At CarFix Garage Car Mechanic in London , we pride ourselves on going above and beyond for the customer. We have a fantastic reputation. We’re known for being one of the friendliest garages in London who deliver the highest standard of customer service. That’s why London local drivers are so quick to recommend our diagnostic checks.
CarFix Garage Auto Repairs, your trusted partner for comprehensive car care solutions.
At CarFix Garage, we understand the importance of your vehicle’s performance and safety, which is why we’re committed to providing top-notch repair services tailored to meet your needs.
We are expert in diagnosing and resolving mechanical, electrical, and technical problems in all types of vehicles, regardless of make or model.
Our team of skilled technicians is equipped with the expertise and knowledge to handle all types of car repairs efficiently and effectively. From routine maintenance tasks like oil changes and tire rotations to complex engine diagnostics and electrical system repairs, we’ve got you covered.
Besides, we also perform additional checks on related car components to ensure optimum road safety.
We stock a wide range of van and car batteries so you’re never caught short without one. We’re always on hand to provide and fit a replacement car battery for your petrol or diesel vehicle.
With our handy search tool above, you can find your correct car battery by reg. Simply enter your vehicle registration number and book a car battery fitting near you.
We also have a range of batteries suitable for hybrid and electric vehicles. If you can't find a battery suitable for your car using our registration look up tool, please contact your local CarFix Garage centre.
Why do car batteries fail?
Responsible for 60,000 roadside recovery call-outs a year, battery failure is a common cause of breakdown in petrol and diesel powered vehicles. There are a number of reasons why a car battery could fail, including extreme weather conditions, the car being left for long periods, the age of the battery and, commonly, motorists accidentally leaving their lights on.
How long should a car battery last on my car?
The average lifespan of a car battery is between 3 and 5 years, but this can vary based on a number of factors. These include how often and how long the car is driven, temperature variation, the age of your car and any additional electronic features installed (including alarms and sensors) that are active even when your car is not in use.
How often should I replace my car battery
Before your car battery actually dies you might notice a few signs that it isn’t working normally. Electrical systems are usually the first things to be affected by battery wear; you may notice your car’s radio, lighting and windscreen wipers may act differently (sluggishly or less immediately) than beforehand.
Another sign that you might notice is a strong smell coming from the battery- often likened to rotten eggs. This is caused by your battery attempting to ‘overcharge’ itself (trying to recharge more energy than it can hold). This is often as a result of a fault in the charging system that needs to be addressed, otherwise the same thing is likely to happen to a brand new battery!
This can also be detected visually, as in some cases this can cause the case of the battery itself to bulge. In this situation it is strongly recommended to bring your car to a qualified expert, as the swelling and the smell coming from the battery is caused by the sulfuric acid inside the casing.
How does a car battery work?
A lead acid car battery stores energy created by your car’s alternator. This is done with a series of lead plates that are found inside the battery’s housing and a diluted form of sulfuric acid, which react when the electric current is live, storing the energy that is produced and ‘charging’ your battery. The battery can then supply this power as and when it’s required.
Over time the chemical reactions lose effectiveness as the lead and acid become less reactive, which is why car batteries lose charge faster and retain less power after several years of usage. Car batteries can usually last anywhere between three and seven years, depending on the usage they receive.
How do car batteries die?
When the car is running the alternator makes sure that the battery stays charged, but when the car is stationary the battery can quite easily go flat. Many people find that as the temperature drops their car has more trouble starting up- that is because it is too cold for the necessary chemical reaction to take place that make batteries work and in many cases, the cold can drain all the power held in a battery! Additionally, the first day back to work after the Christmas holidays is the most common day for flat batteries. Heat is also bad for batteries too- it speeds up corrosion inside the battery and ‘ages’ them faster.
For many a drained battery can be something as simple as forgetting to switch the lights off when you leave your car, or listening to the radio for long periods without leaving the engine running.
How does a car’s battery recharge?
