Flat battery, car won't start. 3.5yo. Worth buying a charger, or just a new batt

[Paul70]

My battery started playing up a few months ago due to lack of use. It’s a Sebang and the car is just over 4 years old. I bought a CTEK battery charger-optimiser for around £50 and the battery has been fine since but I do give it a weekly charge, which is good for any battery in a car not being used regularly so I viewed the purchase as an investment for my new battery which will most likely be this year.

[Adam T7]

I replaced the battery on my wife’s Polo 1.2 TDI last week, 9 years old, 40k on the clock and only used for tootling around locally, started failing a few months ago - I was well impressed TBH for a battery on a diesel that needs a bit of cranking and has been a bit abused in terms of charging.

[Rudedog]

Don't the later GTi's have regenerative braking? No idea how much that charges the battery while on a normal daily drive to and from work.

[sjw]

I have start stop permanently disabled on my car. Is an AGM battery worth it? Halfords say they have one battery that will fit my car, and it's EFB. The only AGM batteries they have are their own brand. Any good?

Just cause I'm going to be passing a Halfords tomorrow

EDIT: Sorry, never had to do this before! The battery Halfords picks out is an EFB096 - they have an AGM096, I assume these are the same size and will fit my car? And the fact that's it Halfords branded will not matter so much as who makes the actual battery, right? Regardless, a 5 year warranty seems pretty good

[golfdave]

I have start stop permanently disabled on my car. Is an AGM battery worth it? Halfords say they have one battery that will fit my car, and it's EFB. The only AGM batteries they have are their own brand. Any good?

Just cause I'm going to be passing a Halfords tomorrow

EDIT: Sorry, never had to do this before! The battery Halfords picks out is an EFB096 - they have an AGM096, I assume these are the same size and will fit my car? And the fact that's it Halfords branded will not matter so much as who makes the actual battery, right? Regardless, a 5 year warranty seems pretty good

AGM are safer in an accident & a higher number of cold crank starts..096 is the case size which is the biggest size that fits the battery tray....

all info here in my old thread from Feb 2015 (different forum)

https://www.golfmk7.com/forums/index.php?threads/how-to-retro-fit-a-bigger-capacity-battery-to-a-mk7-golf.320084/

[sjw]

That's great, thanks. Is the battery cover/box ultra necessary? Would it be ok to drive without it to go and pick it up if ordered from a dealer? What's the best place to order from, and how long does it take? Cheers!

[golfdave]

That's great, thanks. Is the battery cover/box ultra necessary? Would it be ok to drive without it to go and pick it up if ordered from a dealer? What's the best place to order from, and how long does it take? Cheers!

If you have a mid or smaller size battery obviously you'll need the cover...should be fine for a few weeks with out one.....I just order mine (along with most parts) from my local dealer as I know the parts dept very well...usually stuff is 2 days if in stock in UK, or 2 weeks max if special order from Germany...BUT with the current port delays etc. I have no idea...

[Yusee]

I have start stop permanently disabled on my car. Is an AGM battery worth it? Halfords say they have one battery that will fit my car, and it's EFB. The only AGM batteries they have are their own brand. Any good?

Just cause I'm going to be passing a Halfords tomorrow

EDIT: Sorry, never had to do this before! The battery Halfords picks out is an EFB096 - they have an AGM096, I assume these are the same size and will fit my car? And the fact that's it Halfords branded will not matter so much as who makes the actual battery, right? Regardless, a 5 year warranty seems pretty good

Halfords branded batteries are very good value in my experience. I think they are made by Yuasa.
I’d also go with the principle that duration of warranty is a very good indication of a manufacturer’s confidence in the quality of their product. I don’t think you’ll get better than 5 years.

[sjw]

I can get a Bosch or Varta 096 AGM battery for about 30 quid less than Halfords, with a 5 and 4 year warranty respectively. That's from batterymegastore. Interestingly they also have a Yuasa for a similar price (less than Halfords)

How does the warranty work, what does it mean? Their warranty says it won't cover "normal wear and tear"

I assume Bosch batteries are good? And I know I've read a lot of people using Varta

[monkeyhanger]

I can get a Bosch or Varta 096 AGM battery for about 30 quid less than Halfords, with a 5 and 4 year warranty respectively. That's from batterymegastore. Interestingly they also have a Yuasa for a similar price (less than Halfords)

How does the warranty work, what does it mean? Their warranty says it won't cover "normal wear and tear"

I assume Bosch batteries are good? And I know I've read a lot of people using Varta

Not sure how "normal wear and tear" applies to a battery with a 5 year warranty, it'll either hold X amount of charge at 5 years or it eon't. Have you tried Costco for batteries if you know someone who's a number?