6 minute read|14th Jan 2026
Is your car refusing to start? You may be experiencing a flat or dead battery. It's a frustrating experience and one of the most common causes of a breakdown in the UK.
A flat battery can be caused by extreme weather, battery age, repeated short journeys or a fault with the vehicle.
Whether you are at home or away, you might not realise your battery is going flat until it's too late.
In this guide, we give you the know how to diagnose and fix a dead battery. We'll also tell you how to prevent a flat battery from occurring in the first place and how you can stop your car from losing charge.
Book a car battery replacement with RAC Mobile Mechanics.
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If you have a flat or dead battery, it's important to stay calm and take the following steps to fix the problem.
Are the car dashboard warning lights on? Do the interior lights and electric windows work? Is the central locking operating as it should?
If you answered no to any of the above questions, your battery might be flat. However, there are a few things to remember:
If your car battery is flat or dead, you could try jump starting the vehicle to bring it back to life.
To jump start the car, you'll need:
If you are unsure how to jump start your car, contact RAC Breakdown or call 0330 159 1111, we’ll be happy to help even if you’re not a member.
Remember, jump starting a vehicle can cause serious damage to your car and its battery if not performed correctly. If a car is broken down due to a flat battery, please call the RAC.
If you wish to jump start the car yourself, follow our how to jump start a car video guide, which explains everything you need to do in 10 simple steps.
If you cannot jump start the car or you continue to experience problems starting the vehicle, you may need to replace the battery.
Over time, a car battery will lose its ability to hold a charge. Batteries typically last three to five years, but the following reasons can shorten battery life:
You can have a high-quality car battery fitted at your home or work with RAC Mobile Mechanics.
If your car battery is flat, you may be able to recharge it. RAC Shop sells a range of chargers that will recharge your battery.
After you’ve given us a call on 0330 159 1111, there are a couple of important things you can do while you wait for us to arrive.
First, don’t attempt to start the engine or jump start your car yourself. You should also switch off any electrics in the car – such as radios, dash cams, chargers etc.
This will let our patrols test your battery correctly and help get your car up and running quickly.
Jump-starting isn’t difficult, but connecting the leads in the wrong order can damage the car’s electrical system or cause sparks. If you’re not confident, it’s best not to chance it — one mistake can create a bigger issue than a flat battery.
Nick Mullender
Lead RAC Mobile Mechanic
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Our technicians will test your battery to see if it’s faulty and if it needs to be replaced. They’ll only recommend a new battery if it’s absolutely necessary.
We’ll fit a high-quality battery with a warranty, and under our price match guarantee.
If your existing battery is in good shape, we’ll jump start your car and have you back on the road in no time.
Our patrols use advanced battery testers to check if:
We can also see if there’s a problem with your car’s charging and starter system. Our state of the art battery tester can even highlight if a specific device in your car is draining the battery.
Technicians will talk you through the test results which can be printed on the roadside, whilst we're attending your breakdown at home, or sent to you by email.
High-quality batteries fitted at your home
Skip the garage hassle – RAC Mobile Mechanics come to you!
RAC Mobile Mechanics are rated EXCELLENT and 5 stars on Trustpilot.
Get a quote
Batteries typically last for up to five years. However, this can vary depending on the quality of the battery and how your vehicle is used and maintained.
Frequent, short journeys prevent your battery from fully charging, eventually reducing charge capacity over time. Infrequent use of your car could also mean that your battery deteriorates faster.
If you can park your car in a garage, you’ll also protect your battery from the elements. Cold, flat batteries are one of the main reasons our patrols are called out during winter months. Car batteries can often be repaired, or in many cases, they are replaced.
Common causes that cause batteries to go flat include:
If healthy batteries go repeatedly flat this can affect their ability to hold charge in the long term.
For advice on how to keep your battery healthy from home, discover the ways to make your car last longer.
If you need any other help, contact your local mobile mechanic.
If your car battery keeps dying or electrical systems are acting up, it could be a faulty alternator
RAC Mobile Mechanics are rated EXCELLENT and 5 stars on Trustpilot.
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