Is the mk7 a battery killer?

[pikeybob]

Sorry if this has been asked before, did a search but didnt find any thing, or im not doing it right

Anyway just had my third battery fitted yesterday A 56plate van with 25k on the clock is this normal???? Chap who works in the shop said hes had quite a few mk7 in with the same problem Also tells me some people couple an extra battery in the back because of this Im putting it down to shite batterys myself It had a service on friday and mechanic said hes been changing quite a few batteys on different makes of vehicals that are only 1 or 2 years old

Rant over but its gettin annoying changing batterys annually

Thanks Chris

[AndyG]

I bought two brand new batteries from Ford (Ford Calcium ) thinking I was doing the right thing, but one went back within a few months and I still don't think they're anywhere near as good as what I originally had (and that's on my automatic MK5)
So they must have a faulty batch/manufacturing fault

Look good though


Bro's MK7 eats stop light bulbs
Could alternator be overcharging

[pikeybob]

Bulb wise im fine. Tested altenator on different occassions, holds constant voltage at different revs with electrical items all on Im thinkin duff battery route. Original battery ford item lasted 14 months ( Ford warranty wouldnt stand) 2nd battery aftermarket lasted 16 months Now on number three I probably be posting this problem again in the next year

[ake]

My baby is still on its original battery, however several of our other MK7 have had batterys under warranty

[Mike]

Only a years warranty on the battery then?

[ake]

Well at least one of ours had the battery changed after a year, iirc about 18 months I'm sure the batterys have a three year warranty as well

[pikeybob]

Only a year Lincoln Ford said. Consumables like brake pads etc.Apparrently

[Ollie]

don't think its specific to mk7 as such just that some batteries aren' t as good as you'd expect from the price!!

In fact I have serviced a number of 02 and 03 fords and vauxhalls this week which are still on there OE one, so how come the factory ones, fitted on a budeget and guaranteed for 3 years can do so much better than supposedly fcatory supply replacements?
There doesn't seem to be any logic, but the best ones seem to be the delco freedoms and Fulman durastarts which used to be guaranteed for life? I know I had an ancient one out of a dead fiesta from someones garden which then did another 4 years! yet the only batteries I've had fail under a year have all been Varta or Exide, nice big names and prices.... not so good on quality control?
Best value for me locally are the Banner ones which so far have allways lasted exactly what the guarantee says!


Ollie

[ake]

My MK 7 eats Off side brake light bulbs, and near side dip headlight bulbs

[ake]

Only a year Lincoln Ford said. Consumables like brake pads etc.Apparrently

I wonder what Frag and Coconuts take is on this

[Vee4]

Here's what it says about the warranty on the Ford website - I don't see any exclusion relating to the battery:

http://www.ford.co.uk/Buyingandprotecti ... leWarranty

I don't have access to my paperwork's 'small print' right now.

[trevor3839]

I have just sold a mercedes sprinter ..98 R reg so 11 years old ( sorry but I have replaced it with a Transit..honest) and that still had the origional battery on it.. I know because I owned the van for nearly 8 years... so it can be done.. just things aint what they used to be I guess.

[pikeybob]

don't think its specific to mk7 as such just that some batteries aren' t as good as you'd expect from the price!!

In fact I have serviced a number of 02 and 03 fords and vauxhalls this week which are still on there OE one, so how come the factory ones, fitted on a budeget and guaranteed for 3 years can do so much better than supposedly fcatory supply replacements?
There doesn't seem to be any logic, but the best ones seem to be the delco freedoms and Fulman durastarts which used to be guaranteed for life? I know I had an ancient one out of a dead fiesta from someones garden which then did another 4 years! yet the only batteries I've had fail under a year have all been Varta or Exide, nice big names and prices.... not so good on quality control?
Best value for me locally are the Banner ones which so far have allways lasted exactly what the guarantee says!


Ollie

Was an Exide that failed £70 worth. Thats whats replaced it now Changed it under warranty. Id better get saving then

[mikeharrison]

hi

i've got an 08 plate transit jumbo and i've just had to have one of the batterys replaced after only doing 51k and only being 14 months old. so i'm thinking of replacing the factory fitted ones with some other make of battery. what does anyone recommend as the best ones to use

cheers

[griffj]

just be glad you only have the one battery,
my ex BT Mk6 has 3, one under the bonnet two under the seat.