How can a battery be replaced unnecessarily?

A car battery that is low on charge can lead to misunderstandings about whether it needs to be replaced or simply recharged. So how can you tell the battery’s condition?

When the battery is low, the dashboard lights may appear dim, the engine may crank with difficulty, or it may not start at all and you may hear a clicking sound… Another possible sign is that the battery/charging warning light comes on. Possible causes include an electrical leak while the car is parked, a faulty alternator, a damaged drive belt, or loose battery terminals.
A battery that is about to fail will show some very distinctive signs. First, the indicator “eye” (on maintenance-free batteries) changes to a warning color. Next, the battery case may bulge, and there may also be a rotten-egg smell caused by acid leaking from the electrolyte.

An accompanying sign is that even when the battery is fully charged, it loses power again very quickly after a short time.

A responsible workshop will thoroughly test it with specialized equipment before advising whether to replace the battery or simply recharge it. The key parameter that determines the battery’s fate is SOH – State of Health (battery health condition).