Faulty car battery

Glen49

Hi everyone,
I bought a car battery in August last year from Halfords. I kept the receipt.
At the start of April I went shopping and when I got back in my car it wouldn't start. I rang the Garage I always use and they came out and got my car started. I then took my car to the Garage for them to test both the battery and my car for faults as the battery was under a year old. The Garage said the battery was faulty so I asked them to fit me a new one. 
I took the faulty battery back to Halfords who told me that 
1/ They don't do refunds and 
2/ They could only replace the battery if it was still on my car.
I came out dissatisfied with this response but I accepted it.
Thinking about it afterwards there was no way I could have taken my car with the faulty battery still fitted as it didn't work ???
Do I have to accept what I was told regarding a replacement or refund ??
Thanks in advance for any replies

sevenhills

You need to prove that the battery is faulty. What happens if you charge the battery, does it hold its charge.
Perhaps the garage is wrong, it's not faulty, how can you prove it's faulty?

Glen49

The Mechanic said they'd charged the battery up but it wasn't holding it's charge. I haven't personally tested the battery but I've used the same Garage for almost 25 years so I trust them 100% They did a test on my car for Parasitic drain but found nothing wrong.
Alternator, everything OK.
I took their word that the battery was faulty which is why I asked them to put me a new one on. 
When I went to Halfords the faulty battery was in the back of my car. Halfords could have tested it there but I got the response I stated above. I just got the impression that they thought because I'm a woman I would accept what they said. Which I did until I thought about it later.

Altior

It was a long time ago, but I did purchase a new battery that turned out to be faulty, so it does happen. I don't recall the exact process, but it was replaced FOC.

Why don't you just drive it to Halfords and swap the new battery over for the original one in the car park. Or you can change it over and get a jump start.

You've already bought the new battery though, so if successful, you'll just end up with a spare. Or potentially sell it, if you want the hassle. 

What do I do if I think there's something wrong with my car battery?

In the unlikely event that you experience problems with your car battery within your guarantee timeframe, just bring it back to your local store with your paper receipt or itemised bank statement and we'll carry out a full health check, including testing of the car's alternator. This will determine if there's a fault with the car battery that has arisen from a manufacturing defect.

If we find that the problem hasn't arisen from a manufacturing defect, or the guarantee has expired, then unfortunately we won't be able to provide a replacement.

If you return a car battery to Halfords, your statutory rights remain unaffected.

sevenhills

Glen49 said:

The Mechanic said they'd charged the battery up but it wasn't holding it's charge.

So when you got back to your car and it wouldn't start, was the battery dead or did your engine turn over.
That must be a serious drain on the battery, but could Halfords say it was misused?
What would your statutory rights be, money back if faulty? 

Bigwheels1111

You should have got it jump started, driven to Halfords, they would have tested it.
Then they would have supplied or fitted a new one.

Glen49

@ Altior 
"" Why don't you just drive it to Halfords and swap the new battery over for the original one in the car park. Or you can change it over and get a jump start.""
I did think of that   
@ sevenhills
The battery was dead it didn't turn over the engine.
""What would your statutory rights be, money back if faulty? ""
That's what I'd like to know.
Should I pursue it or just put it down to a bad decision in asking my Garage to fit a new battery ?? 
@Bigwheels1111
Hindsight is a wonderful thing - along with a few brains that wouldn't go amiss   

sevenhills

You haven't mentioned anything that would mean that your battery was mistreated, such as leaving your lights on and leaving it fully drained for a length of time.
So I believe that you should have a refund, minus six months use, if they are being picky.
That is assuming that the garage was correct, which just using a garage for a long time means nothing.
 I need a new battery because it's reading 11.8 volts but more when charged or running.
Any item bought need to be of merchandiseable quality, lasting six months is poor. No retailer wants unhappy customers, take it back.

Grey_Critic

How did you pay for it? Being told they will not honour the warranty because you did not have the vehicle recovered to them to be chacked is not reasonable. Imagine - you could have been on holiday on the Costa del Sol.

They could test the faulty battery and prove it faulty or not.

Suggest you give them the chance or threaten to go to the small claims court.

facade

I realise that it is the principle that counts, but tbh a replacement battery probably isn't any use to you.

Even if you store it correctly, charging it every month it won't be any good when the new battery you have already bought expires.

Unless you know someone who can use it, or you are sure you can sell it you are wasting your time. (Unless you are determined not to be "done" by Halfords)

Glen49

@ sevenhills There was nothing switched on that would drain the battery when I was in the Supermarket.

The Garage tested it with a Battery tester and said it was faulty

@ Grey_Critic I paid cash. I realise now I should have paid by Credit card but as I said hindsight is a wonderful thing.

@ facade That's the annoying thing it IS the principle and it annoys me when I think that they fob me off because I'm a woman and I don't make a fuss but just accept what I'm told then berate myself afterwards for not being stronger.

I may take the battery back again and see if I can speak to a different employee.
If I get any satisfaction I'll post it on here
Thank you all for your help.