Guide · Bikes, car gear and travel
How long should a car battery last in Australia?
A car battery bought for around $200 should last about 2 years or more.
A car battery should last years. One that dies early is usually the seller’s problem, so keep the receipt.
That’s our guide, and plenty last longer.
The law doesn’t set a fixed number. Goods have to last as long as a reasonable person would expect, given what they are and what you paid. If it fails sooner through no fault of yours, the shop that sold it has to put it right, even when the maker’s warranty has run out.
Takes a minute. It works out where you stand and what to say.
Is mine still covered?
Our guide to how long a car battery should last, by price:
| Price paid | Should last about |
|---|---|
| Up to $200 | 2 years |
| $200 to $1,000 | 4 years |
| Over $1,000 | 6 years |
For one bought around $200:
- Under 14 months: very likely covered.
- 14 months to 2 years: borderline, so worth asking.
- Over 2 years: harder, but it isn’t a cut-off.
These are guides, not law.
Signs it’s a fault
- It won’t hold a charge after a year or two
- It swells, leaks or has a cracked case
- A load test shows it failing
What usually isn’t covered
- A flat battery from leaving the lights on, or from lots of short drives
- Damage from a faulty alternator you didn’t know about
- A change of mind, misuse, or a fault you knew about when you bought it.
What to do
- Find your proof of purchase. The receipt is best. A bank or card statement, an order email or a warranty registration also works.
- Go back to the shop you bought it from. Not the maker. The shop is responsible, and it can’t send you to the manufacturer instead.
- Say what’s wrong and what you want. For a minor problem, the shop can choose to repair it first. For a major one (it’s unsafe, or you wouldn’t have bought it if you’d known), you choose a refund or a replacement.
- If they say no, go up a step. Ask again politely, in writing if you can, and keep copies. Then contact your state or territory consumer protection agency. If you need to, your state tribunal is the next step.
What to say at the counter
“I bought a car battery here on [date]. [What’s wrong.] It hasn’t lasted as long as I’d reasonably expect for what I paid, so it isn’t of acceptable quality under the Australian Consumer Law. I’d like it repaired, replaced or refunded.”
A tip for a car battery
Ask an independent workshop for a printed load-test result. It’s the strongest evidence you can bring.
Check yours
It's Stuffed works out where you stand, helps you find your proof of purchase and writes what to say. It also keeps your receipts and warranties in one place, so you’re not hunting for them next time.
Common questions
How long should a car battery last?
By our guide, a car battery bought for around $200 should last about 2 years or more, and plenty last longer. The law doesn’t set a fixed number. Goods have to last as long as a reasonable person would expect, given what they are and what you paid.
Does the consumer guarantee still apply to a car battery after the warranty ends?
Yes. They’re separate from the maker’s warranty and from any extended warranty, and they don’t have an end date. What matters is whether it lasted as long as a reasonable person would expect for what it was and what it cost.
Who do I go to if a car battery fails, the shop or the maker?
The shop that sold it. The shop is responsible for putting it right under the consumer guarantees, and it can’t send you to the manufacturer instead.
Do I need the receipt to take a car battery back?
You need proof of purchase, but not the original receipt. A bank or card statement, an order email or a warranty registration can do the job.
More guides
- How long should a dash cam last?
- How long should a bike last?
- How long should an e-bike or e-scooter last?
- How long should tyres last?
- See all guides