how long does the average battery last

batman1

In a petrol 1.4 car, how long could one expect to get from a battery under average family car use?

Atlantic Dawn

5 years should be reasonable from a decent brand.

corkgsxr

yep 4-5 years.

but it depends on use too. and how good your charging syatem is. and how much you drive.

my transit had the original battery replaced after 7 years.

my gsxr still has the original in unfailing condition after 9 years.

Kenny Logins

The last one I replaced was 10 years old (weekend use), but I would expect 5 from a daily.

OldmanMondeo

3 - 5 years, depending on usage and weather conditions, freezing conditions can kill a battery overnight.

joujoujou

Crappy one would last one year.

Average - 5-6 years.

The best ones- up to 10 years, but it's rare.

dgt

Yes about 3 to 5 years. Battery in my van is failing but it's 4 years old.

Anyone remember hoppicke batteries? They lasted on average for us about 8 years :eek:

batman1

Could anyone recommend a brand or type and where's the best place to get one. Local quick fit centre?

Stheno

batman1 wrote: »

Could anyone recommend a brand or type and where's the best place to get one. Local quick fit centre?

Or your local motor factors, they tend to be very reasonable.

AugustusMinimus

Got 11 years out of a 1.6 Focus with daily use. Beat that.

danger_mouse_tm

The Bosch silver batteries have good high current for their size, which is ideal for cars with lots of electrics e.g. air con, heated seats etc. Halfords stock them but they're not cheap.

batman1

danger_mouse_tm wrote: »

The Bosch silver batteries have good high current for their size, which is ideal for cars with lots of electrics e.g. air con, heated seats etc. Halfords stock them but they're not cheap.

I just need a standard reliable one. No electrical gadgets to power...

AugustusMinimus

AugustusMinimus wrote: »

Got 11 years out of a 1.6 Focus with daily use. Beat that.

Thought I'd be on to a winner but you've beaten me mine won't be 11 years until Jan, again a 1.6 focus

shawnee

got 13 years out an original nissan almera battery that was factory fitted when new. Replaced it last year. Like most modern stuff , replacement time has halved. Would be lucky to get 6 now.:o

AugustusMinimus

shawnee wrote: »

got 13 years out an original nissan almera battery that was factory fitted when new. Replaced it last year. Like most modern stuff , replacement time has halved. Would be lucky to get 6 now.:o

Nah. It's always the case that the original battery in a car seems to last much longer than replacement batteries.

Might have something to do with efficiency of the entire electrical system dropping with wear.

The Pontiac

AugustusMinimus wrote: »

Got 11 years out of a 1.6 Focus with daily use. Beat that.

I was on 12 years on my 1.6 Focus. I sold it, could be still going strong.

Cork boy 55

never had to change one
had first car for seven years, It possible my current car has an 8 year old battery in it not sure if it original looks like it 99%



What does a battery cost these days?
What would be a warning sign that you need to new one?
What sort of tests can a small garage do on a battery to see what state it is in?

corkgsxr

OldmanMondeo wrote: »

3 - 5 years, depending on usage and weather conditions, freezing conditions can kill a battery overnight.

No it doesn't it just makes them work harder and shows up batterys that are on the way out

Cork boy 55 wrote: »

never had to change one
had first car for seven years, It possible my current car has an 8 year old battery in it not sure if it original looks like it 99%



What does a battery cost these days?
What would be a warning sign that you need to new one?
What sort of tests can a small garage do on a battery to see what state it is in?

Between 50 and 100, some need special types they can be pricey.

Can't leave radio or lights on for long without it not starting, or if you have to move the car a few times without driving and it won't start.

You can test the output under load and that'll tell ya when it's getting bad

10-10-20

They last 5 years and 1 day in my opinion. The frost in the fifth year kills them. I bet my used engine oil that battery sales peak in January.

101sean

Any garage or decent motor factor will have a battery tester that will do a drop test on it.

I think one of the problems with modern cars is that their electronics need the full voltage to work and a starter will rob that on a failing battery. If it doesn't fire first turn these days you have a problem somewhere.

6 years on my first battery in the 110, 4 years on the second. I now use a marine battery that I hope copes better with accessories and a winch.

Micky 32

AugustusMinimus wrote: »

Got 11 years out of a 1.6 Focus with daily use. Beat that.

Beat this, my friend who has a 83 Jetta , it's battery is 16 years old and starts any cold morning lol

When getting wiper blades the other day in an auto factors, he told me a waste of time load testing a battery these days( unless of course you have problems). He explained he could load test a battery today and read great but only a month down the road can be dead. So if you get your old battery tested and it reads perfect it doesn't mean it's not knocking on heavens door!