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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to refuse to change the car battery given my caring duties?

162 replies

Kardelen · 14/03/2026 10:12

how easy is it to change car batteries?
we changed my dads one a few years back, but it was me, my husband and dad.
i remember it being very heavy, and also having a small electric shock midway.

at the moment, I have two young children im caring for, and my elderly parents, and also my husband who is unwell.
so my husband can’t help, it’s out the picture. But my dad also can’t help as he is elderly, chronic pain, breathlessness etc, but is eager for me to buy it and thinks he can do it alone.

he was gonna ask my brother, but as usual very reluctant and im the go to person. But this time I said I can’t do it, but feeling guilty.

am I being unreasonable of not wanting to do it? - only because I remember last time it was 3 of us and we struggled.

OP posts:
TalulahJP · 14/03/2026 10:34

defo go on halfords website and put in the details to see how much it is for them to supply and fit and dispose of the old one. i paid to get a lightbulb fitted and it was £15 so it’s not much extra in the bigger picture of things.

MagnoliaTreeBlossom · 14/03/2026 10:32

You are not being unreasonable to...

• Book it in at a local garage

• Go to Halford and buy a battery with a fitting service included (£50 charge) or book them to come to you using their mobile fitting service. I've used their 'We fit' service for a battery, dash cams and bulbs as the position on my car can be tricky to access.

• Use a roadside assistance like AA to provide and fit

You may have other local fitting services but you definitely don't need to risk a shock or fitting it incorrectly.

Nourishinghandcream · 14/03/2026 10:31

My OH will replace a battery because he has the knowledge & ability to do so.
If you have neither of these, why would you even consider doing it?

A follow on is disposal of the old battery. My OH stores items like this, when he has sufficient he weighs them in at the scrapyard and receives a decent amount for doing so (batteries, cable etc). If you just have a single battery you will need to take it to your local waste disposal centre.
A professional will deal with this for you.

KurtCobainLover · 14/03/2026 10:18

Do you have homestart on your breakdown cover? They fitted mine and only charged me for the battery.

CrotchetyQuaver · 14/03/2026 10:17

I wouldn't mess about even thinking about doing this, I'd buy a new battery from a place that will fit them for you, it's the local tyre place where I am. Takes them a few minutes to do it. Hopefully you can get the car there with jump leads to start it if necessary

Notmyreality · 14/03/2026 10:16

Who saying you should do it? Depending on the car make and model, changing batteries these days isn’t necessarily as simple as it
used to be. Either way, just go to garage.

maysayyea · 14/03/2026 10:15

Just hire a professional. Won’t be expensive

UpTheWomen · 14/03/2026 10:15

Go to Halfords to buy it and pay the extra for them to fit it.

VividDeer · 14/03/2026 10:14

It is something worth paying for.

OchreSnail · 14/03/2026 10:14

Go to Halfords - they'll fit it for you 👍🏻

LVhandbagsatdawn · 14/03/2026 10:14

Just get Halfords to do it, or similar.

rfgtc43c4 · 14/03/2026 10:13

Go to a garage? You COULD do it yourself but with the risk of shock and connecting it wrong, and no time to learn...