MP3s, sat navs and mobile chargers add to winter battery toll

As many as 3.7 million drivers could be cursing their iPods, sat navs and mobile phone chargers this winter as electronic devices sap car batteries of their reserves, according to Kwik-Fit.

The car repairs specialist says the increasing number of electronic gadgets used in cars is draining batteries of the extra power normally reserved for starting cars during the cold winter months. It says as many as one in six drivers (around 17 per cent) will break down this winter with a flat battery and this figure could rise even higher as motorists keep expanding their in-car entertainment options.

David White, customer services director at Kwik-Fit, commented: “Millions of motorists on long journeys this Christmas will be packing their cars with iPods, sat nav systems and TVs and DVD players. Charging these puts more strain on your battery and those which haven’t been recently checked will have an even higher chance of failing.”

Despite the fact that winter accounts for millions of car battery failures, Kwik-Fit’s survey shows that 13.7 million UK motorists (50%) never get the condition of their car battery checked over for winter, even though one-in-four admitted they’ve broken down due to wintry conditions. Moreover, 3.8 million UK motorists (16%) mistakenly thought that batteries are checked as part of an MOT.

Further results show that over 3.5 million motorists, the equivalent of 15% of all car owners, run even greater risk of winter breakdown as their car battery exceeds the average five years life expectancy.

To stop motorists being caught short this winter Kwik-Fit is urging motorists to take advantage of its free, no obligation state-of-the-art electronic battery check. Motorists that require a new battery can take advantage of Kwik-Fit’s discounted battery range, which starts from £24-95.

David White added: “Motorists have a natural apathy when it comes to checking the condition of their car battery and most likely other vital parts of their cars too. The winter weather takes a greater toll on many car parts – so it’s even more essential to ensure that everything is in good working order at this time of year.”