Clarios has issued a warning that pre-winter checks are particularly important this year, as the onset of cold weather is more likely to result in a battery failure.
Most private vehicles have been clocking up fewer miles in 2020, due to COVID-19 lockdowns and a drop in commuter journeys, resulting in batteries facing several major challenges all at once this year.
Andy Cook, a battery expert with Clarios, which includes the Varta brand, explained: “Having a check carried out in the workshop is important. Batteries face greater demands than ever before, as they have to serve increasingly complex and power-hungry car electronics.
“By the time winter comes, older batteries are close to their limit. With the possibility of severe winters becoming more frequent due to climate change, this could be the perfect storm for UK motorists.”
Car owners cannot always rely on their vehicle starting. According to Clarios, even before COVID-19, 34% of batteries tested in Europe, were no longer in good condition.
Andy continued: “Battery failures account for close to 40% of all UK breakdowns last year. There is now a greater number of cars over 13 years old on UK roads, in which the battery has either never been changed or was changed a long time ago. It is unlikely this will change in the short term, as more car owners are postponing plans to buy a new car because of the uncertain economic situation.”
He added: “Visiting a VARTA partner workshop ensures that the old batteries are properly disposed of and the intelligent electronic systems in the vehicle do not lose any data when changing the battery.”
