Garages urged to introduce routine battery checks
Garages have been encouraged to add battery checks to their routine services and MOT tests. This is because batteries might have been damaged by lack of usage during lockdown.
At the height of the coronavirus pandemic, it is estimated that around 70% of the UK’s cars remained immobile. Now a study led by leading battery manufacturer Yuasa has found that that roughly one in 10 vehicles that enter a workshop will require a replacement battery.
Typically, a battery check, which takes less than a minute to complete, can be carried out before any service work is undertaken, or can easily be incorporated into the MOT process while battery security is checked. The customer can then be informed if a replacement is required and a new battery fitted.
James Hylton, managing director of GS Yuasa Battery Sales, said: “Garages and workshops should be checking the battery on every vehicle that comes through the door, be it for an MOT, servicing or repair.
“It’s well documented that extended periods of inactivity can have a detrimental effect on a car’s battery. As lockdown has been gradually eased, we’ve seen an increase in battery failure and encourage all garages and workshops to incorporate a simple battery check into all vehicles they see.”
