Skip advert
Advertisement

Wheel cleaner mini test

Can the new wheel cleaner from HubiKote compete with our reigning chap?

If you let the brake dust and winter road grime stay on your wheels, it does much more than just leave your car looking dirty. The filth can damage your rims, and repairs can be expensive.

Specialist cleaners shift baked-on dirt, and the latest to arrive is HubiKote’s new Hubi Wheels. It claims to be extremely powerful, so we rated it against our current champ, Bilt-Hamber Auto Wheel, which has just got a new scent.

Advertisement - Article continues below

There were weeks of road dirt on our filthy wheel – as the left front alloy of a front-wheel-drive hatchback, it accumulated more brake dust and gutter grime than any other wheel on our test car.

We applied each product according to its instructions and assessed ease of use, before seeing which removed the most dirt. Value for money was the final factor in our test.

Hubi Wheels changes colour as it works, and removed a lot of dirt. But the Bilt-Hamber offered similar performance and better value, with a litre bottle to its rival’s 500ml. And the new smell masks the eggy odour that used to be our only gripe with the product.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,690Avg. savings £5,308 off RRP*Used from £10,299
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,255Avg. savings £1,912 off RRP*Used from £7,299
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £3,266 off RRP*Used from £13,200
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,502 off RRP*Used from £10,295
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

The new petrol and diesel car ban is nothing more than state-sponsored bullying
Opinion - diesel pump

The new petrol and diesel car ban is nothing more than state-sponsored bullying

Mike Rutherford thinks the Government should allow motorists to buy new petrol and diesel cars well into the 2030s
Opinion
11 Jan 2026
New Peugeot 208: square steering wheel and stunning new looks for EV supermini
New Peugeot 208 exclusive image - front

New Peugeot 208: square steering wheel and stunning new looks for EV supermini

Fresh all-electric supermini will trigger a new era of cutting-edge technology for Peugeot, including a Hypersquare steering yoke
News
12 Jan 2026
Car Deal of the Day: Posh Volvo XC40 SUV for Qashqai money
Volvo XC40 - front full width

Car Deal of the Day: Posh Volvo XC40 SUV for Qashqai money

The XC40 is a comfortable, stylish and aspirational SUV available at a surprisingly affordable price. It's our Deal of the Day for January 11.
News
11 Jan 2026