Garage fitted wrong battery?

mad_rich

Hi folks

I've just asked this over on Briskoda, but I'd be keen to get views from the folk on here too, from an MSE/ consumer point of view!

I had to replace the alternator on my 2002 Skoda Fabia 1.9Tdi last week. The garage said the battery 'might need replacing too. Fair enough, it was old. Sure enough, when I went to collect it, they had replaced the battery.

Total cost (alternator, battery, 1 hour labour and VAT) was £294, including £55+ Vat for the battery.

I've only just now checked the battery they fitted (the spec wasn't noted on the invoice) and see that it's a Toyota battery rated at 53Ah and 430CCA. (I think. It says 53Ah 430A, so I assume that means CCA?).

This seems low to me. All the batteries offered by Eurocarparts for my reg number are 70Ah and 600CCA or higher.

Three questions:

1) How do I find out the actual spec for my car (as opposed to what one motor factor happens to offer)?

2) Is the one they've fitted going to be a problem (ISTR Joe Horner mentioning in a previous post that they tend to be over-specced)?

3) If it turns out to be under spec, is it reasonable to ask the garage to either take the battery back and refund me (and I will supply a new one), or fit a suitably specced battery with no labour charge (I would presumably pay a few pounds for the upgrade)?

Thanks

Stooby2

A quick phone call to a Skoda dealer would be the way to find out exactly what battery you should have. However, it does seem your Fabia should have the larger battery.

http://www.battery4cars.co.uk/manufacturer/skoda/skoda-fabia-felicia-1-9d-td-diesel-car-batteries.html

The dealer should also be able advise if the slightly smaller battery you have will suffice.

forgotmyname

Yeah i would want something a bit more powerful for a diesel.

It will work fine until it gets really cold or fails to start quickly. The lower capacity will shorten the cranking time you get before the voltage lowers too much to actually start the car.

Give them a call and say its sluggish on colder mornings. Doesnt spin as fast as it used to. Was the battery the same size as the one previously fitted though?

Maybe they exchanged like for like and didnt look up as to what should be fitted?

molerat

I would say you certainly need more than a 430 in a 1.9 diesel, that spec is for the 1.4D. Most sites are stating 660 as a basic with a 760 as the upgrade.

prowla

Take it in to the shop and throw it at them ...

... then it'll be assault and battery!

mad_rich

Thanks all. I'll get on to the garage tomorrow and ask why they chose that battery.

It's not a like-for-like replacement. I'm fairly sure (>90%) that the previous one was at least sixty something Ah.

Ultrasonic

I have an Octavia with principally the same 1.9TDi engine. When I replaced its battery a couple of years ago I found that websites that listed suitable battery's were all recommending ones of a higher spec than the one I had at the time, which as far as I could tell was the car's original battery. So I think there is a chance that a battery that meets the actual Skoda spec. has actually been fitted in this case.

yangptangkipperbang

prowla wrote: »

Take it in to the shop and throw it at them ...

... then it'll be assault and battery!

Not a good idea - he'll be put on a charge !

mad_rich

This had a happy ending.

I spoke to the garage last week, and they said they were sure it was right, but 'bring it in next time you get a chance'.

I popped in this morning. Again, he said it was the right battery, but he'd 'ring up and double check'. Sure enough, five minutes later he was back and acknowledged the mistake.

Apologies all round and all changed over now - with no extra charge for the larger battery. (Pun intended )