- 14+ yearshands-on experience
- 24/7emergency callouts
- Insuredpublic liability cover
- Upfront priceagreed before work starts
Signs your battery is failing
- The engine turns over slowly, especially on cold mornings
- A clicking noise when you turn the key or press start, but no crank
- Dashboard lights dim or flicker when you try to start
- Stop-start stops working. It's often the first sign, because the car disables it when the battery is weak.
- Electrical glitches like the clock resetting or warning messages on start-up
- You've needed a jump start more than once recently
- The battery is more than four or five years old
- Corrosion around the terminals or a swollen battery case
If the red battery symbol comes on while you're driving, that usually points to the charging system rather than the battery itself. Our battery warning light guide explains what that means and whether it's safe to keep driving.
Why we test before we replace
A flat battery isn't always a dead battery. A battery can go flat because the alternator isn't charging it, because something is draining it while the car is parked, or because of a loose or corroded connection. Fitting a new battery without finding the cause means you'll be flat again in a week. So before recommending a battery, we check:
- Battery voltage and condition. A healthy, fully charged battery reads around 12.6 volts at rest. The condition test shows whether it can still deliver enough current to start the car.
- Charging output. With the engine running, the alternator should typically be putting out roughly 13.8 to 14.7 volts, depending on the car.
- Terminals and cables for corrosion, looseness or damage.
- Battery drain, if the battery keeps going flat overnight. Common causes include aftermarket accessories, a boot or glovebox light staying on, or an electronic module that isn't shutting down.
Stop-start cars need the right battery
Cars with stop-start use AGM or EFB batteries, which are built to handle the constant restarting. Fitting a standard battery to a stop-start car shortens its life and can stop the system working properly. Many modern cars, including plenty of BMW, Volkswagen group, Mercedes and Ford models, also need the new battery registered with the car's computer using a diagnostic tool, so the charging system knows a new battery has been fitted. We match the battery type, capacity and size to your car from the registration, and register it where your car needs it.
What happens on the day
- We test the battery, charging system and connections to confirm the battery is really the problem.
- If it is, you get a price for the correct replacement before anything is fitted.
- We fit the new battery, clean and tighten the terminals, and register the battery if your car needs it.
- We recheck charging output with the engine running so you know the whole system is healthy.
Some older car radios need a security code after the battery has been disconnected. If yours does, it's worth finding the code card in your glovebox or handbook beforehand.
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Why batteries fail in cold weather
Cold weather slows the chemical reaction inside a battery, so it can deliver less power just when a cold engine needs more to turn over. A battery that was borderline in autumn often fails on the first frosty morning. If your car has started to sound sluggish, getting it tested before winter is cheaper than a no-start on the way to work.
What it costs
The price depends on the battery your car needs, which varies with engine size, stop-start and whether the car needs coding after fitting. Send your registration and we'll give you a price upfront. If the test shows your battery is fine and the problem is elsewhere, we'll tell you rather than sell you a battery you don't need.
Not sure it's the battery? Read battery, starter motor or alternator?
Other services
Where we work
We're based in Small Heath, Birmingham, and come to you across the West Midlands, including these areas:
Frequently asked questions
How long does a car battery last?
Typically four to five years, though short journeys, cold weather and lots of electrical accessories can shorten that. A battery that's nearing that age and struggling on cold mornings is worth testing.
Can you jump start my car instead?
Yes, and if the battery was simply drained, for example by lights left on, a jump start and a good drive may be all you need. If it keeps happening, the battery or charging system needs testing.
My car has stop-start. Does that change anything?
Yes. Stop-start cars need an AGM or EFB battery, and many need the new battery registered with the car using a diagnostic tool. We match and register the correct battery for your car.
Will I lose my radio and settings?
Most modern cars keep their settings. Some older radios need a security code after a battery change, so check your glovebox or handbook for the code card.
How do I know it's the battery and not the alternator?
We test both. If the car starts after a jump but the battery warning light comes on while driving, or it goes flat again quickly, the alternator or charging circuit is the more likely cause.