How Often Should You Replace a Car Battery?

Car battery being replaced by mechanic
Car batteries are the silent powerhouse of your vehicle. It’s easy to forget how important they are to the proper functioning of a car, and, as such, batteries are often left unattended for years, resulting in their diminished lifespan.

It’s worth establishing whether or not your battery is in a good state prior to hitting the road, particularly if you have a longer journey planned. Flat batteries are a common reason for roadside assistance being called out, because it’s often not obvious that they’re beginning to fail until it’s too late. No one wants to find themselves stranded on the hard shoulder of a motorway, so always check your battery before you leave!

So, how often should you replace a car battery? This article aims to address the question of how often to replace car batteries in cars powered by petrol or diesel – that is, non-electric and non-hybrid vehicles. The rules for either electric or hybrid batteries will vary.

How often should you replace a car battery?

Provided that you take proper care of your battery and send your car in for a regular service, it should last for anywhere up to five years, with four as an average. After four years, it’s wise to keep an eye out for signs that your battery may need replacing.

Batteries can start to fail in as little as three years. It really depends on how you’re caring for them and for the car more broadly, as well as how much use the car is being subjected to overall.

Factors like temperature changes, the length and frequency of car journeys, vibrations caused by rough travel over complex terrain, and use of accessories like smartphones and sophisticated on-board computers can all impact the life of a car battery. You should also avoid mistakes like leaving the car’s lights or air conditioner on while the vehicle is switched off.

How to tell if your car battery needs replacing

You can typically tell that your car battery may need replacing by the following signs:

  • Dimmed or dimming headlights
  • Dashboard warning signals
  • Frequent loss of power to electrics (windows, heaters, etc.)
  • Difficulty starting the car, with more revving required

The best time to gauge whether or not your battery is fit to work is just after turning the vehicle on. Otherwise, your engine will provide enough charge for your battery to function – even if it’s defective and worn out.

You can purchase electronic battery testers at auto parts stores like Halfords. These will provide you with a reading of your car’s battery life, and you should aim to perform this prior to taking any long journey, so that you can be sure your battery is in working order before setting off. Alternatively, request that your garage check your battery’s state when you send your car in for a service.

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An old car battery is easily replaceable, but if your car is generally past its prime and you plan on trading it for a new one, you may want to find yourself a car loan quote. My Car Credit can help – just contact us on enquiries@mycarcredit.co.uk.

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COVID Breakdown Advice: 5 Tips for Roadside Social Distancing

woman calling for breakdown advice at roadside

While restrictions may be relaxing, the coronavirus pandemic is still a very real risk in the UK. It’s never been more important to maintain social distancing and practice good hygiene in all scenarios, including breakdowns.

That’s especially true when many of us are driving cars that are a bit out of practice with weeks of staying home. Not to mention the Government’s extension of MOTs due since lockdown began.

Of course, keeping your distance isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Especially in an emergency or a stressful situation such as a breakdown. So, what should you do if you find yourself high and dry

We’ve put together some handy tips on how to get the help you need, without compromising your personal safety or breaching social distancing rules.

1. Always travel with a mask

While it’s not mandatory to wear a mask in public, stashing one in your glovebox is one of the easiest ways to ramp up protection if you find yourself in a breakdown scenario. If you need to be towed it’s possible you’ll have to catch a ride with the driver or take a taxi home.

If this happens a mask can help to prevent the risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19 in a small enclosed space. If you are offered a ride, try to sit in the back seat if possible and roll down the windows. It may seem strange, but these are unprecedented times and safety should always be a top priority.

2. Use hand sanitiser

Need to sign documents from the RAC or call a tow truck from the petrol station? A quick squirt of hand sanitiser before and after you touch anything another person has come into contact with can make a huge difference when it comes keeping COVID-19 at bay.

3. Deep clean when you get home

Whether it’s a flat tyre that can be fixed in a matter of minutes or a blown gasket that calls for several days at the garage, giving your car a deep clean when it arrives back in your driveway is a must.

If possible, avoid driving or cleaning the car immediately as research suggests COVID-19 can live on surfaces such as stainless steel for up to seven days. When it is time to clean, be sure to use PPE such as a face mask, gloves and an apron to avoid picking up any surviving remnants.

4. Keep your distance

It’s likely you’ll need to chat to the mechanic or tow truck driver, but this doesn’t mean you have to get too close for comfort. As always, try to keep at least 2 metres apart and avoid shaking hands, using the same pen or standing too close while the expert is taking a look at your ride. Interactions should be as quick as possible. If you have non-urgent questions, consider firing them through later in an email or text.

5. Upgrade your car

Okay, maybe not a social distancing tip per-se. But upgrading your car is a great way to avoid the stress – and close proximity – of a breakdown. Best of all, it doesn’t have to cost the world up front. My Car Credit helps everyday drivers secure finance for new cars that are safe and reliable.

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Choosing the Best Breakdown Cover: A Complete Guide

man with flat battery wonders about best breakdown cover

Breaking down can be a very negative experience in more ways than one. To avoid being stranded on the road with the burden of a broken car, you need to opt for a breakdown cover policy.

Breakdown cover

Breakdown cover will vary depending on your insurance policy and can provide anything from basic roadside assistance to vehicle recovery and onward travel. If you drive on a regular basis, it’s vital that you know your options and how they can work for you.

