Not so secure battery

[waynester]

Hi chaps, (sorry + chapesses)
The 350 needs some work at the moment so i'm not able to use her very much. I took the battery out over the weekend so i can keep it charged ready for (eventual) use. Thing is i have only just noticed it wasn't fixed into the car by anything? As far as i am aware that's an MOT failure isn't it? Anyway what should secure the battery? There is the remains of what looked like a strap on the bulkhead but that's it!
Does it have to be secured?


>>> Edited by waynester on Monday 1st September 10:14

[jonres]

I had the same problem, and was told an unsecured battery is definitely an MOT failure. During my car's last visit to Topcats they fabricated a bracket for it (all that was left from the previous bracket was a small piece of rusty metal attached to the body). I have a 280i though - I don't know if the 350s are secured differently.

[jmorgan]

I used a webbing strap, probably sommit wrong with that but worked a treat.

[Nacnud]

Mine was the same as Waynester. The battery bounced around was rubbing the paint off the inside of the battery hole. The fix Peninsula did for me is very secure and doesn't look lika a bodge

[My 350i]

My battery is also of the fully floating design, another job on the "to do" list.
The battery is however definately NOT an MOT failure. It`s security or otherwise is purely an advisory item and is not testable.

[streaky]

Pleased you said that. I checked and mine is a 'jam fit' only - Streaky

[jonres]

My 350i said:

My battery is also of the fully floating design, another job on the "to do" list. The battery is however definately NOT an MOT failure. It`s security or otherwise is purely an advisory item and is not testable.

Mmmm... looks like a slight difference of opinion here - two seperate MOT garages told me an unsecured battery was a fail, and according to Parkers it should be securly fastened:

www.parkers.co.uk/owning/mot_guide/bonnet.asp

Anyone have a link to anything official on this?

[My 350i]

Divided we stand, but the battery is not a testable item, nor is its security. I`ve just read the testers manual to check.Nothing better to do at the moment.
If a test station say otherwise ask what section it fails under.
VOSA (vehicle operating standards agency) new name for the ministry help line on 0845 600 5977 will confirm if you need more

[streaky]

The Vehicle Inspectorate (www.via.gov.uk/mot/your_vehicle/carcomponents.htm) does NOT list 'battery' as a component checked in the MOT - Streaky

[jvaughan]

My batteris is secured as long as the terminals are tight. The rubber strap that used to hold it in place perished a long time ago.

[jonres]

My 350i said:

Divided we stand, but the battery is not a testable item, nor is its security. I`ve just read the testers manual to check.Nothing better to do at the moment. If a test station say otherwise ask what section it fails under. VOSA (vehicle operating standards agency) new name for the ministry help line on 0845 600 5977 will confirm if you need more

Thanks for that - looks like you can't take what you're told at face value, especially not by MOT garages (what a surprise!)

Still, I'm slightly happier that my own battery is now fixed - it's one of the (many) rattles that's now stopped!

[carl350i]

I keep my battery in place with Velcro, does the job and you cant see it.

[waynester]

Thanks all, you never know what to believe from so called experts.
I like the velcro idea from carl350i, anything to stop it rubbing the paint off.