Battery Testing
Also called battery check
A battery test measures what the battery can deliver under load, not just the voltage sitting still, which is why a battery can read normal and still fail to start the car. The technician also checks the alternator output and looks for a current drain that flattens the battery overnight. This is a diagnosis, not a repair; it tells you whether replacement is needed and does not fix a starter, wiring or alternator fault on its own.
Signs you need this
- Engine cranks slowly, especially on the first start of the morning
- Car starts fine after a jump but is flat again the next day
- Headlights dim noticeably when the engine is idling
- Dashboard warning light for the battery or charging system
- Clicking sound from under the bonnet instead of cranking
- Battery is more than three years old and starting is getting slower
Not all of these have to be present, and one of them on its own can mean something else entirely. That is what the diagnosis is for.
What the job includes
- Resting voltage and load test on the battery
- Cranking voltage check while the engine is started
- Alternator charging output measured with the engine running
- Visual check of terminals, clamps, case and mounting
- Parasitic drain check where the battery keeps going flat overnight
- Written result with the readings, not just a verdict
How we do it
Record the symptom
We ask when the fault happens, how long the battery has been fitted, and whether lights or accessories were left on.
Test under load
A tester draws current from the battery and records how far the voltage falls, which shows real capacity rather than surface charge.
Check the charging side
Alternator output is measured at idle and at higher revs to confirm the battery is being recharged as you drive.
Explain the result
You get the readings and a clear answer on whether the battery, the alternator or a drain is responsible for the fault.
How we work
The same on every job, which is why we can write it down.
Diagnosis before quote
We find the fault first. A price given over the phone for a noise nobody has heard is a guess.
The price is agreed first
You approve the work and the cost before a spanner is picked up. Extra work means another call.
Parts you can check
We tell you whether a part is genuine, OEM, aftermarket or used, and what each one costs.
Old parts returned
Ask and we will hand back whatever we replaced. It is the simplest proof that the job was done.
Book battery testing
Fill this in and a person will call you back to confirm the time and the price. Only your name and one way to reach you are required.
You send this
Takes a minute. No payment, no obligation.
We call you
To confirm the car, the time and the location.
Tell us the car and the symptom
We will arrange a mechanic at your location, or a slot at the nearest workshop. No payment until the price is agreed.