With winter coming on I was wondering how long I should expect my battery to last? The one in my Discovery is still going strong after 5 years, but there is virtually no electric trickery in the Disco! 1998 300TDi Auto Disco, never to be forgotten.
2008 Auto TD4 Freelander2, now gone?
2013 Auto SD4 Freelander!
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I would say 5 years is a fair average life unless there are charging issues, even the cheapest batteries I would expect to get to that level.

Have known plenty of batteries lasting ten or more years, will depend on so many variables, if you are concerned get it tested to highlight any weaknesses.

some garages will just do a high rate discharge test, not recommended, all it will tell you is that if you short it out long enough it will die. Find someone who can test electronically. Paul Redding
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It's a bit like saying how long is a piece of string.
There are no hard and fast rules regarding battery life, some as said before, will give many years of serviceable life. My old Mums battery in her Metro was still good after 15 years! Some batteries may only last a few months until a cell goes down.

You've no need to worry about 'electric trickery', the current drain of which is only mA and the quiescent drain is carefully controlled. The big current draw comes from the starter motor and heating elements. This is why short runs in the winter are not good for battery voltage; not only does the battery suffer from low temperatures, but engine oil becomes thicker and the starter motor has to work harder.

I've lost count of the number of folk who've changed a battery when an overnight trickle charge would suffice  Another member of the failed FL2 clutch/DMF club, twice.

My 3 1/2 year old battery is showing signs of degradation and will be replaced before the winter.

I tend to view them as 3 year interval service items to be honest. Better that than dealing with a non-start.

Andy 2011 MY SD4 HSE + planning some interesting stuff
Previously: 2004 Discovery Td5 ES Premium + lots of stuff
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Mine is 6 years old. It began to groan in the mornings, then I used a ctek on it and it's been fine.

Mine is 4 years old, groans a bit on cold mornings, my stop start doesn't work so I think the battery is on it's way out. But it still starts the car ok. I will change it before next winter, unless it fails before then. Black MY2013 SD4 GS Auto, Wood Company Armrest, Freel2 sticker.
Gone MY2010 Freelander 2 Manual TD4.e S, Alaska White.

To some extent it depends on how long you want to keep the car. If the battery is getting g a bit tired - ie losing its charge overnight - it's not really a problem so long as it will still start the car, especially if you can charge it overnight. However if you are going to keep the car a couple of years it makes sense to get a new battery now and enjoy the benefit of it, rather than finding you have to shell out shortly before selling. In the old days bump starting and tow starting were nice and easy, but that gets harder and harder with modern electronics and fail-safe systems, and of course can't be done on an auto.

The ctek can revive a failing battery. The MXS25 I've got wasn't cheap, cost more than a new battery, but a very good bit of kit.