How to check for fake Makita Battery in 2025

[ak_tools]

I have noticed that recently, there has been a flood of fake Makita 18V LXT battery in Australia (good copy).

At a first glance, it is almost identical to the genuine battery, the packaging and label is seems a bit odd to me but for an average person who don't handle it everyday, they would not know.

The sellers of these fake battery, knowing or unknowing listed them as GENUINE Makita battery.

How to check for fake Makita Battery.

The letter V on (18V), does not have a tiny split on the top on the fake battery.

There's no gaps on (18V),  The real battery has a micro gap between each character on (18V).

The letter L is thinner, as well as the 5.0Ah is also thinner.

The trademark logo (R) printed on the fake battery is smaller than the original.

Here is a photo for comparison.

https://aktools.com.au/blogs/news/how-to-check-for-fake-makita-battery

I hope this helps the community and weed out those selling fake batteries, they are dangerous and fatal.

[sandypebbles]

I would never in a million years buy a battery from a seller on eBay. Never

But I'm sorry, the regulars who read the forum are very well aware of this

We have been telling others who come here and complain they bought fake and got fake

The buyers who insist on buying from sellers registered in China who have feedback in the toilet

Where the description clearly states it is 'unbranded'

But the buyer comes on the forum and complains they bought a 'Mikita'

Sorry, they simply do not care about anything other than the 'cheap' price

They do not care about the risks/safety issues

Use the search box for yourself and you will see how many people ignore every warning members have been giving for years, and who also ignore the item description and the fact the seller is dodgy as the day is long

[countessalmirena]

I appreciate the OP’s information - and I hope it will stop some from buying a soi-disant “Makita” battery on eBay.

I’m not sure whether there are any authorised dealers of Makita on eBay… and frankly I don’t see the need (for myself), given that TotalT(etc) and SydneyT(etc), to name just two, are literally within 15-20 min… and multiples of them are within 20-30 min… and to top it off, both of these authorised companies have an online presence and can deliver.

Buying tools, batteries, etc., are best done in person (in my opinion). I have had such helpful and friendly advice at the above stores, and I have the confidence of knowing I have genuine Makita batteries, charger, and specific tools/equipment.

Has anyone here looked on eBay for a genuine authorised Makita dealer? I’m feeling too exhausted to check (I’m on my phone and searching sellers on eBay from the phone is more laborious than on the computer).

[sandypebbles]

Only one authorised seller for Mikita batteries shows when I check

[imastawka]

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@sandypebbles wrote:

Only one authorised seller for Mikita batteries shows when I check

How about Makita?

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[countessalmirena]

😉😁

🪛🪚🛠️🔨🗜️🧰⚙️🔋🪫🔌

[sandypebbles]

Them too. Just one listed as an authorised seller for Makita batteries

I must have meant the sister of the lady in the Elton John song earlier 

[padi*0409]

Thanks for the heads-up, I've got a fair few 18volt Makita power tools, in the early days I got caught with fake batteries and ditched them.

Even with the genuine ones I don't leave them charging overnight though.

[countessalmirena]

padi, I only charge them when I’m physically present; like you, I’d not leave them to charge overnight.

[springyzone]

I agree with almost every word you wrote.

We  regulars are well aware of the dangers lurking on ebay and I doubt you'd get many of us buying a 'genuine mikita' from a random seller.

I'm not so sure about casual buyers though.

If they read the ebay guides, (I doubt most do, but if they  did) then they might see the conditions ebay writes about, where lezned I think it was, pointed out ebay says sellers must only list items that comply with Australian standards.

I also think a lot of casual buyers believe it if they read something has a '3 year guarantee' or whatever.

And I suspect quite a few think that if they buy from China, then what is the difference, as it is just cutting out the middleman as most stuff comes from China anyway.

I'm not saying a lot of buyers are not lured in by the cheap prices, they are, but I am also convinced many just don't know how to do the homework, they often have no idea, for instance, that item and seller location are not the same thing.

I don't think we can do a thing about it. AK tools has great advice and I hope it helps someone but as this is a small forum, I get the feeling that all we can do sometimes is help people with what to avoid next time.

Until ebay itself tightens things up, we are going to see buyers caught out. Often they haven't done their homework but I think often they just don't know what to look for.