Yes shops can test batteries in about 20 seconds flat if they have the right gear. An auto electrical workshop is bound to have a hydrometer and load tester.
Whether or not they just recommend a new one anyway is up to their integrity, most are pretty straight up.
You can do a rough and ready test yourself if you have a multimeter. Check fluid levels. Take a reading, charge it, check it takes at least a 13.8v charge, remove it from the charger, wait 5 minutes then take another reading, then leave on the bench for 24 hours, take another reading, the further it has dropped the less "life" it has left in it. If its below about 12.5v don't shag around with it, buy another.
There seems to be two trains of thought on batteries, buy a standard battery and factor in replacing it reasonably regularly if you ride intermittently, or spend shit loads on the latest greatest and hope it lives up to the marketers claims.
I chose the first and replace mine about every three years for a bout $90 a time.
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