Skip advert
Advertisement

Car polishes and waxes

Buff up in the first part of our two- week Spring Car Care Special with Britain's biggest-ever polish test.

Want the ultimate protection for your car? Then look no further than this, the ultimate test! In another British first, Auto Express has put 19 top waxes and polishes on trial.

Diamond-hard protection, luxurious carnauba wax, brilliant shine, no-grief polishing... in no other sector of the car valeting market are the manufacturers' promises bigger or bolder.

But do they match up to reality? We braved the hail, rain, snow and ice in order to bring you the truth. We scoured the high street accessory shop shelves and the Internet to assemble this megatest.

So which one comes out on top? The next four pages will reveal all. And next week, we will show you the best and worst ways to keep your car spotless.

Verdict

It is very hard to look past Turtle Wax in these results. The US manufacturer may produce a massive range, but it really does have a handle on exactly how to make durable polishes.

Accordingly, Turtle Wax takes the top three spots with its Gloss Guard, Platinum and ClearVue, and has no less than six products finishing in our top 10.Newcomer Rain Dance impresses, and it's a promising debut for the new Original liquid from Simoniz. The top 10 is completed by chain store giant Halfords' Williams F1 wax and the Armor All Protectant.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £27,145Avg. savings £2,518 off RRP*Used from £16,150
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £23,990Avg. savings £1,481 off RRP*
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,502 off RRP*Used from £10,295
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £6,056 off RRP*Used from £10,399
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New BYD Sealion 5 DM-i is a bargain alternative to the Kia Sportage
BYD Sealion 5 DM-i - front static

New BYD Sealion 5 DM-i is a bargain alternative to the Kia Sportage

Chinese giant is pitching its new plug-in SUV at the mainstream elite, but undercuts them on price
News
14 Jan 2026
New AUDI E5 Sportback 2026 review: the best car Audi has built in decades
AUDI E5 Sportback - front tracking

New AUDI E5 Sportback 2026 review: the best car Audi has built in decades

This is the first car from Audi's China-focused sub-brand, and it's a real shame that we won't be getting it
Road tests
16 Jan 2026
Volkswagen ID. Tiguan spied with brand new body and interior
Volkswagen ID. Tiguan - front 3/4

Volkswagen ID. Tiguan spied with brand new body and interior

The transformation from ID.4 to ID. Tiguan will be big, as VW preps one its most important new cars of 2026
News
15 Jan 2026