MY Panasonic battery, on its very last legs in the frost today & I decided to replace it. A quick look around here and elswhere suggests Yuasa are the make to go for. On theYuasa site & on Halfords and GSF etc, say the 053 is the one to have for my NB
Well I’m here to say, it does not fit. It is too tall. At best, a new different or heavily modified clamp would be required, and it would still stick up over the boot floor. Plus the cable tabs/blob things are too small requiring spacers (provided). That’s just, Yuk.
So I went for the Yuasa 063, which is a good height, proper size blobs, but wider footprint and is going to require a minor mod to the factory clamp, plus a rubber mat.
Neither seem on first glance to have the vent holes for the mazda vent pipes to fit on to.
Incidentally, nothing in Halfords current range own brand or Yuasa is a straight swap in size for the Panasonic previously fitted. Harumph.
Clearly I have the wrong battery, but it is in now. More harrrumphing.
Nothing beats the original Panasonic AGM battery for the NB, still available from MX5parts or a Mazda dealer for, in my opinion, a pretty decent price for what it is.
The Yuasa 065 is doing Ok so far. I’m teaching my son to drive and he drives everywhere at 100 stalls an hour. It’s freezing temps and the battery is holding up well, unlike my nerves.
Excellent setup, used to be parked up for 6 months, now 3months max always starts first click of the key … Fourth unit Aug’25:, WESTCO SEALED MX-5 BATTERY since car was new in March 2002. 1.8L Sport. Along with, since 2019, an OPTIMATE 4 12V BATTERY CHARGER / OPTIMISER with Isolator switch. It all just fits and works …
