Hi,

    I have an '03 Skoda Fabia 1.9 diesel estate needing a new battery.

4 years ago the AA fitted a new battery with a 4 year guarantee, 

Guess what? that battery died one week outside the guarantee, par for the course, I suppose.

I'm now looking for a decent replacement, can someone recommend a good battery?, one that will fit!

Also, some fitting instructions please, it looks a bit of a nightmare down there!

Yuasa would be the best or varta, 

 

Dont buy bosch as its just made by varta but at a poorer quality

For fitting instructions, It might be worth a look on youtube for Fabia/Polo/Ibiza battery change, there are several videos on there that might help

The heaviest battery that will fit is the best, quality is directly proportional to lead content, unfortunately so is the cost.

You get what you pay for.

Edited 4 June, 20206 yr by sepulchrave

I'd second Yuasa . After a few years of cheaper batteries for my mobility scooter I paid a bit more for Yuasa . First set failed ( bad cell in one or both ?) ,but both were replaced   under warranty. Year later still going strong.

But in saying that, I've only replaced the battery in Furby once. Car was registered in February 2004, I replaced the original  battery in October 2012 and it's still going strong, despite a dodgy starter.I'll check for make when I can get under bonnet. But it might be worth looking at deals on eurocarparts at the weekend. I know for definite that it's an 096, which I suspect is what you need. Check on the battery for type number.

Fitting- Snap the lid off the battery top

Safety first- disconnect the negative (BLACK) lead FIRST. Then you can safely remove the positive lead and then the battery covers. At the bottom of the battery, there's a clamp holding the battery in ( I THINK it's a 13mm nut, but you will need a long extension to get to it. Remove that and battery is free. Haynes manual does a decent removal description in section 5a 13 of the manual. The description is from a few years ago, but as long as you follow the golden rule and disconnect the earth side ( be car -ve or + earth) , than the battery side just floats with no potential ( for welded spanners) above earth.

 

I'd say Bosch or Varta.

 

I bought these for both of our diesel Fabias (my 04 vRS and parents 2003 1.9TDI). https://www.tayna.co.uk/car-batteries/varta/e44/

Varta was slightly cheaper than Bosch (with same spec) and some OEM batteries were Varta made.  Both Varta Silver and Bosch S5 come with a 5 year warranty.

 

I'd also recommend Tayna. They had excellent service with quick (tracked) delivery including a set time slot. They were also far cheaper than other places, ECP and Halfrauds.

Edited 7 June, 20205 yr by Jim H
Pic added

Just fitted varta as it was £100 and £40 cheaper than the Bosch s5 previously fitted.

Bigger CCA than needed compared to original

I eventually bought a Lucas LS096 battery from Starter Batteries of Glasgow through ebay. £74 free delivery. It has a 5 year warranty.

I would point out that the faulty battery was a Yuasa which died one week out of it's 4 year guarantee.

Oh well, good luck with that one, Lucas used to be a quality name, that was until at least the car parts division was sold on and split up, typically any car product bearing the Lucas name in Europe, is just something that has been made by a company that does not have a "good" reputation and they have hopefully rented the Lucas name to give their products sales appeal.  I seem too remember one of the owners of ECP ended up with rights to that name.

 

It would probably have been a lot cheaper over 5 years to have bought a Varta or so as advised, and you did aske for advise I think.

The King of darkness was never a good name!

 

Its simply a recognisable name amongst all the Happygoluckymoonstarshinyeasternpromiseyoulikey offerings.

 

What names still have a justified reputation for quality these days?

 

I would say Bosch although their batteries are simply made & rebadged by Varta & sold at a premium.

Varta.................

 

And now I am struggling, I dont buy enough to know that the brands that were good quality havn't sold out and now trade on their name reselling cheap parts.

 

Anyone?

5 hours ago, J.R. said:

And now I am struggling, I dont buy enough to know that the brands that were good quality havn't sold out and now trade on their name reselling cheap parts.

Even a branded product can fail early if the vendor has old stock. If the product has to be ordered in then that can be a good sign.

Try and get 5yr guarantee.

 

I read that if you claim on the guarantee I think you pay pro rata on the age of battery you used. You don't get a free battery replacement. The calculation is based on RRP, not the price (lower) that you paid. 

 

In short, don't buy cheapest and use a battery charger eg. Ctek or other good brand.

Ive still got the original halfauds 4 year guarantee battery that came with the car.

Not sure how long it had been in the car before i  bought it but ive had the fabia for 4.5 years now.

Have had Varta before and seemed good value for money.

Tayna seems popular at the moment.