Car Mats

November 2005

There's nothing like a grubby carpet to knock hundreds off the value of your car. Faded fabric, holes and bald patches are a big turn-off for potential buyers. Replacement floor coverings can cost hundreds, so it pays to protect the originals with aftermarket mats.

These have made great strides in recent years, and manufacturers have livened up designs by using different materials, metal panels, logos and colour coding. While mats tailored especially for your vehicle are the best option, the cost can be prohibitive - and universal versions often do as good a job of protecting the original carpet from grime, fading and general wear and tear. Many have trim lines to ensure a close fit.

When buying, you need to match the material to the way you use your car. Carpet that blends in with your current interior trim may look good, but can prove tricky to clean. And if you do lots of driving in the countryside, consider rubber mats, which can be quickly washed with a hose.

We tried the mats in a 2001 Volkswagen Golf to see how well they fitted, and whether they moved when getting in and out of the car or when driving.

To judge durability, we smeared in mud and grease, then measured how much was left after we cleaned up. We also ground a boot heel into each mat to assess wear resistance. Finally, the price of all our test products was considered.

Verdict

They might not appear particularly special, but Halfords' standard mats proved to meet most of the criteria we set for this test. Not only did they fit well, they also repelled stains better than their £20 price would suggest.

While not as durable, the Profile mats are great value if you want them for less intensive use. And although the RaceX offerings won't suit all tastes, they fitted well and were tough.

Top 3

1. Halfords Black
2. Profile Autones Quadri Sport
3. RaceX Daimond Pattern

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