BUYING A BATTERY

Choose a battery brand that meets original equipment (OE) specifications. Yuasa, for example, builds each car battery to a specification based on OE requirements, not solely on price – not everybody has the same priority. Battery producers that supply car manufacturers are more likely to comply with the performance specifications printed on their labels and have more robust in-house testing procedures.

As batteries deteriorate rapidly if left discharged for long periods of time, buy a quality item from a stockist that has followed the battery manufacturer’s procedures. This will ensure that they are charged regularly and stored correctly. While this does not mean that you should avoid online sellers, ask yourself if you can place trust in the retailer, especially as warranties are honoured by the vendor, not the battery manufacturer.

Beware of counterfeits, too. The most expensive part of the battery is its lead element, which is the main ingredient that provides its storage capacity. Generally speaking, the battery’s weight is a good indicator of its lead content. Some counterfeiters have been known to reduce the lead quantity and fill the bottom of a battery with concrete. While the performance specifications on any car battery should confirm with EN50342-1 and EN50342-6, enforcement seems to be scant. To avoid being caught out, you need to have faith in both your battery maker and your supplier.

While testing a new battery seems like a good idea, Yuasa recommends that a new battery should be used for several weeks before you measure the CCA, prior to being charged fully and any state-of-health test result compared against the CCA figure on the label. A new battery, therefore, should be checked only for voltage (ie, state of charge).