Chrysler Hatchback Range

There’s a range of possibilities here. The first is that even though the battery had enough urge to illuminate the dashboard lights when you turned the key, it didn’t have enough to actually spin the engine to start it.

Conversely, you might also find that there’s a problem with the wiring that takes power from the battery to the starter motor, which would also see the engine refuse to crank. But don’t rule out the obvious stuff like a blown fuse or relay in the starting system.

You might even have a problem as simple as a poorly adjusted switch that prevents the engine from starting if the transmission is not in Park. Try starting it with the gearbox in Neutral and see if that works. If it does, your transmission safety switch is a dud and needs to be either replaced or repositioned.

With local production shutting down the big-car choices are getting fewer and fewer, but right now you can still buy a Calais if that's what you like. You can also buy an equivalent Falcon or Toyota Aurion. There are more expensive cars, from the likes of BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi etc. that would suit, but they come with a much higher price tag than a Calais. Others you could try are a Skoda Superb, a Honda Accord V6 Luxury if you're prepared to give up a little in size, and there's also the Chrysler 300C.