Car battery questions, answered

At Battery Fitment Centre, 173 Vasco Boulevard, Goodwood, next to N1 City in Cape Town's northern suburbs. We test the battery, alternator and starter for free in a few minutes, with no booking needed. Drive in during opening hours.

Usually 15 to 20 minutes, including the test and analysis. Fitment is free on standard vehicles at our insured workshop. Some cars with hard-to-reach batteries or electronics resets take longer, and these complex fitments may carry a labour charge depending on complexity. We'll tell you upfront.

It depends on your car's battery size and the price level you choose: entry, mid-range or premium. Prices include free standard fitment and assume your old battery is handed in. WhatsApp us with your vehicle for today's exact prices.

Most often, yes, especially if the engine clicks or turns slowly, or the battery is more than 3 to 4 years old. It can also be the alternator or starter. Come in or send us a WhatsApp and we'll test all three for free.

Sometimes. If the battery is healthy and was drained by lights or a short trip, a charge may be enough. If a test shows it can't hold charge, charging only buys you a day or two. We test first and only recommend a new battery if you need one.

Yes, if you can. Battery prices in South Africa are usually quoted with your old battery handed in, and we make sure it gets recycled properly. If you don't have one to hand in, the price is a little higher, and we confirm it when we quote.

Willard is the best-known name, but for most cars a battery from our value range of the right size does the same job, often for less. We stock several brands and recommend what suits your car and budget.

Usually not. We use a memory saver during fitment and can reset battery management systems on cars that need it. On some vehicles, or where there is a faulty connection, settings like the radio, clock or electric windows can still reset. If that happens, we'll show you how to set them again.

Short trips don't give the alternator enough time to put back the charge used to start the car. If you mostly drive a few kilometres, a couple of times a week, the battery slowly runs down even when it's healthy. A longer drive of 30 minutes or more each week helps, or we can test it and give it a proper charge.

We send old batteries back to our manufacturer suppliers, who recycle them. Almost all of a lead-acid battery can be recycled, so it never ends up in a landfill.

Online prices often leave out VAT, delivery and fitting, and you still have to fit and dispose of the battery yourself. Our price is the full price: VAT included, a free test, free standard fitment by our insured workshop and a 2-year warranty handled at our counter. Send us the online link and we'll gladly compare it honestly.

Bring it in with your invoice. We test it for free and, if it's faulty, we handle the claim with the manufacturer for you at our counter. Making a claim costs us nothing, so we're on your side: where a claim is fair, we push it as far as we can for you. If the battery is only flat or something else is wrong, we show you the test results and explain.

Yes. Many premium cars have a second, smaller backup battery. If your dash shows an auxiliary battery warning, we test it for free and fit the right one, with memory saving and any reset your car needs.

The warranty covers a battery that is faulty. A battery that is only flat, for example after lights were left on or from short trips, isn't faulty, so recharging it carries a small charge. We always test first and tell you which it is.

Often it's a loose or corroded terminal or a cable that isn't secure. We'll show you, and fix it for a small maintenance fee instead of selling you a battery you don't need.

Yes. If your car can't be driven to us, we can come to you. We cover the northern suburbs and further, with the call-out fee depending on distance. Many customers find it quicker to get a jump and drive in, since fitment here is free and takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

Yes: Avis, ABSA, Eqstra, WesBank, Nedfleet, Motorite, First Auto, Imperial Prime and others.

Monday to Friday 08:00 to 18:00, Saturday and most public holidays 10:00 to 14:00, closed on Sundays, Christmas Day, Boxing Day (26 Dec) and New Year's Day. We stay open later than most battery shops, so you can come in after work or after Saturday shopping.