Hi folks

The in-law has an old mk6 which does very little mileage. Problem is when she wants to use it the battery is dead. We’ve had the battery and alternator checked and everything is ok apparently but it dies very quickly when it’s not in use. 
Is their anything that I could check in regards to an electrical fault?

thanks

2 hours ago, Macka09 said:

Is their anything that I could check in regards to an electrical fault?

This is not a fault !!

If the vehicle is not used regularly, and it does not do many miles then it is to be expected that the battery will become flat.

The only answer other than use the car more often and drive it further is:

1. Fit a new battery - Make sure to fully charge it for at least 12 hours before fitting, and
2. Keep the battery on a constant charge using a connected Smart Charger, for example Maypole.

2 hours ago, unofix said:

This is not a fault !!

If the vehicle is not used regularly, and it does not do many miles then it is to be expected that the battery will become flat.

The only answer other than use the car more often and drive it further is:

1. Fit a new battery - Make sure to fully charge it for at least 12 hours before fitting, and
2. Keep the battery on a constant charge using a connected Smart Charger, for example Maypole.

Thanks for the reply. This was my understanding and advice but wanted to make sure their wasn’t anything obvious that should be checked first. 
There’s no need to run the car more than what it’s current usage is but the lady just wants to know it’s going to start when she wants to use it. 
The current battery is only 2 years old but it’s just not holding charge for very long at all. 
Is their a battery you’d recommend?

thanks 

12 minutes ago, Macka09 said:

The current battery is only 2 years old but it’s just not holding charge for very long at all. 
Is their a battery you’d recommend?

Unfortunately car batteries deteriorate quite quickly when they are not 'cycled' often. They last much longer when in daily use.

The usual battery of choice here on the forum is 'Yuasa' and regardless of what engine the car has always fit the battery that is used for the diesel engine. They are more powerful.

The best option for a Fiesta Mk6 would be: https://www.tayna.co.uk/car-batteries/yuasa/ybx5100/

Remember to charge it for 12 hours before it is fitted.

Also in an ideal world leave the car connected to a Smart Charger when it is not being used. If that is not practical then it will still need to be charged for at least 12 hours every 4 weeks.

Out of interest, how far does the car get driven, and how often?  If it's just a mile to the supermarket once a fortnight then that is about the worst possible use for a battery.

I'm having battery issues with a couple of cars that don't get driven at all.  I can't get a mains charger to them for more than a few hours at a time, and that seems to be pretty ineffective in all honesty.  Managed to save one battery (5 years old) but the other was totally dead and needed replacing.  I'm going to have to start running them for at least 30 minutes once a month I think.  Such a waste of fuel and unnecessary cause of emissions but for those of us without mains plugs near a car, there really isn't anything else we can do.

I did have a solar panel maintainer in a south facing screen which seemed to help and only cost about a tenner, though it does need to be disconnected every time the car is used which is extra hassle.

Just to be clear I think the car engine is a 1.4 petrol?

At most it’s a couple of miles each use but it is very infrequent and like you say it’s not good to be driving it and using fuel for no other reason than to charge the battery. 
 

I will pick up one those chargers mentioned above as it will come in handy for my own works van. 
 

thanks for the advice folks 

4 hours ago, Macka09 said:

I think the car engine is a 1.4 petrol?

No matter. Still fit the battery above which is more powerful.

On the topic of low mileage/batteries. Just filled up my wife's car for the first time since last November! It is very economical, but stil.........😀

Original battery is now 11 years old, no problems to date - but then, it's not a Ford!😀

6 hours ago, unofix said:

No matter. Still fit the battery above which is more powerful.

Two sizes of battery box I believe on 2002-08 Fiesta, so make sure the big battery will fit in.

12 minutes ago, Paulkp said:

Two sizes of battery box I believe on 2002-08 Fiesta

Indeed !!!

I've just checked and there is in fact no less than 4 options. I've obviously just been lucky since I've replaced 4 batteries on a Fiesta Mk6, but one was an ST, two were 1.6 automatics, and one was a diesel.