Drivers who have car which is five years old face charge of '£300 plus'

Drivers who have a five-year-old car have been warned over a smell which means they face having to replace batteries. Modern vehicles have over 200 electronic control units and all of these place increasing demands on your battery, even when you’re parked.

A lack of battery maintenance can lead to a shorter lifespan, and batteries will automatically lose some charge over time anyway, it has been warned. Sam Sheehan from the used vehicle retail platform Cinch: "Signs that a battery needs replacing include when your car struggles to start (or doesn’t start at all) and underpowered electrics (such as dim headlights or weak heaters).

"If your engine smells like rotten eggs, this could be caused by a potentially dangerous problem with the battery, so make sure to get it checked out as soon as possible." Halfords explained: "Most car batteries are designed to last between five and seven years, so a struggling battery could simply be a sign that yours is approaching the end of its life.

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"You can check the age of your battery by finding the date that it was manufactured, which is stamped on the battery itself. If your battery needs replacing, then our vehicle registration checker will help you to find the perfect fit for your car.

"We also offer various fitting options for a small fee, including via our Halfords Mobile Experts who’ll fit it right on your drive or at your workplace." It said: "Keeping your battery healthy can also save you money on repairs or replacements.

"With the uncertainty of the cost of living crisis, we know that you’ll be keen to save as and when you can." This depends on all the factors above, but good quality batteries start around £100. For a few deluxe and unusual vehicles, they can be £300 plus.