Had to but new battery and got it on line. Have had two Octavia's and this is first battery I had to change. What a problem I had , first could not lift it out as the metal clip retainer would not lift sufficient for the lip of battery to come out,  Then placing the new one  similar problem with clip. Why have the clip that side instead of where you can see it nearest to you. Come to that why did the battery have a lip which has to go under the carrier lip. What I would do in future would to undo the metal clip as far as the retaining bolt allows before dropping out , this would allow battery to push under the lip then towards you under the carrier lip.

I am sorry that you have had problems changing the battery. When I changed mine last year I removed the metal clamp and it's bolt completely which made getting the batteries in and out a lot easier especially as I fitted a slightly larger battery than the original.

I'm with Liger1956, never had a problem, easiest solution remove the retaining bolt and plate.

Thanks for replies guys, does that mean you did not replace the metal clip?

Absolutely not, its a safety device.

 

If your vehicle has the hard plastic battery box with removable cover then the lower front half can be removed with the battery in place which gives much better access to remove and especially to refit the battery clamp.