VW Arteon low battery warning

[Mark V GTD]

Car is a 2020 VW Arteon 190 petrol. Has been laid up since 8th December but today I unlock, get in and press the button to engage ignition (needed to check the range). A message pops up saying ‘Battery - low volts - drive car to re-charge’ or words similar to that.

It surprised me as I have never seen a similar warning in decades of VW and Audi ownership. The car is always used for fairly long drives - 20 miles to 60 miles normally.

Ok no big drama - I drove for 40 miles and all seems fine but just surprised me as the car is only 22 months old from new with 25k miles.

[stevemcs]

We test batteries as part of a service and nearly every modern VW battery comes back as bad and replace, 2-3 years seems to be the point they start to die.

[Mark V GTD]

Have to say that’s shocking!

[Smiljan]

stevemcs said:

We test batteries as part of a service and nearly every modern VW battery comes back as bad and replace, 2-3 years seems to be the point they start to die.

Any particular brand? Mines at the 4 year mark and still going strong but I know VW use all sorts of battery brands in their cars.

[sunbeam alpine]

Ours used to do the same, but it's a bit older - from 2017 - although the batteries were replaced as part of a recall/update (or whatever they call it) to the stop/start system. Since then it hasn't done it. Has yours had the update? (or it could be that 2020 cars don't need it).

[Mark V GTD]

Hmm that’s interesting. It’s had the first service so I may ring them and ask about that. This car is a lease and goes back early March so maybe I shouldn’t stress too much.

[stevemcs]

Mark V GTD said:

Hmm that’s interesting. It’s had the first service so I may ring them and ask about that. This car is a lease and goes back early March so maybe I shouldn’t stress too much.

We usually advise if it starts without struggling then continue to use it, if it coughs one morning then thats your warning. VW don't usually cover batteries, we had a customer with a Golf R and VW had refused to replace it despite the customer having to jump start it.

[Mark V GTD]

What battery brand do you normally select for a replacement in a VW - just curious.

[journeymanpro]

Mark V GTD said:

What battery brand do you normally select for a replacement in a VW - just curious.

Varta, bosch or yuasa

[Mark V GTD]

Thx that’s good to know! :-)