Types of breakdown cover

Personal

Personal breakdown cover will protect you as an individual in any vehicle that meets the agreed specification of your policy. This kind of cover enables you to claim as the driver or passenger of a broken-down car and (depending on the policy) may also cover people that live at the same address.

Vehicle

Vehicle breakdown cover will allow you to claim for the specific vehicle outlined in your policy, regardless of who’s driving it.

Levels of breakdown cover

Once you’ve decided on the type of breakdown cover you want, you have to choose the level of cover.

Roadside assistance

This usually comes as standard when you take out breakdown cover and means that a breakdown team will come to your location and aim to get you back on the road again. If they can’t fix your car on the roadside, they will tow it to the nearest garage.

Vehicle recovery

In the event that your car can’t be fixed, vehicle recovery enables you and your vehicle to be taken by the breakdown team to a destination of your choosing. This is especially advantageous if you are a long way from home and have no other way to get back.

Home breakdown

If your car won’t start at home, this enables you to get a breakdown team sent to your home to fix it. This is more common than you might think, with flat batteries causing a lot of cases.

Onward travel

This kind of cover enables you to complete the journey that you were on when you broke down if your car can’t be fixed. Onward travel cover has a number of options attached to it, including a courtesy car, overnight hotel accommodation or public transport.

Optional extras

Once you’ve selected the main options to your breakdown cover, there are also optional extras you can add on.

  • Multi-car can cover multiple cars and/or drivers that live at the same address
  • European breakdown cover will cover you when you’re abroad
  • Key replacement in the event that they are lost, damaged or broken
  • Battery replacement with no service fee
  • Tyre replacement
  • Wrong fuel cover, in the event that you have mistakenly re-filled with the wrong fuel

If you drive regularly, it’s important to get breakdown cover. Being stranded on the roadside is inconvenient and potentially dangerous. We hope our complete guide will help you to understand your options and choose the best option for you.

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Evolution Funding Limited, trading as My Car Credit, is a credit broker and not a lender.

Please ensure you can afford the repayments for the duration of the loan before entering into a credit agreement.

*Initial application is a soft search. Should you progress, some lenders may perform a hard search on your credit file.
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Don’t Panic: What to Do When You Break Down

Driver puts breakdown safety triangle in road

We’ve all seen enough scary movies to know that breaking down in your car is not a good thing! Anytime your car stops working, it can very quickly turn into a dangerous situation for other drivers and yourself. However, don’t panic – we’ve got a checklist to help you deal with the situation.

1. Safety first

The absolute first thing you should do before anything else is to make sure you’re in a safe place. So, before you’ve had time to slap the wheel, curse at the car or even break a sweat, move your vehicle off the road. This means turning off at the next exit, any potential layby or the hard shoulder! Pull into the left as far as possible (watching out for soft verges) and turn the wheels to the left.

2. Turn your hazard lights on

You’ve probably only ever used these to apologise for a slightly mistimed turning, but now it’s time to make best use of them. Turn your hazard lights on as soon as your car is in a safe position.

3. The warning triangle

A warning triangle should only be put up if it’s safe. Do not put up a warning triangle on the motorway. However, if it is safe (i.e. a lower speed zone) you can put up a warning triangle – if it is at least 50 yards behind your vehicle.

4. Get away from the traffic

Once your car is off the road, you should get yourself (and any passengers) away from the traffic. Exit the vehicle and find a spot away from the road, where you can wait for your breakdown cover provider to arrive. It might be difficult for you but try and leave your pet(s) in the car – this is where they are safest.

5. Make yourself obvious

It’s important to make yourself visible to drivers, especially if it’s dark. So, put on a reflective jacket if you have one. If you haven’t got one, then make sure you’re a safe distance from the car and have your phone torch on so drivers can see you.

6. Call an emergency breakdown company

You should contact an emergency breakdown company. Normally, you are assigned one as part of your car insurance, but if you can’t remember, research one and get in touch with them. If you don’t have a mobile phone and you’re on the motorway, you can follow the arrows on sign posts which lead to your closest emergency phone. They are spaced out in mile long intervals and can be identified by an orange SOS signpost.

7. Final words

If for any reason you are unable to get to a safe location, then keep your seatbelt on, put on your hazard lights and use your phone to call the emergency services.

Breaking down is a stressful situation for anybody who’s unfortunate enough to experience it, but it’s important to remember that any breakdown situation can turn dangerous very quickly. You need to follow the correct procedures to make sure that you are safe and that your breakdown service can aid you when they arrive at the scene. Stick to our checklist above and you’re off to a good start.

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£

X monthly repayments of
£X

Typical rate

Loan amount

Total payable

X% APR*

£X

£X

*for illustration purposes only

No impact on your credit score*

Representative Example

Borrowing £7,500 at a representative APR of 10.9%, annual interest rate (fixed) 10.87%, 47 monthly payments of £191.50 followed by 1 payment of £201.50 (incl. estimated £10 option to purchase fee), a deposit of £0.00, total cost of credit is £1,702, total amount payable £9,202.

Evolution Funding Limited, trading as My Car Credit, is a credit broker and not a lender.

Please ensure you can afford the repayments for the duration of the loan before entering into a credit agreement.

*Initial application is a soft search. Should you progress, some lenders may perform a hard search on your credit file.
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Got a question you can’t find the answer to, or need some advice and guidance around taking out car finance? Our Car Credit Specialists are friendly, experienced, and here to help so get in touch today!

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