I've had my 1.2 Active for 12 months now and it's recently developed a high pitched whining noise from the engine bay at 3500RPM+. It remains whether I'm on the throttle or not.

Plus it may be unrelated but recently it's struggled to start a few times I.e. the ignition lights come on but when I turn the key it makes a grinding noise and takes a few goes to start.

Could this it be a bearing going in the alternator?

Any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks

Hi,
it couid be alternator bearing,
you need someone to remove belt to confirm,

spin alternator pulley check for roughness in pulley- if rough replace alternator,

Personally i'd say that if the alternator bearing had gone, you'd hear this all the time, not just when the car is starting.

If you are any good with spanners, you could always remove the auxiliary belt briefly to see if the noise goes away.

Also an old trick... find a really long screwdriver, or similar, even a broom handle will do..
Place this on the alternator, whilst pushing your ear against the other end.
It will act as a stethoscope.