My car's electrics seemed to be working fine till yesterday, and it was starting fine. All of a sudden the battery went flat after I parked it for 8 hrs ( at work ). I am going to recharge it via the mains, but I am worried that this may be a sign the battery is about to die permenantly. I am trying to avoid getting a new one , ( I am skint right now ). What is the best thing to do?

Hi mate,

If its not the sealed maintenance free type, check that all of the electrolyte levels are correct and that there isnt one cell that is low. Then as you said, stick it on charge over night. Check the voltage across the terminals with a multimeter, (12v doesn't necessarily mean that the battery isnt knackered though) Or you could pop into most garages and they will have a battery tester that will tell you more accurately the condition of your battery.
Also check that you didnt leave anything on inside the car.

Alan

jump start the car, remove the cables straight away and if it cuts out then you'll know the alternator isnt doing its job, it should stay running, if it stay running then let it charge up a bit and then leave it for a while to see if it goes dead again but make sure that everything is off in the car first,., it could be something like the stereo or lights left on that drained it.,