Daytonapaul

I’m sorry to hear of others having an issue like mine. My dealer has had my car for 81 days. They are trying to update the infotainment system. They never believed me that the problem was from day one of getting the car. I’m afraid you may have to get in touch with Audi UK. They have taken up my case, so I’m a little more hopeful. The dealership still says they are waiting for Germany to help them. Director Audi UK andrew.doyle@audi.co.uk I hope your issue is sorted out quicker than mine. Good Luck. regards Paul Casserly.

Thanks for your support Paul

Yes, work done under warranty

Had a long talk with the dealership manager and he agreed that I could not have caused the battery to fail. He assured me that the replacement battery is a new one and he will give the car a complete check over so I can be confident that the problem won't happen again. Thanks for the support Paul

Thanks I will Paul

Thanks for replying Gareth. I was thinking the same thing about the battery. I feel that this won't get resolved until I go to the dealership and demand to speak with someone senior. This sort of thing does stress me but sitting back and doing nothing makes me anxious about the car breaking down again. Wish me luck. Regards Paul

Hi Gareth, I'm happy to give you a day by day account of events. Saturday 17th July I had my new car 18 days. Travelling around the south circular, at Clifton's roundabout the screen said Battery Discharging. Two minutes later at the Yorkshire grey roundabout the car shut down. After several attempts to restart her the screen said Start car with key. It started and I headed for the dealership not far away. Up to this point there had been no warning lights or messages. At the dealership I was told that the service department was closed and I should try and get the car home (8 miles away)and phone the AA. I got home and rang AA. He could only manage to clear the fault lights and said it would need to go to the dealership. I then had Audi assist who had similar advice. They arranged for the RAC to take the car to the dealership. Same one I got the car from and had been to on the Saturday. Five days later the dealership rang me saying that they had replaced the battery and car was ready to collect. When I got there I was handed the keys and a letter by a receptionist. Happily I had my car back and drove home. Expecting this had been repaired on warranty I was shocked to open the letter and find the bill for a new battery and labour charge. I tried several times to talk to the dealership but could not get past the service reception who said I had damaged the battery by not driving the car enough, apparently modern cars have a lot more electrics and take longer to charge. I contacted Audi uk who said they will contact the dealership on my behalf. I'm still waiting for someone to get back to me. Regards Paul

Hi, the problem is that my 18 day old car broke down and they would not fix it under warranty. I got a bill for a new battery and labour costs. I still don't know why my car battery died after 18 days and so I'm concerned that the problem can happen again. Regards

Hi Gareth Sorry for the confusion. The recovery technician read my battery which read a drain of 0.6 amp in a couple of minutes. He took his battery from his van and drove my car to the dealer. He then took his battery out and got a lift back to his van. The dealership put a new VARTA battery in my Q3. I just took a reading and with engine off it read 12.30 with engine on it was 13.30 Regards Paul

I take your point. I'm just hoping Audi UK can put pressure on the dealership to look into this for me as they are not responding. I'm 66 years old and have been driving nearly 50 years. I have never ‘killed a battery’ before, and never been treated like this from a dealership. I have to drive now with the worry that the car will break down again. It is taking away the pleasure of having a new car. I appreciate your support, thank you.

Thanks for your comments Magnet. I'm awaiting a reply from Audi uk. I will post their reply and hope to get a full refund and apology. I'm now checking my battery readings every day as I'm concerned that the problem may happen again.

Hi, thanks for your comments. I thought I was going mad, not understanding how I broke my car. I have tried communicating with the dealership but no response. I have been in touch with Audi UK and awaiting their reply. After only 3 days my car had dipped below 12v and stayed there for 15 days before breaking down. All this without any warning lights on the dashboard.

Collecting my new Q3 35 ftsi. I love her in this Turbo Blue. Drives beautifully. Shame I'm having problems with the dealership.