Leaving your lights on can destroy your battery?

2240 Views 4 Replies 3 Participants Last post by RogS, Nov 5, 2019

RogS

Discussion Starter · Nov 5, 2019

I got a battery charge low on my 2016 mini Cooper SD after (possibly) leaving a light on overnight. The car started normally and I charged it overnight with a new, smart charger.
The next day the same warning light came on (it still started normally) and it went to the dealer who said that the battery was damaged due to low state of charge, because the lights were left on.
I queried this with the garage as the car was under the 1 year used warranty and was advised that as it was our fault (indicator left on, leaving parking light on, wrecks battery), I needed to pay for a new battery.
So it appears to me that if you accidentally leave a light on, you will be faced with a £250 bill for a new battery even if the vehicle is under warranty.
This seems incredible to me and, if true, points to a pretty serious design flaw.
I welcome any comments.

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mike1967

· #2 · Nov 5, 2019

total crap sidelights and draining battery down over night should not hurt it, the battery has a life span most are around 3-5 years common for 8 years on good battery's ie the ones with a 5 year warranty, i use car batteries to power the lights in my unit and run them down and recharge fine but all 4 are good batteries,, a faulty battery will not come back also it pays to charge a totally flat battery at 1amp trickle charge at first, £250 to fit a battery below link has 4 years warranty guess they load the bill with a 5 minute plug in to register battery

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knt

· #3 · Nov 5, 2019

I'm guessing the cost might be to do with AGM battery and registering the battery.

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RogS

Discussion Starter · #4 · Nov 5, 2019

mike1967 said:
total crap sidelights and draining battery down over night should not hurt it, the battery has a life span most are around 3-5 years common for 8 years on good battery's ie the ones with a 5 year warranty, i use car batteries to power the lights in my unit and run them down and recharge fine but all 4 are good batteries,, a faulty battery will not come back also it pays to charge a totally flat battery at 1amp trickle charge at first, £250 to fit a battery below link has 4 years warranty guess they load the bill with a 5 minute plug in to register battery

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Thanks Mike. Dealer spoke about low usage of car (it's not used every day), and the vehicle is over 3 years old so maybe at the start of the 3-5 year lifespan you refer to? What I don't get is that the car always started OK, it was just the light on the dash. Dealer said the light can come on with the battery low but it can still start the car OK. Yes they had to register AGM battery. Other comments welcome.

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RogS

Discussion Starter · #5 · Nov 5, 2019

knt said:
I'm guessing the cost might be to do with AGM battery and registering the battery.

Yes KNT, you're right on that. It was more the technical / warranty issue I was concerned about; the cost comes second.

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096 Heavy Duty High Performance Car Battery 12V fits many Volvo VW | eBay

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