Car battery - does the brand matter

Speedster

Speedster

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It's time to replace the car battery - current one has failed to start the car a couple of times now. Fortunately I was able to charge the battery and get it going again, but I'm pretty sure it's on its last legs now.

Anyway, I've got quotes ranging from just over R1000 (GP brand), R1500 (Willard) and a couple more around R2000. Is it worth paying more for a "better" battery or are they all pretty much the same thing?
 
Yes and no.
If you're buying Osaka or other crap like that then yes.
If you're buying a reputable brand then not really.

Raylite and Exide ect.. quality seems to have dipped due to serious upset on the factory and franchise side, so I'd choose something else right now.

The warranty and service around the warranty is the decider. If you buy it from a spares shop and its a warranty you'll have to sit without a battery while they process the claim.
Some brands process claims faster than others, and some retailers/battery fitment places have the authority to replace immediately if the battery meets the criteria. Battery fitment places will also usually supply a loan battery while the process the claim.
 
For my Bantam I have bought Exide for the past 18yrs, three in total, they lasted about 5yrs each except for one which due to my stupidity took a bad knock and was drained completely flat, that one only lasted a year.
 
Speedster said:
It's time to replace the car battery - current one has failed to start the car a couple of times now. Fortunately I was able to charge the battery and get it going again, but I'm pretty sure it's on its last legs now.

Anyway, I've got quotes ranging from just over R1000 (GP brand), R1500 (Willard) and a couple more around R2000. Is it worth paying more for a "better" battery or are they all pretty much the same thing?
Click to expand...
Battery Centre, they have a nation wide 2yr warranty. They stock Raylite. I previous had a Exide battery which comes from the same manufacturer as Raylite, the Exide battery lasted 10years, I replaced it a month ago with a Raylite at Battery Centre.
 
Agree, Exide is a pretty good elcheapo
 
Raylite also has good street creds
 
Those are also good brands, nothing wrong with them
 
If it is a diesel vehicle just ensure your new battery can handle CCA so that you do not kill your battery in winter when starting in early mornings
 
Mars said:
They're the same battery, made on the same production line. Like I said there has been some trouble there so choose something else for a bit.
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Oh crap, not again went through this when Willard ended up been made by Sabat, those batteries would die straight after the 1y warranty expired.
 
Obieone said:
Oh crap, not again went through this when Willard ended up been made by Sabat, those batteries would die straight after the 1y warranty expired.
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Well Raylite and Exide have always been made on the same line so its not about the line.

AutoX seemed to have ironed out their issues with Willard and Sabat, so theyre good local options. Otherwise, Enertec, Topstart, Supervolt, ect.. are all solid import batteries.
 
Speedster said:
It's time to replace the car battery - current one has failed to start the car a couple of times now. Fortunately I was able to charge the battery and get it going again, but I'm pretty sure it's on its last legs now.

Anyway, I've got quotes ranging from just over R1000 (GP brand), R1500 (Willard) and a couple more around R2000. Is it worth paying more for a "better" battery or are they all pretty much the same thing?
Click to expand...
Duracell or Atlas ,depending on the vehicle .
 
Mars said:
Well Raylite and Exide have always been made on the same line so its not about the line.

AutoX seemed to have ironed out their issues with Willard and Sabat, so theyre good local options. Otherwise, Enertec, Topstart, Supervolt, ect.. are all solid import batteries.
Click to expand...

I heard Willard was back to there old standards, was just to leery to put them to the test again.
 
Obieone said:
I heard Willard was back to there old standards, was just to leery to put them to the test again.
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They've put a lot of effort into the brand again now that AutoX has found its feet after buying the group a few years back. I'd recommend it. It also has a nationwide warranty if you register it with them so its worth the slightly higher price tag.
 
Neptuner said:
Battery Centre, they have a nation wide 2yr warranty. They stock Raylite. I previous had a Exide battery which comes from the same manufacturer as Raylite, the Exide battery lasted 10years, I replaced it a month ago with a Raylite at Battery Centre.
Click to expand...
Battery centre quoted R1850. Willard and GP are much cheaper. Hence the question.
 
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