A car battery replacement has four parts: the battery, a core charge, the installation labor and Texas sales tax. Here is what each one costs with us, and how to see the total for your own vehicle before you book.
The battery
The battery is the biggest part of the bill, and the price depends on the line and the size your vehicle needs. These are the reference retail prices for the batteries we install:
- TotalPro, the lowest-priced option: $119.99 to $134.99.
- Duralast standard: $179.99 to $214.99.
- Duralast Gold, more cranking amps and a 3-year warranty: $219.99 to $234.99.
- Duralast Platinum AGM, for start-stop and AGM vehicles: $259.99.
Vehicles that came with an AGM battery need AGM again, so for them the AGM price is the real starting point. See AGM vs standard batteries.
The core charge
A core charge, usually $22 on these batteries, is a deposit that makes sure the old battery is returned for recycling. It is shown as its own line on your quote. See what a core charge is.
Installation labor
Labor depends on how hard the battery is to reach, not on how far we drive. Easy installs, which covers most pickups, sedans and SUVs with the battery under the hood, are $90. Medium installs are $110, hard ones $130 and complex ones $150. Some luxury and performance cars cost more, and the 12-volt battery in many electric vehicles is quoted after we check the car. See labor by vehicle.
Battery registration
Many BMW and MINI models, and some other European cars and newer Fords, need the new battery registered to the car after installation. If yours does, we tell you before you approve the quote whether we can do it on site and what it costs.
Texas sales tax
Sales tax is added on your quote. The combined state and local rate in DFW is up to 8.25%, depending on where the work is done.
Real examples
A 2016 Toyota Camry uses a group 24F battery and is an easy install. Before tax:
| Battery | Battery | Core charge | Labor | Total before tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duralast Group 24F | $184.99 | $22.00 | $90.00 | $296.99 |
| Duralast Gold Group 24F | $219.99 | $22.00 | $90.00 | $331.99 |
| Duralast Platinum AGM Group 24F | $259.99 | $22.00 | $90.00 | $371.99 |
A European car with an H7 AGM battery in the trunk is usually a hard or complex install, so labor is $130 to $150, plus registration where it is needed.
See the price for your vehicle
Enter your year, make and model, or your VIN, in the battery finder. It shows each battery that fits with its price, the core charge, the labor for your vehicle and the total before tax. We confirm everything from your VIN before we dispatch, and you pay after the battery is installed and your vehicle starts.
Ways to keep the cost down
- Have the battery tested before replacing it. A car that will not start is not always a bad battery; see battery or alternator?
- Pick the line that fits how you drive. A short-trip commuter car that came with a flooded battery does not need AGM.
- Replace before it strands you. A planned replacement at home saves you a missed day.
- Keep the receipt and the battery’s date code for warranty claims. See battery warranties explained.