Halfords Auto-Centres (Battery Check)

[Dave20046]

Hi All,
Probably a bit patronising as I'm not sure anyone here'd be that foolish, I've just a lot of work to do and procrastinating so thought I'd warn the friendly masses... IF anyone was thinking of getting a battery test that Halfords have been advertising free recently - don't bother!

My car battery's seemingly been dying recently so I wanted to get it tested to be 100% my cash was going in the right place, on my way to a tried and tested garage I pass a Halfords Auto-centre in Sheffield city centre...much more convenient, popped in and asked for a test.

Being a cynical **** I stuck by the car so I could read the output for myself...I didn't really need to bother; the bloke took a multimeter out, popped it on the battery (engine running) read the screen then scurried inside the car turned on the lights, went back to the multimeter and shook his head. So off I went to report to the dude at the desk, unfortunately my battery is weak and needs replacing £100 for an OEM spec battery. I asked him what amperage the battery he was quoting me was, his eyes widened for a second and he said "the right one, it's the one for your car", I then asked him the ColdCrank value which he couldn't give me. I said I'd leave it!

Really wish I'd put more pressure on them at the time but I was in a rush as it was and now I'd wasted time there AND had to go to my original destination for a proper check. Also, I went in there because I was pretty sure my battery was knackered... it wouldn't have been too satisfying to dramatically announce "Aha! you're conmen! that battery you just reported as weak is in fact completely unserviceable and ready for replacement!" so popped off to a proper establishment. Will complain to Halfrauds at somepoint.

Anyway, if you want your battery checking don't go somewhere with an awful reputation and be aware some people are full of **** intentionally or otherwise. Also, something I didn't know; Varta and Bosch are the same units - I've always used Varta or Yuasa for bikes ...but when I've been quoted between £100-£130 for OEM spec Bosch car batteries, and decided to go for a trusty VARTA, I didn't realise I was getting the same product for £80 .*



*So says the Varta salesman , he seemed genuine and had already got the sale, so no point in lying but do your research before relying on the above.

[tigersaw]

Agreed - you are not going to realise anything with a multimeter.
I'd expect any 'battery tester' to have a conductance tester like this:
http://www.aideautomotive.com/produc...FQzKtAodUygAFg
I bought one for work, was over 2k but we have many many batteries to look after.

[Dave20046]

Nor the engine on! (well unless I had a problem with the charging system)
As the bloke started doing it, I said "don't worry about that mate, it's only having trouble turning over when it's been stood overnight" - I thought the multimeter bit was a preliminary check!


Later had it checked with something that did indeed resemble what you've linked, and had bosch written on and ....displayed "UNSERVICEABLE" and gave an indication of the cranking capacity it had left in it.

I suspect Halfords Auto-Centres are franchises rather than Halfrauds ran branches...not sure if that'll help or hinder a complaint to be honest!

[Kenzie]

Probably just checking it was charging. The volts are around 13v when the engine is running. Some testers don't have a charge system checker, the one we had at Motorworld only checked battery and cell condition.

[Dave20046]

Originally Posted by Kenzie

Probably just checking it was charging. The volts are around 13v when the engine is running. Some testers don't have a charge system checker, the one we had at Motorworld only checked battery and cell condition.

Yeah, I asked him not to bother doing that and explained it was fine. (just posted above).
The multimeter also displayed 14v so I don't know why he'd tell me it was weak .... *scratches chin*

[Kenzie]

Batteries are strange. The one in my old jeep was ok in summer but wouldn't hold charge in winter.

Multimeter will show if car is supplying charge to the battery, eliminate this, it's normally the battery.

Was it a sealed battery or had little screws on top to access the cells Dave?

I kept my connect van going for four more years by topping up the acid which was at low level, just replaced it over Xmas actually, £55
Mate does own a motor spares shop though, connects are big ass batteries too.

Originally Posted by Kenzie

Probably just checking it was charging. The volts are around 13v when the engine is running. Some testers don't have a charge system checker, the one we had at Motorworld only checked battery and cell condition.

13 volts? Your alternator is fubar'd if it's only kicking out that much, should br around 14.4v from a healthy one.

[Dave20046]

Originally Posted by specialone

Multimeter will show if car is supplying charge to the battery, eliminate this, it's normally the battery.

Was it a sealed battery or had little screws on top to access the cells Dave?

I kept my connect van going for four more years by topping up the acid which was at low level, just replaced it over Xmas actually, £55
Mate does own a motor spares shop though, connects are big ass batteries too.

Sealed Yuasa Unit (probably the same as what's in your golf unless it's petrol). It's been slowly failing for months, I rely on the car to work & more importantly eat, so really shouldn't have left it until it was such a state.

Bloody hell, that's cheap! They did have the "cheapo" range at about £60 (which are the one's halfords quoted at £100) but wanted one I could have a bit of faith in!

I'm still of the opinion they're conning customers from what I saw. I was told "it's weak and you should replace it, here's the price", not "we've eliminated the charging system".

[Kenzie]

Originally Posted by specialone

13 volts? Your alternator is fubar'd if it's only kicking out that much, should br around 14.4v from a healthy one.

I knew it would be more than 12v, but couldn't remember off the top of my head what it should be!