How long does the battery last in a new car

[kompkar]

Hi Folks

Mine is a 2007 Vectra, I picked it up brand new in Sep-2007. Has been running perfectly fine until yesterday.

I tried to start and it won't, guessing it's the battery that is gone flat. The starter motor seems to be spinning at low power for a few secs and then goes onto ticking kinda noise.

I've heard friends say that car batteries wont last beyond 2-3 years max.

Is that true ?, should I be looking to replace my battery now ?, or is it worth it to buy a charger and try get the battery going again ?

[Handyandy-UK]

I've had the original battery on my 54 plate changed last year (same symptoms).
However, the battery on my previous Omega lasted 7 years that I know of. The one that replaced it lasted about 3 days and the one that replaced that lasted until I got the Vectra 3 years later (might still be working for all I know).
Given that and experience of a few other cars, I'd expect at least 5 years from a battery given regular use and no fault with the car it's on.

(Guarantees tend to be 2-3 years)

I'd get the car running then use a multimeter to check the charging system is working properly before possibly binning a perfectly good battery only to find you have a knackered alternator or something.

[Craig1985]

I would say more chance of the alternator is knackered, rather than the battery. Mines a 07 and alternator packed up just after 3years.

[Big Sig]

Unless marktaylor has since changed the battery in his signum then that one is over 7 years old. But VX batteries only tend to last about 3-4 years and then just die with no warning.

[kompkar]

Thanks guys, is there any way to check if the alternator is shot ?, how much does it cost usually for a new alternator and fitting ?

[CLOMP]

mine is coming up to 7 years old, at 75,000 miles, had it tested two weeks ago, it was as new.

[WilliamLX]

The only time I have had a car battery fail (on any car from the 90s or later) was when the alternator on my Skoda Felicia developed a fault and over charged (before dieing). Other than that I have never had a modern 12v battery fail (even in my caravans that get less than ideal use compared with a car. Battery should last the life of the car.

[Handyandy-UK]

Thanks guys, is there any way to check if the alternator is shot ?, how much does it cost usually for a new alternator and fitting ?

If you don't already have one, invest in a small multimeter.

Then check the battery voltage with the car off and all doors closed.... should be 12v (or very close).
Start the car and check voltage again at idle.... look for 13-14v (or very close).
Get someone to push the revs up to 2000 or so and check the charging voltage rises slightly.

Although not a perfect 'by the book' test, that should give you a decent idea if the charging system is working ok.

[mparks8590]

good advice

also many independent motor shops will test batteries for free

Most batteries i've had have gone awry at between 5 to 6 years

so i routinely replace mine at 5 years before the worst of winter set in

i'd also go with the alternator theory if its about 3 years old--- again good motor shops will test this for you for free in many cases.

cheers

[toddy64]

My cdti is an 04 reg, and the alternator was changed under warranty after nearly 3 years, this failed again a couple of weeks ago. a replacement was fitted by a local auto electrical place for £245, £190 for the part and £45 labour. The only warning I received was the battery light being on all the time. A quick check with a multimeter as per advice on the forum indicated that the battery was fine and the alternator was knacked