Trading in an old battery: how it is valued, what you get and why it matters

Voltman centres accept old batteries in every city — any type and capacity, regardless of where the battery was bought.

How it is valued

Used batteries are taken by weight. Weight depends first of all on capacity: the more ampere-hours, the more lead inside. That is why a 60 Ah passenger battery and a 190 Ah truck battery are valued very differently.

Completeness matters too: the battery is accepted whole, with its case and electrolyte. Drained electrolyte means less weight and, more importantly, a breach of the rules on handling hazardous waste.

What you get for it

• a discount on the new battery — the amount goes straight onto the receipt;
• no need to work out where to put a heavy, toxic object;
• the lead, plastic and electrolyte go to recycling rather than into the ground.

Why it must not be thrown away

A single car battery holds around ten kilograms of lead and several litres of sulphuric acid solution. If the case breaks, all of it ends up in the soil and groundwater. That is why used batteries are legally classed as waste that must go to specialised recycling.

How to hand it in

Bring the battery to any centre of the network and we will value it on the spot. If you are replacing the battery with us, we take the old one during installation — no separate trip needed.

Read also: seven signs it is time to replace the battery.