What does a car battery do?

The car battery is responsible for powering all of the electric components in your car. As well as the lights, stereo, windscreen wipers, etc. it is also responsible for powering the ignition system that starts your engine and keeps it running.

How often should a car battery need replacing?

A car battery is to have an expected lifespan of between 4 to 6 years. This is dependent on several factors, for example, the quality of the battery, weather conditions, vehicle type, driving habits, and vehicle type.

The law, vehicle regulations, and your MOT

The physical condition of your battery will not cause your car to fail an MOT, but if the car won’t start, run or operate the electrical components properly because of your battery, then that will.

What happens when we replace your car battery?

• Our efficient and fully qualified mechanics will inspect your battery for correct operation, signs of corrosion and will be load tested to ascertain its ability to retain charge.
• Wherever required your battery will be replaced and you’ll be advised of any other connected or associated problems arising from its malfunction.
• You will also be advised of any other parts, for example, the cables, that may need to be replaced for the best operation and health of your vehicle.
• Once the battery has been replaced, our mechanics will test it thoroughly to ensure the correct running of your car and make any adjustments required for its premium operation.

What causes a car battery to stop working correctly?

Your battery is continually being charged by your car’s alternator while driving, so it’s only through damage or that it has reached the end of its operational life, that it will fail to hold its charge.

On occasions when there has been excessive electrical use without your battery being recharged, your battery will be drained. A drained battery will only require a recharge unless the battery is faulty and its failed operation was instrumental to the drain.

After prolonged use, a car battery can leak the acid that holds the electrical charge. This liquid will turn to a white or bluish powder where it dries, so is fairly easy to spot.

Eventually, a battery will simply reach the end of its life. At this point, it’s time to organise a replacement.

Symptoms of a malfunctioning car battery

If your car won’t start

If your car doesn’t start when you turn the ignition switch, especially when the engine doesn’t make any attempt to turn over, your battery could be flat.

None of the electrical components work

If the lights, fan, radio or any other electrical components in your car don’t turn on or operate, then your battery could be drained or damaged.

The terminals are corroded

If the terminals (connection points) on your battery are corroded, then your battery is likely to be damaged or worn out.

Your battery has powdery deposits on it

If there are white or blueish powdery deposits on any parts of the battery, this is a sign of acid leaking and incorrect operation of your battery.

Peugeot

Peugeot is a French automotive manufacturer, initially founded in 1810 as a manufacturer of coffee and bicycles that went on to build internal combustion engine cars from 1890.

How popular is Peugeot in the United Kingdom?

With possibly its strongest model line-up in years, Peugeot is looking to turn around its current dip in vehicle numbers on the UK roads today. After a steady rise over the decade from 1995 to 2005, from 1.1million to 2.1million, the current tally has slowly dropped to a mere 1.8million—a strong total despite the depreciation in numbers.

A mixed range of sensibly priced cars

With 21 standard vehicle models available from the full Peugeot line-up, that’s a lot of choice when buying a car.

Without doubt, it’s their SUV offerings that are leading the way; the innovation and technology applied to these stronger models will hopefully be developed through the rest of the range, bringing them into line with what the buying public expect from their motoring today.

The modern Peugeot: executive styling in the making

Catering for city driving, Peugeot has smaller models available that include the 108 city car and the 208 supermini, next up is the 308 hatchback, and then the majority of the models in today’s line-up is their range of SUVs.

However, the 508 saloon, featuring fastback type styling, has grown into an attractive low-slung 5-door coupé. More cars like this could enhance Peugeot’s positioning away from the mid-stream and into executive status.

The historic and iconic Peugeot 205 GTI

It was in the 1980s when the 205 was introduced and seemed responsible for turning around the success of the company. The supermini model was applauded for its style and handling, which led to sales topping 50k units a year.

In 1984 the GTI was launched with a 1.6-litre engine; soon followed by a 1.9-litre model. The high-performance hatchback set standards in thrill-seeking for younger drivers everywhere.

Could the new range of SUVs be responsible for another similarly styled comeback for the French giant?

Peugeot’s reliability and reputation

Peugeot ranked 24th place out of 30 car brands in the What Car? Reliability Survey in 2018. Not the best by any standard, but certainly not the worst available if you’re looking for a trouble-free motoring marque.

Recent Peugeot recalls and reliability issues

Various recalls have been made on Peugeot models throughout their motoring history. The following are a list of the most recent in the UK and Europe.

28/04/2019 – Peugeot 5008 (2018)

The wiring harness on the voltage retaining device may have been inadequately tightened

26/04/2019 – Peugeot Traveller (2015–2018)

Excessive loading of the front suspension could result in loosening and eventual separation of the front wishbone lower ball joints

05/04/2019 – Peugeot Expert, Peugeot Traveller (2015–2018)

The vehicle’s air-conditioning compressor pulley could break and damage other components

30/03/2019 – Peugeot Expert, Peugeot Traveller (2015–2018)

The fastening elements on the steering mechanism are inadequate

30/03/2019 – Peugeot Expert, Peugeot Traveller (2015–2018)

The wishbone mounting brackets on the rear suspension system are incorrectly fixed and can break

08/02/2019 – Peugeot 208 (2018)

The steering column was incorrectly assembled on the shaft of the steering system

04/01/2019 – Peugeot 107 (2005–2013)

It is possible that the blue that adheres the windowpane to the rear door could come loose

07/12/2018 – Peugeot 5008 (2018)

The wheel fastening nuts may have been insufficiently tightened

All recall information sourced from gov.co.uk data.