My Caterham had a new battery in March 2009, just over 8 years ago, it had 22563 miles on the clock. Battery is still fine (fingers crossed) and the car has now done 34447 miles. That is about 1500 miles a year. The car is fitted with a Denso alternator off a 1988 Daihatsu Charade GTTI and I use a trickle charger regularly when the car is not being used. I always take the battery off the car in winter and store it indoors.
For the record the battery is an Exide Premium and it is the longest lasting by far. Previous best was a Hoppekke which lasted 5 years.
Well it had to happen after posting the above last month. Took car for MOT on Saturday, all fine and passed. Got car out yesterday to go a drive and after turning over slowly for a couple of seconds totally dead. Voltage was still 12.5 after the first attempt but on turning the key the voltmeter dropped to 8.5 volts indicating a cell failure.
Time for a new one after about 8 1/2 years.
Looked on the internet, An Exide like I had fitted was £83 from Euro Car Spares but they were closed Sunday. Another local factor wanted £88 for one. Halfords wanted £85 for a slightly more powerful Yuasa with a 5 year warranty so though I would go and get one. On the way to Halfords dropped into the local factors with no real hope of getting a better deal. Came out with an identical Yuasa to the Halfords one with a 5 year warranty for £57 after the £6 allowance for the old battery. No mention of mileage or use pattern, just a "keep your receipt for the warranty".
Bolted it on, started engine and went for a drive. Happy days ahead I hope.
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