Car batteries - cheap vs branded vs used

[Kiltox]

What is your preference for buying a battery - branded (Bosch, Varta), cheap lesser known brands or do you just go down the 2nd hand from a scrapyard route?

[Nick3point2]

2nd hand??? Are you fking mad??
Batteries: famous for turning to st if left unused!

I worked in fast fit for a while so got a massive discount off unipart batteries, never missed a beat.

[Badgerboy]

I typically buy Bosche Silvers, usually the biggest I can cram in the bay, as the two Jap cars I own have tiny OEM batteries. 5 year warranty on each battery, and excellent cranking power. (Running a transit battery at the moment)

[jbi]

I check the sticker on the side for it's cold cranking ability.

The more amps it can deal out the better, and more it will probably cost, regardless of brand.

That said, I will take a new battery over a 2nd hand one. Too easy to damage a battery and flog it on.

[sparks_E39]

Who in their right mind would buy a used car battery?

[Kiltox]

Nick3point2 said:

2nd hand??? Are you fking mad??
Batteries: famous for turning to st if left unused!

I worked in fast fit for a while so got a massive discount off unipart batteries, never missed a beat.

I thought people often bought tested 2nd hand batteries - must be wrong

[Classic Grad 98]

Basic Halfords (4 year guarantee) keep the receipt. Apparently they are manufactured by Bosch...

[j44esd]

I have always purchased a good branded battery, and have (yet) to be let down at the roadside by a failure. A friend swears by using secondhand ones, as they are, quote 'Cheap'. He has been stranded on more than one occasion...

Please make of this what you will

[Nick3point2]

Kiltox said:

I thought people often bought tested 2nd hand batteries - must be wrong

They may do, but batteries are hardly expensive so considering the horrific effect lack of use has on a battery I can't understand why on earth you would bother!

[Kiltox]

Right, fair enough, forget used

Best value brand new then?

(although it is for my £750 snotter so I'd rather keep costs down)

[Bungleaio]

I always get mine from http://www.multicell.co.uk/ they are local to me but are spot on.

[Welshbeef]

Kiltox said:

Right, fair enough, forget used

Best value brand new then?

(although it is for my £750 snotter so I'd rather keep costs down)

Keep the dead battery and get a Bosch silver. When your car is to be flogged switch them over fully charge it up and keep the Bosch. Put nice Bosch into next car again keeping the crap one to put back in.

[Kiltox]

Welshbeef said:

Keep the dead battery and get a Bosch silver. When your car is to be flogged switch them over fully charge it up and keep the Bosch. Put nice Bosch into next car again keeping the crap one to put back in.

Only problem with that is I probably won't be buying another when I sell this (and a Bosch silver is about £80 according to Euro Car Parts' website )

[PlayersNo6]

Always branded - last two I've replaced have been Energizers with a decent warranty.

Wouldn't consider a secondhand battery.

[ChiChoAndy]

Bought a new Bosch only last week. Silver if I recall.

[Kiltox]

Halfords standard 3 year guarantee - £66.99
Halfords advanced 4 year guarantee - £76.99
Bosch silver 5 year guarantee - £96.99

[yinujim]

Big Jaguar battery for £20 2nd. Perfect.

[Welshbeef]

Kiltox said:

Only problem with that is I probably won't be buying another when I sell this (and a Bosch silver is about £80 according to Euro Car Parts' website )

That's leading statement. Why?
No way of knowing how long that £750 car will last

[Kiltox]

Welshbeef said:

That's leading statement. Why?
No way of knowing how long that £750 car will last

It's filling a gap and will be gone in 2 months providing it lasts that long - I'm using it to get to and from work whilst I'm working a long way from home to save putting a load of miles on my Picanto. (which is on PCP and has a mileage restriction)

[Deluded]

I bought a 063 battery recently, new, for £27 inc vat.

Turns out I didn't actually need it, so if anyone wants my old, perfectly working, 063, you can, for not a lot of money.