A method and a test fixture for evaluating a battery cell composed of a cell body having a plurality of electrode foils, a positive terminal and a negative terminal, wherein the positive terminal and the negative terminal are each joined to the cell body at weld junctions. This includes retaining the cell body of the battery cell in a first clamping device. The terminal is grasped in a terminal gripper. A dynamic stress end effector coupled to the terminal gripper applies a vibrational excitation load to the terminal. A static stress end effector applies a static load to the terminal. Integrity of the weld junction is evaluated based upon the applied static load.