Battery saga

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Discussion

MrC986

Original Poster:

3,616 posts

203 months

Wednesday 19th February
quotequote all
My Mum has a 2017 GLC still on the original battery. I’ve put it on the battery conditioner a few times but the limited use of the car, the cold weather and age of battery are leading me to the fact it needs a new one. I phoned my local main dealer and asked service if they could fit s battery for my Mum’s convenience? The answer was “only after we diagnose it needs a battery and that’ll be a £220 diagnosis charge”! The phone call with them was very short as I declined their unnecessary diagnostic charge - is it just me or is this how main dealers are generally working now?!

carbonblack

313 posts

169 months

Wednesday 19th February
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Doesn't surprise me, but it is ridiculous.

If you ask for a new battery - they should fit one. Even if they make you sign some disclaimer that it won't 'fix' an undiagnosed issue.


Try a local independent, or buy a decent AGM battery (OEM for MB) and fit it. They don't need coding afaik.

MrC986

Original Poster:

3,616 posts

203 months

Wednesday 19th February
quotequote all
I picked up an OEM battery from the dealer today & my little local garage will fit it tomorrow as it’s a faff. I agree it’s bizarre they won’t fit without diagnosis on something that when it fails is obviously - the dash warned of the failure & it was slow to start.

BunkMoreland

1,605 posts

19 months

Thursday 20th February
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MrC986 said:
.. is it just me or is this how main dealers are generally working now?!
Its what receptionists think. Thats not always the same as what the service manager thinks or indeed the technician thinks

If job says "sf battery" thats what you'll get at 99 dealers out of a 100. You might get asked why you want it changed, but if you tell them no diag, they ought to just do the job. To coin a phrase "we'll take anyone money if they're giving it away!"

And the invoice will say. "Customer requested battery change" to absolve them should three be an underlying undiagnosed fault

carbonblack said:
.... They don't need coding afaik.
You need to reset the system to tell it, (via the procedure) there's been a new battery fitted. Smart alternator/battery monitoring is standard these days so the car needs to know the battery is now good