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 9 models in our library, across 9 separate faults. The most common areas involved are 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.

Dodge Durango2011–20231 matching fault
  • TIPM (integrated power module) faults causing random electrical issues.· Age-related
Hyundai i102013–20251 matching fault
  • Battery drain from short trips and failing alternator· Age-related
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
Toyota Aygo2014–20241 matching fault
  • Battery drain from short-trip use· Age-related
Vauxhall Mokka2012–20251 matching fault
  • Battery drain and infotainment resets on Mokka B· Any

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