Golf V Variant (1K5)
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Car battery by model
With Start-Stop, the Volkswagen Golf Mk5 (1K, 2003-2009) always takes a battery like the Varta A7: AGM, 70 Ah and 760 A, in case size L3. Versions without Start-Stop take the Varta E11 (conventional, 74 Ah and 680 A); the table shows the battery for each engine.
- 2003-2009
- 23 engines
- AGM · conventional
- Case L3
Check with your number plateWe show you only the batteries that fit your exact version.
Recommended batteries for the Volkswagen Golf Mk5 1K
For Start-Stop versions
AGM 70 Ah · 760 A (EN)
Case L3 · 278 × 175 × 190 mm · + right
Recommended for 1 of 23 engines
See price and specs Varta A7
For versions without Start-Stop
conventional 74 Ah · 680 A (EN)
Case L3 · 278 × 175 × 190 mm · + right
Recommended for 13 of 23 engines
See price and specs Varta E11
Equivalent to the Varta E11
conventional 77 Ah · 760 A (EN)
Case L3 · 278 × 175 × 190 mm · + right
Same dimensions and terminal layout, the same or higher capacity and the same or better technology
See price and specs Exide EA770Volkswagen Golf Mk5 1K battery by engine
Each row groups the versions that share an engine. When an engine lists more than one battery, it is because the battery changes with the version or equipment: your number plate settles it.
| Engine | Power | Years | Fuel | With Start-Stop | Without Start-Stop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4BUD | 59 kW (80 hp) | 2007-2009 | Petrol | — | Varta C22conventional · 52 Ah · 470 A · L1 · + right |
| 1.4 16VBCA, BUD | 55-59 kW (75-80 hp) | 2003-2008 | Petrol | — | Varta C30conventional · 54 Ah · 530 A · L1 · + rightVarta D24conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right |
| 1.4 FSIBKG, BLN | 66 kW (90 hp) | 2003-2006 | Petrol | — | Varta C22conventional · 52 Ah · 470 A · L1 · + right |
| 1.4 TSIBLG, BMY, CAVD, CAXA | 90-125 kW (122-170 hp) | 2005-2009 | Petrol | — | Varta C22conventional · 52 Ah · 470 A · L1 · + rightVarta D24conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right |
| 1.6BGU, BSE, BSF, CCSA | 75 kW (102 hp) | 2004-2009 | Petrol | — | Varta D24conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + rightVarta C22conventional · 52 Ah · 470 A · L1 · + right |
| 1.6 FSIBAG, BLF, BLP | 85 kW (115 hp) | 2003-2008 | Petrol | — | Varta D24conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right |
| 1.6 MultiFuelCCSA | 75 kW (102 hp) | 2007-2009 | Petrol | — | Varta D24conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right |
| 1.8 GTI | 132 kW (179 hp) | — | Petrol | — | Varta D24conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right |
| 1.9 TDIBKC, BLS, BRU, BXE, BXF, BXJ | 66-77 kW (90-105 hp) | 2003-2009 | Diesel | Varta A7AGM · 70 Ah · 760 A · L3 · + right | Varta E11conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 1.9 TDI 4motionBKC, BLS, BXE | 77 kW (105 hp) | 2004-2009 | Diesel | — | Varta E11conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 2.0BEV, BHY | 85 kW (116 hp) | 2005-2008 | Petrol | — | Varta D24conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right |
| 2.0 FSIAXW, BLR, BLX, BLY, BVX, BVY… | 110 kW (150 hp) | 2004-2008 | Petrol | — | Varta E11conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 2.0 FSI 4motionBLX, BVX | 110 kW (150 hp) | 2004-2008 | Petrol | — | Varta E11conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 2.0 GTIAXX, BPY, BWA, BYD, CAWB, CBFA… | 147-169 kW (200-230 hp) | 2004-2009 | Petrol | — | Varta E11conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 2.0 SDIBDK | 55 kW (75 hp) | 2004-2008 | Diesel | — | Varta E11conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 2.0 TDIAZV, BMM, BMN, CBDA | 100-125 kW (136-170 hp) | 2003-2009 | Diesel | — | Varta E11conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 2.0 TDI 4motionBMM | 103 kW (140 hp) | 2007-2008 | Diesel | — | Varta E11conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 2.0 TDI 16VBKD, CBDB | 103 kW (140 hp) | 2003-2009 | Diesel | — | Varta E11conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 2.0 TDI 16V 4motionBKD | 103 kW (140 hp) | 2004-2008 | Diesel | — | Varta E11conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 2.0 TFSIBWA, CAWB, CBFA, CCTA | 147 kW (200 hp) | 2007-2009 | Petrol | — | Varta D24conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right |
| 2.5 | 110 kW (150 hp) | — | Petrol | — | Varta E11conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 3.2 | 184 kW (250 hp) | — | Petrol | — | Varta E11conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 3.2 R32 4motionBUB, CBRA | 184 kW (250 hp) | 2005-2008 | Petrol | — | Varta E11conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
With Start-Stop: versions with automatic engine stop-start, or that leave the factory with an EFB or AGM battery. Ah = capacity; A = cold cranking current (EN standard); + right/+ left = side of the positive terminal. Under each engine you will find its engine codes, handy for identifying your version.
