Average Lifespan of a Car Battery
Average Lifespan of a Car Battery


How long do car batteries last?

If it's been a few years since you replaced your car battery, you might ask yourself that very question. One of the things drivers dread most is walking out to their car and trying to turn it on—only to find out that the battery has gone dead!

The average car battery will last you longer than you might think. You can expect about 3 to 5 years out of a car battery. For UK motorists, a well-maintained car battery is part of every MOT check as part of a safe, legal, and roadworthy vehicle.

However, a number of factors can affect how long your car battery will ultimately last. It depends on everything from where you bought the battery to what you do to maintain it.

The answers to the following questions will help determine how much life you'll get out of your car battery. You can also use led light bars for the money to improve the life span of your car battery

What Kind of Car Battery Do You Have?

The average car battery costs anywhere from $50 all the way up to more than $200. You might also be forced to pay between $90 and more than $300 if you have a luxury car.

When you're shopping for a car battery, you might be tempted to purchase one that falls on the lower end of the price spectrum to save some money. But you might be making a mistake when you do it.

While there are some decent car batteries that you can get for under $100, the majority of the batteries that are that cheap will only last you a little while. You might only get a couple of years out of them before you need to do a car battery replacement.

Look specifically for batteries that are designed to last for a long time. This product is a good example of a battery that should last longer than the average car battery when you use it properly.

How Often Do You Drive Your Car?

Do you spend two hours driving to and from work each and every day? You're going to put a huge strain on almost every part inside your car, including your battery.

As you would expect, you'll have to do a lot of maintenance on your vehicle to keep it in tip-top shape for your commute. You'll also find yourself asking, "How long do car batteries last?" a lot more often than other drivers since it'll seem like yours is always giving out.

At the same time, it's also not suitable for a car to sit for an extended period without it being started. When this happens, it's not uncommon for the battery inside of it to drain all the way down.

If you allow your car to sit in one spot for days or weeks at a time, get into the habit of going out and starting it occasionally. It'll work wonders for the longevity of your battery.

Do You Take a Lot of Short Trips?

To keep your car up and running for a longer period of time, you might limit the number of long trips you take in it. You might even restrict the use of your car to short trips only.
  • In theory, this makes sense. Shorter trips should equal less wear and tear on your car.
  • The short trips will be good for some of the other aspects of your car. But not your battery!
When you first start up your car, it uses most of the electricity stored in your battery. Your battery then recharges while you're out driving your car around. But if you only drive it for a few minutes, your battery won't get the chance to recharge as it should.

It's OK to take short trips in your car occasionally. But if that's almost all you're doing, it's going to drain your battery, and you'll need to replace it much sooner than expected.

What Is the Weather Like in Your Area?

Car batteries don't perform well in extreme temperatures. If it's too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter, you might have trouble getting your battery to spring into action.

There are some simple steps you can take to prevent the weather from harming your battery. When it's hot outside, avoid parking your car directly in the sun. And when it's cold, keep snow and ice from building up on your car and park it in a garage or other covered area whenever possible.

Doing these things can prevent the temperature outside from wreaking havoc on your battery. When it's not exposed to extreme weather, it'll last longer and stay more assertive.

Do You Maintain Your Car Battery?

If you know a lot about cars, you might not do any maintenance on your battery. You might even think that it would be dangerous for you to try to maintain it.

But that isn't true. You can and you should maintain your car battery early and often.

One easy way to do it is to clean away any corrosion that builds up on your battery's terminals. Mix baking soda and water together and use a toothbrush to clean the terminals if you notice corrosion.

This will maintain your car battery's connection and ensure that corrosion doesn't play a role in your car breaking down on you. Another way is to visit professionals who can make sure your car battery is functioning optimally. For example, it is a car battery repair company that deals with poorly functioning batteries all the time, and they can tell you the importance of keeping your battery well maintained.

So, How Long Do Car Batteries Last? It All Depends

Many drivers do next to nothing to maintain their car batteries, and they also don't adopt the right driving habits to keep their batteries going.

These people are often the first ones to ask, "How long do car batteries last?" out of frustration when a battery dies again. Prevent yourself from becoming this kind of person by maintaining your car battery and replacing it with a high-quality battery when the time comes.

The lifespan of a car battery can vary based on a few important factors:

  1. Average Lifespan: Most car batteries last 3-5 years. However, this can depend heavily on usage, climate, and maintenance habits.

  2. Battery Type: Standard lead-acid batteries tend to have shorter lifespans compared to AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) or lithium batteries, which may last longer with proper care.

  3. Driving Frequency: Regular use keeps the battery charged, while infrequent driving can lead to discharge over time. Using a battery maintainer or trickle charger helps if you don't drive often.

  4. Short Trips: Frequent short trips prevent the battery from fully charging, potentially shortening its life. Consider taking longer drives occasionally to maintain charge.

  5. Climate Impact: Hot weather speeds up internal corrosion, while cold weather reduces capacity. Extreme climates often mean replacing batteries more frequently.

  6. Maintenance: Cleaning terminals, checking fluid levels (for non-sealed batteries), and watching for corrosion can extend a battery's life.


Read our blog to learn how to choose the right auto repair shop when you need help with a car battery or another car problem.