Starting problems

Starting problems on a used car · what to check

A car that has been on charge before you arrive starts perfectly. Insist on the cold start and you will learn more than any advert tells you.

Quick answer

Starting problems appears as a documented fault on 27 models in our library, across 28 separate faults. The most common areas involved are Electrical, Engine, Fuel System, Electrical / Interior, Gearbox, Electrical / Engine.

What it usually means

  • Slow crank · battery, starter or heavy oil.
  • Long crank on a diesel · glow plugs, fuel pressure or injector seals.
  • Repeated flat batteries · parasitic drain from a module that will not sleep.
  • Starts, runs a second, dies · immobiliser or fuel supply.

How to check it on the forecourt

  1. 01Arrange to see the car unstarted and untouched that day.
  2. 02Watch how it cranks, and listen for a rattle in the first two seconds.
  3. 03Ask when the battery was replaced and look for a date sticker.
  4. 04Lock the car, wait ten minutes, then unlock and start it again.

Models where this is documented

Each entry links to that model's full fault page, with onset mileage, severity and what to inspect.

Vauxhall Mokka2012–20252 matching faults
  • Battery drain and infotainment resets on Mokka B· Any
  • High-pitched whistling noise at idle, rough running, and excessive crankcase vacuum.· 60,000-90,000 miles
Audi Q82018–20251 matching fault
  • High-pitched whistling sound at idle, rough running, and excessive crankcase vacuum on the 4.0 TFSI V8 (SQ8/RSQ8) models.· 40,000-60,000 miles
Buick Encore2013–20221 matching fault
  • Extended cranking or difficulty starting immediately after filling the petrol tank, often accompanied by a loud ticking noise from the EVAP purge valve.· 60,000-90,000 miles
Chevrolet Camaro2016–20231 matching fault
  • Slow cranking or failure to start when the engine is hot due to starter motor heat soak.· 40,000-70,000 miles
Dodge Durango2011–20231 matching fault
  • TIPM (integrated power module) faults causing random electrical issues.· Age-related
Honda Accord2013–20171 matching fault
  • Intermittent no-start condition or a loud clicking noise when attempting to crank the engine.· 40,000-80,000 miles
Honda Fit2015–20201 matching fault
  • Intermittent failure to crank, clicking noise when pressing the start button, or dashboard warning lights without engine turnover.· 50,000-70,000 miles
Honda HR-V2016–20221 matching fault
  • Engine fails to crank on the first press of the start/stop button, requiring multiple attempts.· 50,000+ miles
Honda Jazz2015–20251 matching fault
  • Grinding noise on startup or intermittent failure to crank due to starter motor degradation, particularly on Mk3 push-button start models.· 60,000-90,000 miles
Honda Odyssey2011–20171 matching fault
  • Flat battery after sitting for a few days, caused by a parasitic draw from a faulty HandsFreeLink (Bluetooth) module failing to shut down.· 5-8 years
Honda Pilot2016–20221 matching fault
  • Engine fails to crank on the first press due to a faulty push-button ignition switch.· 30,000-60,000 miles
Hyundai i102013–20251 matching fault
  • Battery drain from short trips and failing alternator· Age-related
Hyundai Sonata2015–20191 matching fault
  • Vehicle refuses to crank, harsh gear engagement, or blank dashboard gear indicator.· 60,000-100,000 miles
Jaguar XE2015–20241 matching fault
  • Infotainment and battery drain faults· Age-related
Jaguar XF2013–20241 matching fault
  • Ingenium 2.0d timing chain and crank issues on earlier cars· 70,000+ miles
Kia EV62021–20251 matching fault
  • 12V battery drain issues on early production cars· 20,000+ miles
Kia Picanto2013–20251 matching fault
  • Battery drain from short trips· Age-related
Land Rover Range Rover Sport2005–20221 matching fault
  • 3.0 TDV6 crankshaft and timing chain wear on higher-mileage cars· 100,000+ miles
Mercedes-Benz GLE2019–20251 matching fault
  • 48V EQ Boost battery or Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) failure causing a no-start condition or dash warnings.· 30,000-50,000 miles
Nissan Maxima2016–20231 matching fault
  • Rough idle, extended cranking after filling the petrol tank, or illuminated engine management light caused by a faulty EVAP purge valve.· 50,000-80,000 miles
Nissan Sentra2013–20191 matching fault
  • Engine refuses to crank via the push-button start and brake lights fail to illuminate.· 40,000-70,000 miles
Skoda Octavia2013–20251 matching fault
  • PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) valve failure on 2.0 TSI vRS models, causing rough idling, excessive oil consumption, and a high-pitched whistling noise.· 70,000-100,000 miles
Toyota Aygo2014–20241 matching fault
  • Battery drain from short-trip use· Age-related
Toyota Aygo X2022–20261 matching fault
  • Oil misting or weeping from the timing chain cover gasket.· 40,000-60,000 miles
Toyota Tundra2007–20131 matching fault
  • Intermittent no-crank condition or a single audible click when turning the key, requiring multiple attempts to start.· 100,000-130,000 miles
Vauxhall Astra2012–20211 matching fault
  • Rough idle and misfires caused by cracked pistons from Low Speed Pre-Ignition (LSPI) on 1.4T models.· 40,000-70,000 miles
Volkswagen Arteon2017–20241 matching fault
  • Rough idle, whistling noise from the engine bay, and excessive oil consumption caused by a ruptured PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) valve diaphragm on 2.0 TSI models.· 50,000-70,000 miles

Checking a specific car? Generate a free fault checklist for its exact make, model and year.