Battery drain

[Philthy]

My mum drives a VZ calais, and last time I went for a visit, she said the battery kept going flat if she didn't drive it for a few days.
A mechanic I talked to said that if it isn't kept locked it drains the battery quite quickly. Would this be the problem or could there be something else wrong?

 

[caseyhelen]

have the battery tested may a bad cell or it may be over charging

 

[Philthy]

It's a new battery. Got replaced to try fixing the problem and didn't help

 

[squawk]

alternator could be on its way out? need to get it check to see if its charging the battery when the car is running, another thing you can do is to test the battery when the car is off to see if there is any load on it to see if there is anything draining it when its off....

 

[andyman]

easiest drain check to start off with is disconnect the negative lead and then slowly and gently fit the clamp up onto the pole at an angle so there is least amount of contact, check for a spark when re-attached,

check that the boot switch and glove box switch is turning off when closed,

is there any aftermarket accessories fitted, like car kit, electric trailer brakes etc?

 

[Philthy]

It'll be about a month before I go back so I'll have to keep these things in mind and check them then. Thanks for the ideas