THanks Calnorth, but he hasn't got the touchscreen version unfortunately. However, you may all be surprised to know that when he tried to start the car whilst in gear, the car did not jump forward as anticipated and did in fact replicate the problem. So hopefully that's all the problem was, I will r...

Cheers I've told him to go to Halfords or our local motor factors.
I thought car would jump forward if left in gear, was just a thought.

Would it not start if it was accidentally left in gear? That's another theory my son has come up with since.

I guess it's possible as the car had been idle for a while, but then he's done some miles in it, as it was his new plaything. Would a battery test show up if it was in need of a charge or replacing?

My son just bought a used Qashqai at the weekend the 1.5 dCi Acenta on a 66 plate. Yesterday he phoned me to say that the car wouldn't start, The electrics were working the parking sensor was beeping but the engine wouldn't turn over, just nothing happened when he turned the key. Eventually it start...