How long does your battery last?

[Hippea]

I have a 2013 Toyota Aygo that still has its original battery, so over 12 years old. Is it worth changing or should I keep going until it dies.

What’s the oldest battery you’ve had?

[rambo19]

Lion battery on my land rover lasted 10 yrs approx.

[ScoobyChris]

Hippea said:

I have a 2013 Toyota Aygo that still has its original battery, so over 12 years old. Is it worth changing or should I keep going until it dies.

What s the oldest battery you ve had?

Our 2010 Pug 107 and (just sold) 2017 BMW are on their original batteries although when I was doing lots of short journeys I did use a trickle charger every so often to keep the BMW topped up.

I remember being told 3-5 years was a good innings for a lead acid battery and that seems to tie with the cars I owned late 90’s early 2000s. Less so now!

Our 2016 Leaf is also on its original battery

Chris

[Smint]

I'd be inclined to swap it just before next winter, unless you carry a jump pack, its had a good innings, Tayna or Battery Megastore (BMS technologies) are two good next day delivery suppliers that are hard to beat for value.

[swisstoni]

In terms of belt and braces approach I would change a battery that old. They aren’t that expensive and sods law means that when it does pack in, it won’t be conveniently parked at home.

But I don’t practice what I preach.

[Hippea]

swisstoni said:

In terms of belt and braces approach I would change a battery that old. They aren t that expensive and sods law means that when it does pack in, it won t be conveniently parked at home.

But I don t practice what I preach.

See the sensible side of me is saying change it as like you say it’s bound to go at the least convenient time. Although, I really would like to see how long it will go for…

[nickfrog]

On the MINI the battery is 8 years old. I regularly condition it for a few hours but I don't know if that makes any difference.

I wonder if it's possible to check battery health with a multimeter? Probably loads of YT guides.

[Tabs]

Wife also has a 2013 Aygo. Starting began to get sluggish in January this year, so changed straight away.
It may be cheaper to change it now, whilst there's no real demand, rather than wait until the next cold snap.

[Smint]

Tabs said:

Wife also has a 2013 Aygo. Starting began to get sluggish in January this year, so changed straight away.
It may be cheaper to change it now, whilst there's no real demand, rather than wait until the next cold snap.

Tends to be how Toyota batteries die.

My first Landcruiser, the batteries never left me stranded but turning over was getting progressively slower.
Current Landcruiser exactly the same, never failed to proceed but getting weaker was obvious.
Twin batteries on both, not as expensive as you might expect.

[Hippea]

Smint said:

Tends to be how Toyota batteries die.

My first Landcruiser, the batteries never left me stranded but turning over was getting progressively slower.
Current Landcruiser exactly the same, never failed to proceed but getting weaker was obvious.
Twin batteries on both, not as expensive as you might expect.

Mine is a bit weird, I have no problems from cold but say I go to the petrol station and get back in it can be sluggish, I’m not even sure it’s the battery it could be the starter

[GeniusOfLove]

Batteries last 10+ years these days, it's one of the many many things that "modern cars are crap" people conveniently forget.

Same goes for wheel bearings, they used to be a common thing to replace but now they're 150k+ items.

[Lester H]

Hippea said:

swisstoni said:

In terms of belt and braces approach I would change a battery that old. They aren t that expensive and sods law means that when it does pack in, it won t be conveniently parked at home.

But I don t practice what I preach.

See the sensible side of me is saying change it as like you say it s bound to go at the least convenient time. Although, I really would like to see how long it will go for

The thing is, you don t know. As posters have said, they are better than they used to be, but they can suddenly die without warning. ( that dreadful clicking sound!).Generally, we don t get the warning we used to from sluggish starting, but on newer cars a failing battery can mess up all sorts of things and result in multiple warning lights. Also you can experience warning lights ‘ crying wolf’ if the system is down on power.

Edited by Lester H on Saturday 19th July 19:05

[CABC]

ScoobyChris said:

Our 2016 Leaf is also on its original battery

Chris

good going. ironically not a car that's good on it's 12v battery.

[Watcher of the skies]

My 2002 MG is still on it's original Yuasa battery. It does live on a ctek conditioner over winter however.

[Bluevanman]

I usually buy batteries that have a 4 year warranty and they all invariably start to fail at just over 4 years

[jeremyc]

Aftermarket battery: warranty period + 1 day.

[119]

A lot depends on type and the charging system or stop/start use i think?

Some makers only allow charge to the battery of about 80% to leave room for regen braking.

[Puddenchucker]

I had an Octavia that was still on its original battery when I sold it at 16 yrs old / 145k miles.

[bimsb6]

GeniusOfLove said:

Batteries last 10+ years these days, it's one of the many many things that "modern cars are crap" people conveniently forget.

Same goes for wheel bearings, they used to be a common thing to replace but now they're 150k+ items.

And exhaust systems , in the old days they might last 2 or 3 yrs before falling apart .

[Monkeylegend]

My 2011 E220CDi was still on it's original battery when I gave it to my son after 324k miles in 2021 and went on for another 3 years.