What you should know about the Volkswagen Golf Mk5 1K
The Golf Mk5 (1K), in five-door and Estate form, has a huge range of TDI, FSI and TSI engines, and the vast majority use a 74 Ah conventional battery in an L3 case. The smaller petrol engines drop to 60 Ah in an L2 or 52 Ah in an L1. The few versions that left the factory with an AGM battery take a 70 Ah one in the same L3 case.
- Model fact: the Volkswagen Golf Mk5 1K mainly uses case sizes L3 (278 × 175 × 190 mm), L1 (207 × 175 × 190 mm) and L2 (242 × 175 × 190 mm). A battery of a different size will not sit securely in the car’s battery tray.
- General tip: if your car came from the factory with an AGM battery, replace it with another AGM; if it has an EFB, with an EFB or an AGM. A conventional battery in a Start-Stop car wears out much sooner and the system may stop working.
- General tip: on Seat, Volkswagen and Audi models with Start-Stop, the new battery is usually coded into the energy management system with a diagnostic tool, so that the alternator charges it according to its type and capacity.
- General tip: in a compact car that mixes town and open-road driving, the battery suffers most in winter and with lots of equipment switched on (heated rear window, heated seats). If cold starts become sluggish, have it checked before it leaves you stranded.
Frequently asked questions
Which battery does the Volkswagen Golf Mk5 (1K, 2003-2009) take?
With Start-Stop, the Volkswagen Golf Mk5 (1K, 2003-2009) always takes a battery like the Varta A7: AGM, 70 Ah and 760 A, in case size L3. Versions without Start-Stop take the Varta E11 (conventional, 74 Ah and 680 A); the table shows the battery for each engine.
Can I fit a standard battery in my Volkswagen Golf Mk5 with Start-Stop?
It is not recommended. If it came from the factory with an AGM battery, such as the Varta A7, the replacement should also be AGM: with an EFB or a conventional battery it wears out sooner and the Start-Stop system may stop working.
What size battery does the Volkswagen Golf Mk5 take?
Depending on the engine, the Volkswagen Golf Mk5 1K uses these case sizes: L3 (278 × 175 × 190 mm), L1 (207 × 175 × 190 mm) and L2 (242 × 175 × 190 mm); dimensions are length × width × height. Also check that the positive terminal is on the same side as on your current battery.
Does the Varta A7 fit the Volkswagen Golf Mk5 1K?
Yes, it is one of the recommended batteries for the Volkswagen Golf Mk5 1K with the 1.9 TDI engines (1 of the 23 engines in the table). For the others, check their row in the table or search by number plate.
How do I find out exactly which battery my Volkswagen Golf Mk5 takes?
Enter your number plate or chassis number (VIN) in our battery finder: it identifies the exact engine and shows you only the compatible batteries. You can also check the label on your current battery: capacity (Ah), cold cranking (A, EN standard) and technology (AGM, EFB or conventional).
Updated: · Source: battery application data by engine (KType TecDoc), the same data our number plate search uses, plus the datasheet of each battery.