Car accumulator, is it a parallel battery or a series battery?

[Lai Yu Zeng]

I heard that the car accumulator is a series battery. Then I wonder how would a car accumulator function if one of the carbon plate in it break down (series circuit won't function if one of its component blow out)?

[aviophage]

Most car batteries (or "accumulators," in the UK) store 12 volt current in six (6) two-volt cells connected in series. Indeed, if any one cell is damaged, the entire battery is rendered inoperable.