher]

I think less than 5-6 years for a battery in normal use is pathetic.

The warranty for the £30K e-tron battery is 8 years or just under 100k miles, then they wash their hands of it.

[jasonvaughan]

Thanks for all your replies and I have an update. I contacted Audi UK customer service today to see whether they would offer any goodwill and to my surprise they contacted the dealership and a)negotiated the price down from £350 to £300 and then b) gave me £250 goodwill gesture meaning my total bill was £50. A good result in my book.

[vwfaultfix]

Great News
I have been through the same issue.
New battery at just over 3 yrs.
Had 02252 generator issue and this was from 28000 miles.
At last got this fixed and the fault is not the Alt or batt but a faulty wiring loom cable going to the alt.
Thus always under charges and does not boost the AGM batt to correct voltage.
It is not repeat not the voltage regulator.
Hope the above helps people out happy motoring keep safe.