Battery life

[crimsonfin]

Think my battery my be on the way out (took a few turns of the ignition key to kick the engine into life this morning).

Mine is an '06 plate - anyone know how long a battery should (in general terms) last from new ?  I suppose it doesnt help that I ran mine to flat and had to get it completely recharged a year or so ago 

Also where is the best place to get a replacement and how much they cost ?

Cheers

[Rhyso]

Depends on how its treated and if you do short or long journeys

My old MK4 Golf still had the original battery in it prior to I sold it and it was 9 years old

Try Euro Car Parts and take advantage of the 25% discount the forum gets

[crimsonfin]

forgot about that discount - ta.

is there any sure fire way to know if your battery is on its last legs ?

[Rhyso]

forgot about that discount - ta.

is there any sure fire way to know if your battery is on its last legs ?

I think most garages will perform a free 'drop test' on the battery 

[crimsonfin]

brilliant, ta again.

looks like kwik fit do a free test

hopefully they wont scratch my alloys whilst checking the battery 

[bacillus]

brilliant, ta again.

looks like kwik fit do a free test

hopefully they wont scratch my alloys whilst checking the battery 

But they might get you for a new exhaust...   

[2007GTI]

funnily enough I was thinking the same thing, and a after google I discovered average life is 4-6 years depending on useage.

mines a 56 plate and so was thinking of getting a new one as it took a few turns the other morning.

euro car parts deal looks good too.

[AlanD]

Mine died after 5 years but I'm blaming the fact it didn't get used for a considerable amount of time. Mine had the same symptoms as yours where it took a while to actually turn the engine over and bring it to life, was really starting to annoy me and the final straw was when she died on the day of Volksfest 2010 when I was getting petrol so just got a new one. Wish I had done it earlier as she now turns on perfectly.

[2007GTI]

@Alan, I found an old thread about your replacing your battery. the 2 x 10mm bolts are obviously the ones on the terminals, I just had a look at mine and is the 13mm bolt the one at the base to the left of the battery pointing upwards?

[Phil1980]

Just replaced mine, my car is an 05 model.  Cost me about £100.00 for a new one.