Category: Accessories & Tyres

Blast away grime with our pick of the best powerful pressure washer cleaners on sale

There’s nothing like a pressure washer to take the strain out of car cleaning, but even if you own one, a stream of new models can tempt you to upgrade.

Makers aren’t just chasing higher outputs, but also safety; too much power can damage a car. Kärcher has its own pressure monitoring and guide system, and rivals are offering more compact units, hoping to draw buyers with limited storage. So which of Continue reading “Best pressure washers 2020: group test review”

Want to avoid traffic lights, queues and speed cameras? Here are the best portable sat-navs to guide you through the traffic

Satellite navigation systems have become an everyday tool for UK motorists and if a car doesn’t have sat-nav built-in, there’s a very good chance that a portable sat-nav system will be employed by its driver. There are many free sat-nav apps for smartphones, but they work off your mobile phone data so it may be better to rely on a dedicated sat-nav unit.

As you Continue reading “Best sat-navs 2020: group test review”

With Christmas just under a month away, we list 20 top motoring gift ideas on a budget

Buying a present for the motoring enthusiast in your life doesn’t need to break the bank. We’ve rounded up 20 Christmas gifts here for young and old alike, all fun, fabulous, and less than £50.

So whether you want a present that’s small enough to stuff in a stocking or something a little more substantial, you’ll find it here.

• Winter car checklist: driving kit and best buys

Remember, Continue reading “Cheap Christmas car gifts under £50 2019”

A full used buyer’s guide on the Fiat 500L covering the 500L Mk1 (2013-date)VerdictThe 500L offers much of the funkiness of its smaller sibling, if not all of the cuteness. But a poor Driver Power rating suggests that it isn’t the most accomplished used buy. The 500L could be personalised extensively, so establish exactly what you’re getting for your money. Some of the extras worth seeking out include a heated windscreen, leather trim and a rear parking camera. We’re less convinced Continue reading “Used Fiat 500L review”

Spray guns are fine for most car-related jobs, but which is the best to choose? We test eight to find out…

For really tough car cleaning jobs you need a pressure washer, but most of the time using a spray gun with a garden hose will be enough. Many guns offer a choice of pre-set modes, some of which are specifically for gardens, while others can be used on your car. These include jet, shower, mist, flat and cone sprays.

Of the various types, plastic (or ABS) guns are lighter and more Continue reading “Best hose spray guns 2019”

Which is the best wheel brush to loosen hard-to-reach grime? We look at nine top buys

Like wheel cleaners, these products need to be tough enough to shift the baked-on grime, but not so aggressive that they damage the lacquer. The best also have to be able to reach the inner rim and between spokes. 

So which is the one to clean up when the going gets tough? We got down and dirty with eight of the best wheel brushes to find out.

How we tested them

At the heart of this test is cleaning. Continue reading “Best wheel brushes 2019: group test”

We shine a light on the brightest performers as we pick our best car headlight bulbs

Car makers are moving towards adaptive LED headlights and even laser units, but the humble halogen bulb is still the most common headlight.

The technology has survived thanks to continued development of these filament-based lamps. Aftermarket performance bulbs started out promising 30 per cent more light within the beam than a standard version, but that figure is now at 150 per cent.

As a result, our Continue reading “Best car headlight bulbs 2019”

A full used buyer’s guide on the Nissan Pulsar coverin the Pulsar Mk1 (2014-2018)VerdictFew cars of the past decade have as low a profile as this small family hatch, but don’t be put off. The Pulsar is no class leader, but it’s refined and well equipped, plus you get plenty for your money. When you consider that you can buy a Tekna edition with less than 30,000 miles on the clock for £8,000, the Pulsar can make a lot of sense. It’s also a comfy car and it’s very family-friendly with Continue reading “Used Nissan Pulsar review”

A full used buyer’s guide on the Mercedes GLE covering the GLE Mk3 (2012-2019)VerdictWhile the original ML-Class wasn’t very impressive, the second take was a more accomplished car, and Mercedes built on this for the ML Mk3/GLE. With strong and efficient engines, plenty of space and a luxurious cabin, the GLE feels every inch the premium product, but you’ll need deep pockets to buy and run one. This is also a superb towcar thanks to its high hauling capacity and four-wheel drive; this Continue reading “Used Mercedes GLE review”

Find the perfect soft storage to keep your kit and car tidy with our pick of the best tool bags on saleIf you need to carry tools in your car, a tough bag is generally cheaper than a metal or plastic toolbox, and their material construction is less likely to damage your car’s interior. In addition, softer handles and a shoulder strap mean they should be easier to carry, too.

Size is important, with the capacity of your car’s boot and whether you want to carry an emergency kit or something Continue reading “Best tool bags 2019”