Hi,

I took my vehicle to Kwik-Fit to get the tyres changes. When I came to collect it, the battery was flat enough that it would not start, as the mechanics had left the ignition switched on for an hour or so. They jump started it, and put a small amount of boost charge into the batteries (it has 2, its a 4x4 Hilux 2.8L Diesel with two large batteries in it) and it then started. They checked the batteries and found one to be faulty, but I was not entirely convinced by their checking as the checking machine was obviously making a poor connection and the mechanic said so too.

I ended up buying a new battery, which I did not want to do. However, as I was concerned about not being able to start the following day, it seemed like the only thing to do in the situation. Ideally, I would have researched the matter carefully and found one at an attractive price on the internet.

It turns out that I should have 2 70AH rated batteries, and the one Kwik Fit sold me was a 60AH. I have located a suitable 70AH battery on the internet and can get it for £59, whereas the 60AH one sold to me by Kwik Fit was £84. I have driven only a few hundred meters on the battery I bought from Kwik Fit, and it was only yesterday that I bought it.

So, do I have rights to return it for a full refund? on the basis that it is not the recommended size for my vehicle? Or on the basis that they did a really poor job by running my batteries flat in the first place?

Many thanks for any assistance you are able to give me with this question.

Rupert Smith

If the 70AH rating is an official specification by the manufacturer of the vehicle I would definitely say you can return it as it is not fit for its purpose.

Hi,

I took my vehicle to Kwik-Fit to get the tyres changes. When I came to collect it, the battery was flat enough that it would not start, as the mechanics had left the ignition switched on for an hour or so. They jump started it, and put a small amount of boost charge into the batteries (it has 2, its a 4x4 Hilux 2.8L Diesel with two large batteries in it) and it then started. They checked the batteries and found one to be faulty, but I was not entirely convinced by their checking as the checking machine was obviously making a poor connection and the mechanic said so too.

I ended up buying a new battery, which I did not want to do. However, as I was concerned about not being able to start the following day, it seemed like the only thing to do in the situation. Ideally, I would have researched the matter carefully and found one at an attractive price on the internet.

It turns out that I should have 2 70AH rated batteries, and the one Kwik Fit sold me was a 60AH. I have located a suitable 70AH battery on the internet and can get it for £59, whereas the 60AH one sold to me by Kwik Fit was £84. I have driven only a few hundred meters on the battery I bought from Kwik Fit, and it was only yesterday that I bought it.

So, do I have rights to return it for a full refund? on the basis that it is not the recommended size for my vehicle? Or on the basis that they did a really poor job by running my batteries flat in the first place?

Many thanks for any assistance you are able to give me with this question.

Rupert Smith

Thanks. I don't have the manual, its in Japanese anyway as its an import. However, I do have a print out from a website that sells the genuine Toyota battery for it, rated at 70AH. The garage did attempt to look the battery up in one of their manuals, and strangely that said the right one should be a 70AH and the left one at 60AH. I think their manual has a typo in it as it seems highly unlikely that they should be different.

Going back to the garage to kick some ass tomorrow.

Kwik Fit will do just about anything to stop customers making a fuss. Tell them you want a 70A/Hr battery,and you will pay £59+ the postage costs if applicable.. You will get it. If not,phone customer services and make a complaint.

Kwik fit batteries are good quality, and remember the guarantee is valid wherever you are in the country,so it actually makes sense to get a battery from them! You are never too far away from a KF branch!

Good suggestion, thanks. I will print out the battery price from the internet and take it in when I go to complain.

As you have TWO batteries, was the other one 70aH...? If so, there is a clear case of error on their part as you'd require the batteries to be matched (expecially if was controlled through the engine management system).

That said - even If the guy left the ignition on all day - this should still have let the vehicle start on a single battery, so there's still not something right. As you've disconnected it, take it back to KW with your receipt and ask for a refund as they fitted the incorrect one. As you needed secutiyu of starting in the morning, you obtained the correct replacement, so a refund would be in order here.

No engine management system, its a 1992 model!

Leaving the ignition switched on for an hour can drain a battery, but it could also mean that either the batteries are on their way out, or that the alternator/regulator is not correctly charging them.

Yes, I'm convinced that they should be matched though. Otherwise it would be two 65s.

Thanks for the advice.

Did you get your battery changed rupert?

Yes, I returned it as the wrong battery for the car, Kwik Fit gave me a refund straight away, no questions asked.