How do I know it’s the battery?

The usual signs are clicking when you turn the key or press start, dim or flickering dashboard lights, or no response at all. If the engine turns over slowly and gives up, it’s probably the battery. If it turns over at normal speed but won’t fire, the problem is likely to be something else.

What should I do after a jump start?

Keep the engine running and drive for at least half an hour, ideally on a faster road rather than in stop-start traffic, so the alternator can put charge back. Then have the battery tested. One that went flat for no obvious reason will often do it again.

Can a jump start damage my car?

Not when it’s done properly. We use a regulated booster pack and connect it to the jump points your car’s maker specifies, which is much kinder to modern electronics than leads from another car.

My car has stop-start. Is that different?

The jump start itself is the same, but cars with stop-start use AGM or EFB batteries, which are more expensive and need the right replacement. If yours needs a new one, make sure it’s the correct type.

Car Jump Start London | 24/7 Flat Battery Help

Jump starts and flat batteries

Flat battery on the driveway or in a car park? We jump-start it where it stands, and recover it if the battery won’t hold.

Professional booster pack, no second car needed

Driveways, streets and underground car parks

Recovery to a garage if the battery won’t hold

A flat battery is the most common reason a car won’t start, and the quickest to put right. Cold mornings, short journeys, a light left on or a car that’s been parked for a few weeks will all do it. We come out with a professional booster pack, start your car where it is, and if the battery won’t hold, we can take the car to a garage on the same visit.

Signs it’s the battery

Clicking, a single clunk, or nothing at all when you turn the key or press start
The engine turns over slowly, then stops
The dashboard lights are dim, flicker or go out when you try to start
The key fob or central locking has stopped working
The car has been standing for a week or more, or something was left on

If the engine spins at normal speed but won’t catch, a jump start probably won’t help. Read our guide to why a car won’t start, or call us and we’ll talk it through.

Why a booster pack rather than another car

Jump leads from another car can send a spike through both cars’ electronics, and they need two cars parked nose to nose, which isn’t always possible in a London street or a tight car park. A booster pack gives a regulated current, connects to the jump points your car’s maker specifies, and fits wherever a person can walk, including underground car parks where a truck can’t go.

Hybrids and electric cars

Hybrid and electric cars have a small 12-volt battery that wakes up the rest of the car. If it’s flat, the car won’t switch on, even if the main battery is full. We can usually boost it by following the maker’s procedure. The main drive battery can’t be jump-started; if that’s empty, see electric car recovery.

When a jump start isn’t enough

If the car won’t start, or dies again soon after, the battery may be past saving or the alternator may not be charging it. Rather than leave you stuck twice, we can carry the car to your garage, a battery specialist or your home there and then.