Can You Return a Car Battery (Even Used)? 7 Store Policies

Man carrying a car battery

Car batteries are usually eligible for return if they are in new condition, but return policies vary by retailer.

During our research, we found that Advance Auto Parts, Costco, O’Reilly, Walmart, and other retailers allow car battery returns.

Warranties may also be a factor. For batteries that aren’t working properly, you may be able to get a replacement or a refund if the battery is still under warranty.

For more information on returning a car battery, including warranty information, see below.

Car Battery Return Policies by Retailer

We contacted customer service representatives for the following popular auto parts retailers to compile this list of battery return policies and battery warranties:

Advance Auto Parts logo

Advance Auto Parts

  • Allows car battery returns? Yes, at the store’s discretion
  • Return policy details:
    • Advance Auto Parts may accept car battery returns within 45 days of purchase; the battery must be in new, uninstalled condition. Car batteries not in new condition will not be accepted for return.
    • If the store is willing to accept your return, you must show the receipt and a valid photo ID to receive a refund to your original form of payment.[1]
  • Warranty information:
    • Brand: DieHard and AutoCraft Battery Limited Warranty
    • Time limit: 90 days to four years
    • If the battery isn’t working properly, you can make a warranty claim in-store with proof of purchase; returning a car battery under warranty must be approved by a store manager.

Auto Zone logo

AutoZone

See our related research for details of AutoZone’s battery return policy and battery warranty policy.

Costco logo

Costco Wholesale

  • Allows car battery returns? Yes
  • Return policy details:
    • Costco accepts car battery returns within the warranty period; the battery can be in new or used condition. Proof of purchase is required; if you don’t have the receipt, a store associate may be able to look up your transaction using your membership card.[2]
    • You may need to initiate your battery return at the tire center.
  • Warranty information:
    • Brand: Interstate Battery Warranty
    • Time limit: Three years[3]
    • If the battery isn’t working properly, you can request a replacement or a refund under warranty. Proof of purchase is required; if you don’t have the receipt, a store associate may be able to look up your transaction using your membership card.

NAPA logo

NAPA Auto Parts

  • Allows car battery returns? Yes
  • Return policy details:
    • NAPA accepts car battery returns within 30 days of purchase; the battery must be in new condition and you’ll need to present the receipt.
    • To return a car battery purchased online, you’ll need to obtain a NAPA Return Goods Authorization Number. Online purchases can be returned in-store or by mail via UPS.
  • Warranty information:
    • Brand: NAPA Batteries Limited Warranty
    • Time limit: Up to 36 months, depending on the model; you may be able to receive a prorated replacement outside of the warranty.[4]
    • If the battery isn’t working properly, you can return it to a NAPA Auto Parts store along with the original receipt to request a replacement under warranty; refunds are not an option under warranty.

OReilly logo

O’Reilly Auto Parts

  • Allows car battery returns? Yes
  • Return policy details:
    • O’Reilly accepts car battery returns with no set time limit; the battery must be in new condition and you’ll need to present the receipt.
  • Warranty information:
    • Brand: SuperStart Battery Warranty
    • Time limit: Up to three years, depending on the model[5]
    • If the battery isn’t working properly, you can return it to an O’Reilly store along with the original receipt to request a replacement under warranty. 

Pep Boys logo

Pep Boys

  • Allows car battery returns? Yes
  • Return policy details:
    • Pep Boys allows car battery returns within 30 days of purchase; the battery must be in new condition and you’ll need to present the receipt. Battery returns may be subject to failure verification.
    • If you don’t have the receipt, you’ll receive store credit in the amount of the lowest sale price of the item in the past 30 days.[6]
  • Warranty information:
    • Bosch batteries come with a warranty valid for 36 or 48 months, depending on the model (specified on the battery label). You can return the battery to a Pep Boys store with the original receipt and it will be tested for failure verification prior to replacement; refunds are not an option under warranty.
    • Champion batteries come with a warranty valid for 30 months. You can return the battery to a Pep Boys store with the original receipt and it will be tested for failure verification prior to replacement; refunds are not an option under warranty.
    • Optima batteries come with a warranty good for 36 months. You can return the battery to a Pep Boys store with the original receipt and it will be tested for failure verification prior to replacement; refunds are not an option under warranty.[7][8]

Walmart logo

Walmart

  • Allows car battery returns? Yes[9]
  • Return policy details:
    • Allows car battery returns within 90 days of purchase
    • Battery can be installed but must be in non-working condition or the wrong fit for your car[9][10]
  • Warranty information:
    • Offers a free replacement within one to three years of purchase, depending on which model your battery is[11][12][13]
  1. https://help-desk.advanceautoparts.com/s/article/What-is-the-Advance-Auto-Parts-return-policy[]
  2. https://www.costco.com/wcsstore/CostcoUSBCCatalogAssetStore/Attachment/Costco+Battery-Warranty+2018.pdf[]
  3. https://www.costco.com/automotive-batteries.html[]
  4. https://media.napaonline.com/is/content/GenuinePartsCompany/957385pdf?$PDF$[]
  5. https://www.oreillyauto.com/how-to-hub/battery-selection[]
  6. https://www.pepboys.com/customer-care/faq[]
  7. https://www.pepboys.com/auto-service-repair/battery[]
  8. Pep Boys customer service[]
  9. https://corporate.walmart.com/policies#return-policy[][]
  10. Walmart customer service (800) 925-6278[]
  11. https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart-Maxx-Lead-Acid-Automotive-Battery-Group-Size-35-12-Volt-640-CCA/1500919764[]
  12. https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart-Plus-Lead-Acid-Automotive-Battery-Group-Size-65-3/16795245[]
  13. https://www.walmart.com/ip/ValuePower-VP-65-Battery-650-CCA/47308796#read-more[]

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