Varta F5 · Car battery 12V 88Ah 740A

Varta F5 Dynamic SLI (formerly Black Dynamic) 88Ah 740A 12V Car Battery

The Varta F5 car battery is the 12 V, 88 Ah model delivering 740 A of cold cranking power (EN), from Varta's Dynamic SLI (formerly Black Dynamic) range, designed for cars with conventional starting, without a Start-Stop system. Its 353 × 175 × 175 mm dimensions and positive terminal on the right make it the exact replacement for the 88 Ah battery fitted as standard in many cars.

In short: the Varta F5 (88 Ah, 740 A, 353 × 175 × 175 mm, positive terminal on the right). It is a conventional battery for cars without Start-Stop: if yours has Start-Stop, it needs an EFB or AGM battery of the same size.

• Direct replacement for the original battery in cars without Start-Stop.
• Reliable cold starting thanks to its high cranking current.
• Long service life with normal use and a charging system in good order.
• Maintenance-free lead-acid technology: no topping up with water.

Vehicles compatible with the Varta F5 battery

The Varta F5 is compatible with more than 18 vehicles: it is fitted as standard or as a replacement by makes such as Volvo, Opel, Vauxhall, Maserati and Avia. For anyone who needs to change the battery in their Volvo or Opel, this Varta F5 reproduces the original specifications. Not sure whether it is the right one for your car? Check in seconds by entering your registration number in our finder.

Format and fitting of the Varta F5

Its external dimensions are 353 × 175 × 175 mm and it weighs 20.6 kg. The positive terminal on the right determines which side the cables end up on: this is the detail behind more wrong purchases than any other, so it is worth checking before you order. It takes a B13 hold-down and terminal 1, the system that anchors it to the vehicle's battery tray. For the swap to be direct, the space left by the current battery must respect those three dimensions and the same terminal layout; otherwise adapters will be needed or the hold-down would have to change.

The Varta F5 and the Dynamic SLI range

The Dynamic SLI range is Varta's conventional starter series for cars and vans without a Start-Stop system (identified by the blue label in Varta's new system; it replaces the former Blue, Black and Silver Dynamic). It uses lead-calcium technology with PowerFrame grids that reduce self-discharge and extend service life with no maintenance.

It is the balanced option in the catalogue: it covers most of the European fleet of conventional petrol and diesel vehicles, with ample starting power and excellent value for money.

Compared with an EFB or AGM Start-Stop battery, this range prioritises a keen price and punchy starting in conventional cars. With proper care — avoiding deep discharges and keeping an eye on the alternator — a battery from this series gives several years of trouble-free service. This battery used to belong to Varta's Black Dynamic, Silver Dynamic or Black Dynamic range; following the brand's commercial renaming (2025), it now forms part of the new Dynamic SLI series.

Why choose a Varta battery

Choosing Varta means sticking with the reference the vehicle manufacturer itself signed off in the first place. Against own-brand batteries, the difference is not the purchase price but how many winters the battery lasts before it leaves you stranded.

Varta batteries are made under the Clarios group with German technology and quality controls that make them one of the best-selling choices in Europe. As a lead battery, it is 100% recyclable through any collection point.

Varta's production combines automated lines with verification of more than 100 parameters per unit; that traceability is what underpins its reputation for reliable starting throughout the battery's life.

Manufacturer's warranty

The Varta F5 battery comes with the official manufacturer warranty.

Care and maintenance

To get the most out of it, keep the alternator in good order and avoid leaving lights or accessories on with the engine switched off. Repeated very short journeys are its worst enemy: they stop the battery from recharging fully and shorten its life. If the car is going to stand for weeks, it is worth disconnecting a terminal or fitting a trickle charger so that it does not discharge below the safe threshold. Checking that the terminals are clean and properly tightened also helps it start first time.