Smart/MCC Car Battery replacement made easy

• Mechanic will inspect the electrical system.
• If necessary the battery is replaced
• Mechanic makes sure the battery's cables have not corroded or damaged before putting them back.
• Mechanic tests the battery charging system to confirm it is working as it should be.

• You may initially find that when you unlock the vehicle, the central locking doesn’t work.
• When you turn the key in the ignition, you have no lights on the dashboard.
• When you attempt to start the engine, you get a very slow turn over, nothing at all or just a rapid clicking.

A car battery replacement usually takes under 1 hour, but can take more time. Ultimately, the time that the job will take will depend on a number of factors, like your vehicle's make and model, year, as well as other factors. Select your car at the top of this page for information on job time and cost for your vehicle through ClickMechanic.

Every battery will eventually lose its ability to provide the power for your car and all its electrical parts need to keep working. The problem is that the warning signs might give you very little notice that your car’s battery is about to fail completely.

Battery problems are the most common cause of callouts to vehicle recovery services, accounting for 1 in 5 faults, according to one major motoring organisation.

However, a lot of issues can be caused by incorrect battery replacement sequences. These days it's not always as simple as undoing the old one and popping the new one in its place. Some vehicles require the new battery to be registered and coded to the vehicles computer system for example or windows to be reset etc.

Every time a battery goes “flat”, it can damage the cells in the unit and whilst it may show 12v the actual power of the battery is reduced. Therefore if you are having to get assistance to start a vehicle due to the battery, then you should really consider changing it.

With the newer batteries having higher demands on them, the lifespan has reduced and these batteries may only last 3 years. If you are buying a second hand car for instance, that has an automatic stop/start system, it's worth taking into consideration the cost of buying a new battery and replacing the one installed if it hasn’t been recently done.

Fixing a dead car battery may require replacement of the battery. Average cost for the replacement is £130. Battery prices for vehicles with a stop/start system are usually a bit higher.

You can't technically service a car battery, if it is faulty it is commonly replaced. Cost for a battery replacement will vary between between £100 and £300, if your vehicle has a stop/start system the price could be a little higher.

Your vehicle's manual will have guidance on the correct battery needed for the car. If you are unsure which battery is required, check with a professional mechanic, they will be able to help to identify which battery is needed for the car. Our in-house mechanic team can help find the right battery for you.

If you notice that the engine starts but dies soon after, then the alternator probably isn't keeping the battery charged. When you start up the car and notice that the interior lights are slowly fading, it could also indicate an issue with the alternator.

If you try jump starting the car and it works, it could imply an issue with the battery. However, it is important to note that a dead battery can also be caused by a failing alternator.

To test the starter, put on the headlights, if they don't come on, then the battery is probably flat or dead and may need to be recharged or replaced. If the headlights do come on, then try starting the car. If it still won't start, then the starter motor may be the problem.

If the battery is flat (for reasons such as leaving headlights on) then you can jump leads to jump start it. If the battery is dead, then you will need to replace the battery completely.

Before attempting to jump start your car, first check that the battery is not leaking any acid as it could be a safety hazard. You'll need another person with a car to help as the process of jump starting is a two person job.

• Find the positive and negative terminals on the battery and attach the jump leads.
• The positive terminal will usually be marked with a "+" sign, while the negative terminal will usually be marked with a "-" sign.
• Have the other person start their car and let it run for a few minutes which should help charge up your battery.
• Once your car starts, drive around for 30 mins or so to fully charge up the battery.

If jump starting doesn't work, the problem could be something else and you'll need to seek professional help from a mechanic or technician.

30 minutes of driving should be an adequate time to charge the battery on most modern cars. However, this time can depend on a number of factors. For example, driving 30 minutes on a motorway may be enough to charge the battery while if you're driving around town, it may take 1-3 hours to charge it up.

Most car batteries come with a warranty of 3-5 years, but this can differ based on the manufacturer and the individual warranty conditions.

Typically, a car battery can last for up to 2 to 4 weeks without charging. In the case of relatively new and well-maintained car batteries, they can even last 2 months without a charge.

Yes, many local garages are able to offer collection and delivery for a car battery replacement on your Smart/MCC. With ClickMechanic collection & delivery is free if your vehicle is drivable. Once booked a mechanic will pick up the vehicle on the day and time of your choice, do the work, and return the vehicle at a time convenient to you. Simply enter your vehicle registration number and postcode to get an upfront price for a car battery replacement on your Smart/MCC.

Yes, mobile mechanics can do a car battery replacement at your home or office on your Smart/MCC, provided there is a safe and sufficient space to conduct the repair or replacement. With ClickMechanic, once booked for a date and time of your choice, your booking will be offered to vetted mobile mechanics in your area.