A car’s battery uses an alternator to recharge; the alternator is a motor that works when the engine is running, recharging the car’s battery as it goes. It works similarly to a generator, using fuel to generate energy, and making sure that the car battery has enough power to run all the electrical components in your car.
As your car’s battery gets older and has been used extensively it will find it increasingly difficult to hold the charge that it creates, which is what causes a battery to become obsolete.
What does a car battery power?
The most important job that a car battery performs is starting the engine. Once the engine is running the alternator generates more energy, which is stored by the battery. However because the alternator does not run while the car’s engine is switched off, so the ignition system uses power that is stored in the battery.
While the engine is switched off, the power stored in your car’s battery is used for powering all of your car’s electrics including the radio, windows or anything you might be powering or charging from your car’s cigarette lighter, which is why you don’t want to run any electrical systems in your car for too long while the engine isn’t running; you run the risk of draining the battery and then not having enough power left to start the engine again to recharge the battery!
Car battery replacement at CarFix Garage Mechanics London
How to change a car’s battery can differ across models and if your car has a start-stop system, you might even be required to reprogram the car when a new battery has been installed. That’s why when you bring your vehicle to CarFix Garage we have the skills, equipment and experience necessary to change your battery without a hitch, with fitting included in the price as standard on all batteries.
All batteries replaced at CarFix Garage are recycled and undergo a process to ensure that they are taken care of in the most environmentally-friendly way possible. Even if you replace your car battery yourself, we’ll be happy to take in your old battery and make sure that it is recycled safely and responsibly.
How can I tell when my car battery is dying and I need a replacement?
There are a number of signs to look out for when your car’s battery needs replacing:
If the battery is flat, it will have trouble starting the car's engine; sometimes this is accompanied by a clicking noise from the starter motor. You might find that the electric components in your car aren't working as well as they should be - problems with the lights, radio, air conditioning and even wipers could be attributed to a failing battery.
If the battery has become over-charged you might notice a smell similar to rotting eggs. That is the smell of the acid in your battery boiling over because it cannot cope with the amount of power it is creating. If this happens to your car battery it is recommended that you have it checked immediately to ensure that the sulphuric acid in the battery does not pose a risk to yourself or your car’s internal components.
1. Struggling to start
If your car is struggling to start, you may be hearing some worrying sound when you turn on the ignition. We've put some of these sounds in the video if you wish to compare! If your battery is showing signs of dying you'll notice some warning signs, for example, if it takes a bit longer to start. If you turn your key and hear a clicking sound, this could indicate there isn't enough power at all to start the engine and you may need to jump start your vehicle and likely replace your battery.
2. Electrical systems not working as well normal
While your car battery is needed to start your engine it also powers all the electrical systems within your vehicle. Your windows, seats, wipers, radio etc all rely on the battery. If you notice these are not working as well as normal, possibly more slowly, this could be a sign your battery is on its way out.
3. The condition of your battery
If you suspect your battery may need replacing it will be worth visually checking the condition of the battery. In some instances, batteries can "swell" or give off a smell like rotten eggs. (we explain this in the video below) If this is the case it's likely you will need a new battery.
How much does a new car battery cost?
New car batteries cost, on average, between £60 and £300. Prices of car batteries usually depend on the type and size of battery that your vehicle requires. Use our handy Battery Finder tool at the top of this page to discover what size car battery you need and how much it costs.
Buying a new car battery online from CarFix Garage means that you can make the most of our exclusive online prices. You can even make an appointment at your nearest CarFix Garage centre to get your new car battery fitted today.
Hence, stop searching for ‘car battery free check near me’ and visit us today at Unit 4, 30-100 Colindeep Ln, London, NW9 6HB.
CarFix Garage are the leading experts in automotive parts repair including tyres, MOT , car servicing, collision repair and more. To find out more about car battery replacement in London NW, contact us online here or call us directly on 020 8200 8181
We specialise in bumper repairs, car dents and scratch repairs. We've repaired over 30,000 cars. Fast repairs and conveniently with CarFix Garage in London. Get a quote!
