Hi

I've always had start/stop issues and put it down to insufficient mileage to charge up the battery. Weirdly, the start/stop works, even from cold.

Anyway, could be time to replace the battery. This is what's in there. You can see that the condition indicator window is completely black indicating no issue.

Earlier this evening I discovered that you need to code the battery when you replace it so I'm wondering (a) could this be the original (2019) battery or (b) could it be newer but not coded?

Also, if replacement is necessary, should I replace like with like (EFB) or opt for AGM?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

If you look at the top of the negative battery terminal post, you can see the numbers 50 and 18. I believe that dates it to week 50 of 2018, so it looks like the original battery.

They do seem to last quite well. I replaced my original battery last year at ten years old.

Well spotted @daveo138 I missed that. Thanks.

If yours lasted 10 years and my indicator is still black, I think I'll get it tested to be sure.

My 2020 car needed a new battery in 2024. Dad's 2024 car needed a new battery in 2025.

Get it drop tested - I suspect it may be a bit knackered.

7 hours ago, StuartA said:

Well spotted @daveo138 I missed that. Thanks.

If yours lasted 10 years and my indicator is still black, I think I'll get it tested to be sure.

The 'Magic Eye' indicator only indicates the electrolyte level (I.e. still covering the plates) - it is not a reliable indication of actual condition.

Edited 29 April29 Apr by Warrior193
clarification

14 hours ago, daveo138 said:

If you look at the top of the negative battery terminal post, you can see the numbers 50 and 18. I believe that dates it to week 50 of 2018, so it looks like the original battery.

They do seem to last quite well. I replaced my original battery last year at ten years old.

Thanks for that snippet of information, @daveo138 , not seen it said anywhere before. When I worked in a garage we always would scribe the mm/yy on a new battery both for information and in case of warranty.

If this is ww/yy then mine is still on the original battery at 06/15, which is probably why stop-start is an occasional event these days. Still starting and running fine with no unexplained glitches, so will do a while longer.

On 28/04/2026 at 22:45, StuartA said:

Hi

I've always had start/stop issues and put it down to insufficient mileage to charge up the battery. Weirdly, the start/stop works, even from cold.

Anyway, could be time to replace the battery. This is what's in there. You can see that the condition indicator window is completely black indicating no issue.

Earlier this evening I discovered that you need to code the battery when you replace it so I'm wondering (a) could this be the original (2019) battery or (b) could it be newer but not coded?

Also, if replacement is necessary, should I replace like with like (EFB) or opt for AGM?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

Go for AGM, but you will need to tell the car that it is an AGM and not EFB with VCDS

It is what I did on mine

10 hours ago, nickytheshaft said:

Go for AGM, but you will need to tell the car that it is an AGM and not EFB with VCDS

It is what I did on mine

AGM is better than EFB (or EFB+ as a lot of VW's use) but you will pay for it. I wouldn't bother sticking it one in a 1.5 - they're generally only needed for beefy engines, or hybrids.

I eventually had my battery in my 1.4Tsi replaced before the 3 year warranty expired. Diagnostic checks were done several times,to no avail , but the stop start didn't work even after a 300mile run. The car is now 10 years old and SS still works after a decent run 30 miles plus.

Why to replace working battery? Anyway, go for AGM- if will decide to replace it.