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Battery question

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  • dogmaryxx
    dogmaryxx Posts: 2,446 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    VAT relief doesn't apply to general use items such as
    batteries even if they’re being bought for use in equipment that was bought VAT free. For
    example, you can't buy a standard battery VAT free for use in your mobility scooter but you
    can buy a VAT-free battery that was designed only to be used in mobility scooters

    http://www.inclusive.co.uk/Lib/Downloads/hm-revenue-and-customs-vat-relief.pdf
  • thorganby
    thorganby Posts: 528 Forumite
    Fourth Anniversary 500 Posts Name Dropper
    50Twuncle wrote: »
    OK I have found a local supplier for these batteries @ £108 for 2 - inc VAT !
    I understand that VAT can be reclaimed post purchase - since they are part and parcel of a mobility scooter ?

    Or should they be VAT free in the initial purchase ?


    You can get quality AGM batteries with a decent auto charger included for less than that.

    If you don't use a fully automatic maintenance charge when not in use they won't last any longer than your first set.

    https://www.batterybayuk.co.uk/2-x-leoch-agm-22-ev---12volt-22ah-rechargeable-agm-batteries-311-p.asp

    https://www.batterybayuk.co.uk/leoch-lc4-24-3a---24volt-3amp-battery-charger-242-p.asp

    Make a claim for the VAT yourself.
  • dogmaryxx
    dogmaryxx Posts: 2,446 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Many battery retailers offer batteries for disabled customers VAT free. However, as much as we’d like to, this isn’t something that we are able to offer as HMRC advice states that companies are only able to supply batteries zero rated for VAT if that company both supplies and fits the batteries in that single transaction


    https://www.mobilitypitstop.com/articles-guides/a-guide-to-buying-mobility-batteries/
  • forgotmyname
    forgotmyname Posts: 32,915 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Purchased some batteries for MIL's electric wheelchair and they didn't charge the VAT at time of purchase.

    Maybe it's changed or other companies work differently?
    Censorship Reigns Supreme in Troll City...

  • 50Twuncle
    50Twuncle Posts: 10,763 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 30 January 2020 at 11:41AM
    dogmaryxx wrote: »


    "5.5 Goods provided in the course of adaptation or repair and maintenance services
    Excluding the goods being adapted, you can zero rate any goods that you necessarily supply in the course of a supply of adaptation or repair and maintenance, where these services qualify for VAT relief as explained in paragraph 5.2 and paragraph 5.4.
    For example, a general purpose battery may be zero-rated when supplied as part of a wider service of repair and maintenance of a zero-rated mobility scooter. But zero rating will not apply when a general purpose battery is simply supplied to a disabled person. In such circumstances, the main supply is not one of repair and maintenance but a supply of a standard-rated product."


    This appears to say - if a supplier also fits the batteries - they can be VAT free ?

    Since my supplier does just this - but tells me that "The price quoted also includes vat" This must mean that I can reclaim VAT on any battery purchase for mobility scooter use ?
  • dogmaryxx
    dogmaryxx Posts: 2,446 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    50Twuncle wrote: »
    "

    This appears to say - if a supplier also fits the batteries - they can be VAT free ?

    Since my supplier does just this - but tells me that "The price quoted also includes vat" This must mean that I can reclaim VAT on any battery purchase for mobility scooter use ?

    If you think that you meet all the conditions for VAT-free goods but have been incorrectly
    charged VAT you should ask your supplier for a refund. There’s no facility for HMRC to
    refund VAT to you.



    http://www.inclusive.co.uk/Lib/Downloads/hm-revenue-and-customs-vat-relief.pdf
  • thorganby
    thorganby Posts: 528 Forumite
    Fourth Anniversary 500 Posts Name Dropper
    Why are you paying more than you need to from a supplier that is less than helpful regarding the VAT, this is MSE!

    Your local supplier is obviously not a knowledgable battery specialist.

    You obviously did not read the BatteryBay link that I posted because they have an online VAT exemption form for you to fill in to claim yourself when ordering!

    https://www.batterybayuk.co.uk/vat-exemption-form-21-w.asp
    50Twuncle wrote: »

    Also - some advice sought on charging

    I simply fully charged the old batteries after every use and then gave them a top-up just before using again - is this going to reduce the life span of the batteries?

    However you are totally missing the point that your batteries have failed, due to you not properly looking after them.

    You are wasting your money if you don't change your charging routine.

    They should be on a permanent maintenance charge when not in use!

    Just a few milliamps keeps them in tip top condition and costs far less than you are paying every two years for replacement batteries.

    When maintained properly batteries will last many years, as owners of little used classic cars will testify.
  • forgotmyname
    forgotmyname Posts: 32,915 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Yep a quality battery should last a long time. My Clarke jump pack had an 18Ah SLA battery in it. Purchased around 2006 and it held its charge well and started someones car in the hospital carpark in 2014. Its weak now though.

    Moved over to supercaps for a jump starter. Not suitable for your situation though. Not unless you want to go really fast for a very short distance :)
    Censorship Reigns Supreme in Troll City...

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