A good multitool is a glovebox essential. These mini marvels give you a fighting chance of carrying out roadside repairs such as tightening a hose clamp, remaking an electrical connection or removing cover panels. But the choice is wide, with most designs having a dozen or more tools, some of little use to the motorist. We scanned the Internet and accessory shops to gather nine of the biggest sellers for this test.

We assessed the screwdrivers on several sizes of screw, while the blades and scissors tackled bunched fabric and pliers were put through their paces on flex and wire. Tools had to open easily and lock in place.