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Went to local mechanic 2 weeks ago and asked them to do a full service which they did and advised car was ok - just needed oil. Car has just broken down at home - flat battery. Did AA callout and he has advised it is the alternator. Would the alternator not be covered under full service I received. Suprised it has happened.

Hi there,
A vehicle alternator in generally a non-serviceable item and there is no requirement to check it apart from the belt that drives it. Generally the alternator either works or it doesn't and a charge light usually comes on if it's faulting.
So unfortunately it can be a part that can give little or no warning before it faults. Unless it was very noisy, a warning light was on at the time of service, or you had a problem with the battery going flat and you asked them to check it out.

Thank you for your quick response. Unfortunately there was no warning so I am lucky this happened when I got home.

The mechanic is asking if I would like recondition or new alternator. Can I be cheeky to ask your advice on this? Thinking if it charges battery then new would be better won't break down so quickly?

Thanks

Hi, no worries.
It does depend on your long term plan to keep the car or not. New ones can be quite reasonably priced these days as opposed to a rebuild.