Kim has worked for Auto Express for more than three decades and all but a year of that time in the Products section. He was part of the team that created the section and the product testing programme back in the mid 1990s which has grown to become a key part of the brand’s USP.

He’s been a journalist all his working life but cars were always a passion and a hobby, first simply keeping his daily on the road then as an amateur club racer. When he joined Auto Express and the products section was created he was that man searching the accessory shop shelves and often being disappointed with what he bought. Product testing meant others need not make the same mistakes.

His current role as products editor involves managing the section’s content and team of testers plus doing some of the tests. Over the years he has tackled most sectors but his current areas include tyres, car care and battery chargers. 

A decade as motorsport competitor was the ideal background for the tyre testing which started in 1998. He is still competing some 40 years later and has won multiple regional speed championships. Preparing the car also gave a good background in DIY mechanics.

He is a two-time winner of the Guild of Motoring Writers Consumer Journalist of the Year award.

Kim says...

"My job means I get paid for doing something I would be doing anyway whether that’s track driving, repairing cars or cleaning them. One of the reasons I have stayed so long with the brand is that it knows how important the aftermarket is for drivers and puts resources in to covering it unlike most rivals. Our testing is a key part of that and is of real benefit to motorists."

Kim’s main areas of expertise

• Tyres
• Car care
• Battery chargers
• Headlamp bulbs

Kim Adams Q&A

Q: What was your first car?

A: "My first car was a Reliant Regal Supervan like Del Boy’s, but it was green. It meant I could ditch my motorbike and drive at 16."

Q: What is your dream car?

A: "My dream car is a reliable S1 Lotus Elise."

Q: If you could change one thing about cars, driving or the car industry today what would it be?

"Poor motorway lane discipline. Middle-lane hoggers are always a pain but reach new levels of exasperation when towing a car transporter, which I do frequently, and the third lane is out of bounds."

Social media and e-mail

• Email: products@autoexpress.co.uk
• LinkedIn: Kim Adams