Understanding Car Battery Lifespan and Replacement

Average car batteries can last up to three years with normal maintenance. The cost of replacing a car battery is £150, with costs ranging from £130 to £250 and we have noticed that the battery cost for vehicles with a start/stop system is higher. 

Doing a car battery replacement with a professional in the UK normally costs in the range of £160 to £450, which includes both the labour installation cost and the battery. In general, most people do battery replacement during car servicing Plymouth to reduce the cost of installation.

When you are looking for a new car, the things you should pay the most attention to? Most of us choose a car based on its fuel efficiency, engine capacity, and the level of comfort it provides.

But few of us, pay much attention to other things such as the car’s battery. As most modern cars come with lots of electronics they do need a high-quality battery that manages a massive range of tasks and devices, such as switching on the engine and powering other electronics. 

In addition to changing your oil, replacing air filters, and doing other routine maintenance activities, taking care of your car's battery is one of the most efficient methods to guarantee that it operates smoothly and without issue.

Flat or broken batteries are one of the most common reasons for roadside assistance calls, and a large number of failures are caused by batteries that are just too old for the task.

In this article, we'll go over the facts about your car's battery and help you decide whether it's time for a replacement. We'll also include car-specific suggestions to help you get the most out of your vehicle's battery and extend its life.

Car Batteries can be Worn Down Within Three Years

Although batteries can survive for five years or more with good maintenance, most automotive batteries will become worn out and inefficient after three years of average use.

Your car's battery steadily deteriorates with each charge, just like the battery on your computer or smartphone does. After four or five years, most automotive batteries will be nearly unusable. 

Old car batteries can cause a variety of safety and reliability concerns. Fortunately, you can easily tell whether your car's battery is reaching the end of its life.

Does Car Electronics Work Even After The Battery is Damaged?

Even a car with a severely damaged battery will work normally once it is started since the engine provides a significant portion of the battery's charge. This is the optimum moment to test your car's battery soon after you turn it on.

Even if your battery fails, your car can still start rapidly. However, battery-powered components with high power needs, such as headlights, may not operate properly.

Try starting your car at night with the headlights turned on. Are they dimmer? If the headlights appear extremely faint, shift into park or neutral and crank the engine. If the battery is failing, the headlights will brighten as you press the pedal.

This is an excellent approach to determine whether your battery is starting to fail. A totally damaged battery is even easier to detect: when you turn the key in the ignition or push the ignition switch, your vehicle will not start at all.

The Newer Your Car, The More Pressure on Its Battery

As a general rule, the more advanced your vehicle's onboard computers are, the greater the demand for the battery. Many new cars have sophisticated computers that operate continuously, even when the vehicle is parked and turned off.

These computers may slowly and steadily drain your car's battery, eventually wearing it down. Although each computer drains a small amount of energy, the cumulative impact might drain your car's battery if left idle for an extended period of time.

If you rarely use your car, avoid allowing onboard computer systems to deplete its battery by taking it for a brief drive around the block once or twice - to recharge it every week or two.

Inspect Your Car Battery to Avoid Frequent Breakdowns

When you take your car to the garage for normal maintenance, make sure to request that the battery be examined. Battery wear is not usually consistent; your vehicle's battery might fall from 90% performance to 20% over the span of a few months.

Testing a battery is simple, and any respectable garage or repair business will have its own set of electronic testers on hand to test yours. Regular checks can disclose when your battery needs to be changed, allowing you to prevent embarrassing breakdowns.

If your battery is showing indications of deterioration and hasn't been replaced in two or three years, don't risk it. Car batteries are affordable, and the tiny expense of a replacement is worthwhile to prevent the stress of a breakdown on the road.

Faulty batteries can also fail your car in its MOT Plymouth. If your car is equipped with a faulty battery then turning on the engine can be difficult during the test thus resulting in MOT failure.

Cars with Start & Stop Technology Need Specific Batteries 

Cars with engines that are designed to turn off automatically when at a stop put a higher burden on their batteries than regular cars and frequently require a particular car battery replacement.

If your car has stop-start technology and you're replacing the battery yourself, be sure you get the right replacement. Your local auto shop will have a battery tailored to meet your vehicle's increased requirements.