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.

Toyota

The Toyota Motor Corporation is a Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer, established in 1937, over 80 years ago.

How popular is Toyota in the United Kingdom?

Toyota was the first manufacturer to produce more than 10million vehicles a year, and it has continued to do so since 2012. There are currently 1.7million on the roads in the UK—a number that has shown consistent growth since their introduction to the UK market.

High-quality motoring—right across the board

Toyota’s current range features luxury saloons, hatchbacks and SUVs, all of which are receiving the steady design upgrade from what were once sensible and steady looking vehicles, into sleeker looking executive sports lines, capable of turning heads at every junction.

Toyota: Market leaders in all-electric and hybrid motoring

Worldwide, Toyota is the market leader in hybrid electric vehicle sales. It’s introduction of the Prius in 1997, the first commercially mass-produced vehicle of its kind, set them on their way as leaders in the field. The UK is no exception, as there are over 80k Prius models on our roads.

There’s more to Toyota than good economy and sensible motoring

As much as the modern market leans towards family SUV motoring and super efficient hybrid fuel economy, don’t be fooled into thinking Toyota is stuck into a single groove.

For those who want more excitement than economy from their driving experience, Toyota makes a selection of cars with much more clout than their sensible city options.

Grab a Toyota GR Supra and you’ll be propelled from 0–62mph in 4.3 seconds using every ounce of its 335bhp. If you want a car that was built for fun and have a spare £52k to lose, then why not put one on your shopping list? As with other Toyota models, it offers great value for the amount of car you’ll be getting.

Toyota’s reliability and reputation

Toyota ranked 3rd place out of 30 car brands in the What Car? Reliability Survey in 2018. They were only just pipped at the post, and by less than 1% for the top spot, by Suzuki; 2nd place went to their very own luxury division, Lexus.

Recent Toyota recalls and reliability issues

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

12/05/2019 – Toyota Yaris (2014–2017)

The wire harnesses of the side airbag sensors could crack and the wires may corrode

04/05/2019 – Toyota RAV4 and Toyota Corolla (2018–2019)

The emergency calling system may not be correctly installed

12/01/2019 – Toyota ProAce (2016–2018)

The tightening torque of the threaded connection between the ball joint and knuckle may decrease… and 2 other issues

23/11/2018 – Toyota Aygo (2005–2014)

The glass on the rear door is not properly glued

23/11/2018 – Toyota Yaris, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Picnic and Toyota Avensis (2001–2006)

The ammonium nitrate propellant used in the airbag inflator may degrade over time due to heat cycles

23/11/2018 – Toyota Corolla/Verso and Toyota Avensis (2001–2006)

The airbag control module for the supplemental restraint system has been assembled with application-specific integrated circuits that are susceptible to internal shorting

17/11/2018 – Toyota Auris HV and Toyota Prius/Plus (2010–2014)

Due to a software error in the ECU, the vehicle may not enter in a fail-safe driving mode

16/11/2018 – Toyota GT86 (2012–2013)

Due to a production error of the valve sprint, performance load may exceed the valve spring’s fatigue strength and may fracture

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