New BMW and MINI batteries fitted and registered

Why does a new BMW battery need registering?

BMWs from about 2004 to 2005 onwards use an intelligent battery sensor.

Registering a new battery tells the car that a new battery has been fitted, so the charging resets. If the battery is not registered, it is overcharged and wears out early.

So fitting the battery is only half the job. We register it before the car leaves.

Which cars does this cover?

This page covers battery replacement and registration on BMW and MINI cars. If you are not sure whether your car needs the battery registering, put the registration in the enquiry form and we will check.

For other BMW and MINI work, see our BMW and MINI specialist page.

What does the job involve?

We:

• confirm the correct battery for your car
• send you a written price before any work starts
• fit the new battery
• register it to the car with our diagnostic equipment, so the charging resets
• test the charging system before the car leaves

If the test shows a problem with the charging system rather than the battery, we tell you what we found and send a written price. Nothing extra is done without your written approval.

What if the car keeps going flat?

A fault code is not a repair. If the car keeps going flat, we test before replacing parts, and trace an electrical fault to its cause if the tests point to one. See our car diagnostics page.

Which battery will you fit?

The battery that is correct for your car. We check it from the registration before we quote, and the written price tells you which battery we will fit, so there is no surprise on the invoice.

How much does a battery replacement cost?

It depends on the car and the battery it needs. Request a quote with your registration and we will send a written price for the battery, fitting and registration before any work is booked.

Can I have it done at my service?

Yes. If the battery is due for replacement, we can fit and register it at the same visit as the service. See our BMW servicing page.

How long does it take?

It depends on the car and on what the charging test shows. Ask when you book whether the job can be done while you wait. You get a written price before we start, and if anything else comes up you get a promised time for the next update.

Is there a recall I should check?

Recall R/2018/132, which concerns the battery cable, appears in the DVSA recall listing for the 2009 3 Series.

Whether a recall applies depends on the individual car, so check your registration on gov.uk. Recall work is done by BMW’s network, not by us.