If your car battery is playing up, a quick fix is a quality battery charger, but the time may have come for a new battery. Without a battery, your car is, quite literally, a non-starter. Turn the ignition key or press the start button, and the car should if the battery is charged, fire into life. If not, you’ll be left feeling just like your car battery: flat.
You probably don’t give the battery a second thought. Because it’s hidden away, either under the bonnet or in the boot, it’s out of sight and out of mind. However, with a lifespan of around five years, you’re likely to require a new battery at some point. Battery faults are the most common cause of breakdowns, so prevention is definitely better than cure.
If you are having battery troubles well before the expected expiry date of a car battery, it may just need reconditioning. Smart battery chargers are able to do this, which we explain in our smart battery charger guide. If your car is struggling to turn over, there’s a warning light on the dashboard, or the battery goes flat after just a few days, it might be time to invest in a new battery. Your local tyre fitters will offer a free battery health check so you’ll know if a replacement is required.
The best car batteries at a glance:
Editor’s choice: Varta Blue Dynamic C22 Car Battery – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best for start-stop system: Yuasa YBX9096 Car Battery – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best on a budget: Powerline 063 Car Battery – Buy now from Amazon UK
The best car batteries
Pros
- Easy to use
- Get the correct part
Cons
- May need Amazon Prime for free delivery
Editor's choice
Blue Dynamic is the name of Varta’s mid-range car batteries, with the C22 designed for small and medium cars. It’s ideal for older cars without a start-stop system.
Pros
- Good value
- OSM quality
Cons
- Unsuitable for start-stop systems
| Voltage: | 12V |
| Cell composition: | Lead-acid |
| Capacity: | 52Ah |
| Current: | 470A |
Best for small cars
This battery is 100 per cent maintenance-free, with Bosch claiming that it is two times more efficient than a standard battery. It’s not suitable for cars with a start-stop system, though.
Pros
- Excellent battery for small cars
- Trusted name
Cons
- Unsuitable for start-stop systems
| Voltage: | 12V |
| Cell composition: | Lead-acid |
| Capacity: | 45Ah |
| Current: | 440A |
Best for start-stop system
Rrp: £225.85
Rrp: £225.85
The Yuasa YBX9096 can handle up to 360,000 engine starts and is engineered for cars with start-stop technology. When you discover that the cheaper and smaller Yuasa YBX1000 battery can tackle 20,000 engine starts, you can see the importance of choosing a battery that’s fit for purpose.
Pros
- Designed for start-stop
- 360,000 engine starts
Cons
- Needs to be programmed to the ECU
| Voltage: | 12V |
| Cell composition: | AGM |
| Capacity; | 70Ah |
| Current: | 760A |
Best on a budget
It’s a relatively new brand, but the customer reviews are positive. Given the low prices, a Powerline car battery could make good financial sense if you don't do huge mileage.
Pros
- Budget price
- Good value
Cons
- Won't last as long as others here
| Voltage: | 12V |
| Cell composition: | Wet |
| Capacity: | 32Ah |
| Current: | 250A |
Best for large cars
Rrp: £372.23
Rrp: £372.23
It uses AGM or Absorbent Glass Mat technology, which allows larger quantities of energy to pass through. This provides superior power to support the electrical demands of modern vehicles. Bosch rates the performance during cold starts and resistance to deep cycles as ‘excellent’, which makes the S5 A08 superior to other Bosch batteries.
Pros
- Latest battery technology
- Excellent battery performance
Cons
- Overkill for many cars
| Voltage: | 12V |
| Cell composition: | AGM |
| Capacity: | 70Ah |
| Current: | 760A |
Car batteries: what you need to know
If your car has a start-stop system, make sure the battery is up to the task. Equally, a bigger car with a larger engine will require a battery that’s fit for purpose, regardless of whether it features modern tech. That said, don’t go overboard. A mid-range or even budget-brand battery could be suitable for an older car with a small engine.
It’s important to buy the right battery for your car. Fortunately, Amazon allows you to search for car batteries and other parts using your registration plate so you can be sure that the battery will fit your car. Don’t just buy on price; you should consider the brand as well as its performance in cold weather.
Although we wouldn’t recommend stockpiling car batteries, you should plan ahead. Get a battery tester and use it from time to time. A good battery should last around five years, so start considering a new one after four years.
Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for Parkers and CAR, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. With an MA in Automotive Journalism, when he’s not testing buckets he can be found looking at old Porsches.
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