The method according to the invention for producing a secondary battery has the following steps: S1: provision of a used battery or secondary battery requiring disposal, said battery having at least one used secondary cell, the used secondary cell comprising one or more used secondary cells, S2: removal of at least one of the used secondary cells from the used secondary battery, S3: detection of at least one physical parameter, said physical parameter allowing conclusions to be drawn about the functional capability of the used secondary cell and/or reading of operating data relating to the used secondary cell, said operating data allowing conclusions to be drawn about the functional capability of the used secondary cell, S4: classification of the used secondary cell, S5: reconditioning of the used secondary cell if the physical parameter and/or the operating data indicate(s) an insufficient functional capability of the used secondary cell, S6: insertion of the used secondary cell into a receptacle of the secondary battery under production, S7: transmission of operating instructions to the battery control device of the secondary battery under production, said operating instructions being selected in accordance with the physical parameter and/or in accordance with the operating data.