Canberra is a city that has come to rely heavily on cars – a survey of household travel in the ACT and Queanbeyan region showed that around 95% of households own at least one car, and each day just under a million car journeys are made across Canberra. And, according to the NRMA’s reports on callouts in recent years, car batteries were the top contributor to car breakdowns.
Be it age, overuse, extreme weather or you simply forgot to turn off your headlights, car batteries can often breakdown, and sometimes we need to be able to rely on mobile car battery services in order to keep our lives moving. Luckily for us, Canberra is home to multiple roadside assistance services who offer mobile car battery recharge and on-the-spot replacement at any time of day. But what makes a car battery service great, and how can you decide who to call when your jumper cables aren’t quite doing the trick?
In this article, we’ll give you a list of a few criteria to look for in a great mobile car battery repair services, as well as a handy guide to some of Canberra’s favourites so that you know who to go to in the event of a roadside emergency.
What makes a great mobile car battery repair service?
Whether your battery needs recharging or replacing, the last thing anyone wants is an unreliable and ineffective mobile car battery repair service. So, here are the most important things to keep in mind when looking for a service to help you with your emergency:
- 24/7 availability. While we can always take measures to make sure our car batteries are in good health before we get out on the road, vehicles can be unpredictable, and your battery might fail you anywhere and at any time. No one wants to be stuck on the side of the road or without a vehicle for longer than necessary, so it’s in your best interests to look for a service that is available 24/7.
- Reasonably priced. It’s stressful enough to be in any kind of roadside emergency without also having to worry about a n enormous financial burden – if you’re able to, ask your service for a cost estimate or if your insurance will cover the cost, and see if they’re right for you.
- Optional towing. While all services will strive to resolve your issue on-site, this might not always be possible. However, a great mobile car battery service will be able to anticipate any situation and be able to help tow your car and provide you transport to your next location.
- Friendly and professional. In the event of a breakdown, you might be feeling stressed or upset – a great mobile car battery service will do whatever they can to make you feel comfortable in the knowledge that you are in capable hands
The best mobile car battery repair services in Canberra
RiotACT’s editorial team has combed through 20 years of on-site comments to compile a list of the most recommended businesses according to you.
To be listed in our Best of Canberra series, each business needs to have consistently received positive feedback on RiotACT and Facebook as well as maintaining a minimum average of 4/5 stars on Google
Road Help: The Roadside Assistance
The Roadside Service offers 24/7 emergency service with a price-beat guarantee. If you have a flat battery, the Roadside Assistance battery team can test your battery, give you a jumpstart, or even replace your battery on the spot.
As Google reviewer Abhinit Kharel writes, “Best service – had a problem with battery, they fixed it up and gave a good suggestion. Thank you, guys.”
Canberra Mobile Batteries
Canberra Mobile Batteries is a locally owned and fully insured service that offers 24/7 emergency assistance. As the name would suggest, the team at Canberra Mobile Batteries are fully equipped for emergency jumpstarts and battery replacements.
As Google reviewer and Local Guide Maria Caggiano writes, “Absolutely awesome service. Mat was professional, prompt and courteous. I highly recommend this company. Very well priced! If I could rate Mat and Canbra more than 5 stars I would!
BatteryWorld
BatteryWorld is only a phone call away with their battery repair service. Their team of expert mechanics will come to you and test and fit a new battery to get you on your way ASAP. Available 24/7, BatteryWorld’s mobile assistance service is equipped to check or fit a battery or complete a jumpstart to get you moving again.
See what Rachael Horsbrugh had to say about their experience with BatteryWorld’s mobile service in this Google review, “One of the best retail experiences ever. The staff couldn't be more helpful, and they had tested my car battery, installed a new one and had me on way in less than 20 minutes!! Highly recommend the team.”
Mobile Mechanic in Canberra
Mobile Mechanic in Canberra offers a comprehensive range of vehicle servicing and boasts a team of qualified and experienced mechanics on the road with fully equipped vans that can come replace your battery for you, wherever you are.
Josie Warren wrote the following about their experience with Mobile Mechanic in this Google review, “Great experience with these mechanics. They really went out of their way to help me at such short notice.”
Are you looking for more emergency vehicle assistance? Check out our articles on the best roadside asistance & wrong fuel recovery services, the best towing companies and the best car service centres in Canberra for some useful information.
Your experience with mobile car battery repair services in Canberra
Thanks to our commenters who have provided insightful feedback, if you believe we have got it wrong, please let us know.
Have you had experience with any of the car battery repair services listed above? If so, share your feedback in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my car battery dies while I’m driving?
Firstly, put on your hazard lights to alert traffic around you, and try and find a safe place to pull over, either off the road or in the emergency break down lane. Once you’ve exited your car, it’ll be safe for you to call for roadside assistance.
How can I prolong my car battery’s life?
Here are some of the easiest ways to prolong your car battery's life:
- Limit short rides - since car batteries recharge with driving, short car rides actually prevent the battery from fully charging.
- Turn off all lights when you get out of the car - it may seem too obvious to miss but leaving headlights or internal lights on is one of the most common reasons why car battery life drains quickly.
- Properly maintain your entire car - go in for regular tune ups and services to check that the battery is clean and properly fastened.
How to jumpstart my car?
If you need to jumpstart your dead battery yourself, you will need two things: another person, a second car, and a set of jumper cables. Attach the red cable clamps to the positive terminals on each car (dead battery first). Then, attach one end of the black cable to the negative terminal on the live battery, then the other end to an unpainted piece of stationary metal on the dead car, such as a bolt on the engine, not the battery. Then, start the car with the live battery, and give it some time to properly charge the dead one.
How does the weather affect my car battery?
At colder temperatures, the battery’s ability to provide sufficient power to start and run a vehicle is diminished. A fully charged lead-acid battery can survive up to –50 C, but a battery with a low state of charge can freeze at –1 C. Furthermore, when the water in a battery freezes it expands and can cause irreparable damage to the cells.
Is roadside assistance covered in car insurance?
No, however most providers will offer you roadside assistance insurance as an addition to your existing cover. Furthermore, most roadside assistance services are fully insured, which will help reduce the overall cost.